Get To Know Your Tennis Service Representative

Carli Connors has been around tennis her entire life. The USTA St. Louis Tennis Service Representative (TSR) played competitively as a junior, had a storied prep career at Belleville West High School in the Metro East & played four successful years at the University of Southern Illinois – Edwardsville (SIUE). 

As a child, she learned to play the game from her father. You sometimes hear stories about how the parent/child coaching relationship can sour.  For Connors, that could not be further from reality. She said it was not always easy, but it was one of the best experiences of her life.

“My dad and I have a bond that cannot be broken,” she said. “He was the most amazing coach, father, cheerleader and friend - all while teaching me the wonderful game we all know and love. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't all unicorns and rainbows - but that's what made him the best coach I could have ever asked for.”

Connors excelled on the court in her prep career, culminating with a third-place finish at No. 1 doubles at the Illinois State High School Tennis tournament. She went on to play all four years at No. 1 singles and doubles at SIUE, where she earned Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

She credits her father for much of her success.

“When we stepped on the tennis court, he was my tennis coach. When we got into the car leaving the tennis club, he was my dad,” Connors said. “He knew when to wear his coach hat and when to wear his dad hat. I will forever cherish the moments and memories I have with my dad while being my tennis coach. He gave me the greatest gift in the world - he taught me how to play tennis. He taught me well!”

Connors hopes she can pass on those very gifts to others in the St. Louis area as TSR. She wants to keep tennis on the map, promote & educate the area on the fun of the game. 

Before she began working with USTA St. Louis, she was a full-time teaching pro. Unfortunately, the rigors of the profession are no longer possible, but Connors knew tennis was not something she wanted to leave behind. Why? To her, tennis is not just a game.

“Tennis teaches you life lessons. For me, somehow and some way, tennis is always fixed into my everyday life,” she said. “It teaches you patience, commitment, determination, hustle, love and so much more. I love that tennis is a lifelong sport. Tennis is something you can pick up at any age or you can start young and finish old.”

Since tennis is currently not in the cards, you can find Connors in her neighborhood walking her three-year-old dog, Arie, to stay active. She said getting outside often is a great way to stay upbeat.