National

In their own words: Jeri Ingram on supporting the next generation

Edited by Peter Francesconi | February 13, 2025

As we celebrate Black History Month throughout February, we look toward leaders in tennis who are working to spread this sport far and wide, reaching deep into communities to impact youth and adults on many levels. This month, you'll meet USTA national volunteer leaders who are telling their first-person stories and who recognize the influences family, friends, teachers and coaches have had on the direction their lives and careers have taken—and how that direction is positively impacting the newest generations. Today, meet Jeri Ingram.

 

My transition from a player on the WTA Tour to a coach and ultimately to an NJTL leader is marked by one of the most important relationships in my life. Twenty-five years ago, I met an individual by the name of Angela. She was in the sixth grade at the time, and an honor roll student, in Southeast Washington, DC. Angela showed up one day at the tennis courts for our NJTL program, then she continued to come back every day. 

This journey with Angela was life-changing for her—and also for me. Seeing her develop as both a player and a person was what solidified in me this deep passion I feel for this game, for what it brings to people, and for the tennis community. It made this sport and this industry come alive—well beyond what my playing career had done. Angela is now an accomplished adult with a thriving career, who continues to play league tennis regularly. And we remain strongly connected—we are like family to each other, and that’s what this sport does.

 

My own tennis journey started in the public parks and, appropriately enough, with family—when my father, Joe Ingram, took me to play tennis with him after school. Once I decided I wanted tennis to be my sport of choice, he supported me every step of the way. It was his vision that got me to Florida to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy at an early age, which gave me a first glimpse of knowing that I had the skills to play high-performance tennis. Together, we began our journey from the public parks to the WTA Tour.

Jeri Ingram posing for a photo after being inducted into the Montgomery County (Md.) Hall of Fame.

[Editor’s note: As a junior, Jeri won three USTA national titles on her way to No. 6 singles and No. 1 doubles rankings, and her high school record of 116-0 remains unbroken. She played No. 1 for the University of Maryland and went undefeated in the Atlantic Coast Conference. On the WTA Tour from 1989 to 1998, Jeri reached No. 130 in the world and won five ITF titles, and also competed in 14 Grand Slam tournaments, including eight US Opens. In addition to being a USTA High Performance Coach, Jeri has also coached at Georgetown University and Bowie State University. She was inducted into the Montgomery County (Md.) Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.]

Jeri Ingram with tennis legend Arthur Ashe when they first met at Ingram's first national tournament.

Currently, I’m the Founder and Executive Director of the Metropolitan Tennis & Education Group (MTEG), a 501c3. In my role, I lead MTEG’s operations and development of the tennis, education, social, community service and life skills programs in Maryland and Washington, DC. It’s thrilling to know that we’ve so far provided programs to more than 10,000 students and graduated over 150 high school seniors with tennis & education college scholarships, several professional tennis players, and many other awards. 

 

In fact, MTEG has a great relationship with several HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), especially in the Washington and Baltimore areas—more than 30 of MTEG program graduates have attended or currently attend an HBCU. And another great program that I’m proud to be affiliated with is Jack and Jill Inc., in Prince George's County, Md.; it’s great to see a formal relationship between the USTA and Jack and Jill Inc., which will impact so many young lives.

I feel it’s so important for all of us to continue to give back to this industry, and I’ve been a longtime volunteer in this sport, serving on a number of committees and in various capacities at the national, sectional and district levels. Currently, I’m a member of the USTA’s National Nominating Committee. 

 

I’ve also been fortunate to have many people in my life who have helped guide me, including my father. But two in particular also continue to have a long-lasting impact. Arthur Ashe was a mentor for both me and my father, right from the time I met him at a 10-and-under national tournament in Flushing Meadows. Whenever I was around Arthur, who passed away in 1993, he would help me tremendously with my game, and he would coach me via telephone, too. I still live by his philosophies daily.

Former WTA Tour player and USTA President Katrina Adams has mentored me from the time I first met her—as a junior player, as a rookie WTA player, as an NJTL leader, and in the USTA governance space. Her expertise and passions align with mine and the opportunity to gain insight and knowledge from her is always an honor and a privilege. She’s family!

 

My goal in my life—with so much thanks, respect and credit for all that Katrina, Arthur, my father and others have done for me—is to integrate tennis and education while supporting youth, helping boys and girls to reach their full potential both on and off the tennis court. 

 

Tennis truly is a family—we’re there to celebrate our successes, we’re there to lift each other up when we need the support, and we’re there to help each other grow, no matter what phase of our lives or careers we’re in. I’m thrilled to be a part of this family.

Jeri Ingram hits a forehand at a WTA tournament.
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