National

Black History Month Profile: 

Michael Mmoh

Erin Maher  |  February 20, 2018
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Michael Mmoh of the United States returns a shot against Evan King (not pictured) of the United States in their men's singles qualifying third round match prior to the start of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for USTA)
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In celebration of Black History Month, USTA.com is taking a look at several talented, young African-American players who are following in the footsteps of pioneering players like Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters and seem ready to make their own mark in tennis. Here is a look at Michael Mmoh. 

 

Twenty-year-old Michael Mmoh started 2018 off with bang, advancing to his first ATP quarterfinal, as a qualifier, at the Brisbane International, knocking out world No. 33 Mischa Zverev along the way. The former junior star transitioned to the pro tour in 2016 and has continued his ascent, taking two USTA Pro Circuit Challenger titles and finishing two straight years in the world’s Top 200. Here’s more on the ATP #NextGen contender.

 

Age: 20

Height: 6-1

Residence: Bradenton, Fla

Current rank: 174

 

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  • Mmoh won his first USTA Pro Circuit Challenger title in Knoxville, Tenn., in 2016 and his second in Lexington, Ky., in 2017. He has also captured four Futures titles in his career, including three that he won before turning 18. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 141 last September.
  • Mmoh has competed in two Grand Slam main draws to date. He made his Grand Slam main-draw debut at the 2016 US Open as a wild card after winning the Boys' 18s National title. He also competed as a wild card at the 2017 Australian Open after winning the USTA Pro Circuit Australian Open Wild Card Challenge.
  • Before turning pro in 2016, Mmoh had a successful junior career, in which he reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2 in August 2015. Among his junior highlights, he won the USTA Boys’ 18 National Championship in 2016, advanced to the boys’ semifinals at the French Open in 2015 and led the U.S. Junior Davis Cup team to the title in 2014.
  • Born in Saudi Arabia, Mmoh began playing tennis at the age of three with his father, Tony, a former ATP player and member of the Nigerian Davis Cup and Olympic teams. Tony reached a career-high ranking of No. 105 in October 1987.
  • Mmoh is named after basketball legend Michael Jordan.

 

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