Abbey Forbes: collegiate star now running to new adventures
"I've never been called an influencer before, I don't know if I deserve that, but I'm honored."
With that, Charlotte, N.C., resident and former North Carolina and UCLA student-athlete Abbey Forbes reflected on the last two years since she and her Tar Heel tennis teammates claimed the 2023 NCAA Championship.
Forbes went 76-21 in singles and 60-23 in doubles in her decorated college career while earning All-American honors twice.
Forbes, the 2019 Wimbledon girls’ doubles champion and USTA Girls’ 18s doubles champ, is staying involved in tennis, running marathons and putting herself out there as a role model for young girls.
"It was a very bittersweet moment at NCAAs during my last match,” offered Forbes, who holds degrees from both North Carolina and UCLA. "I lost my last match, but I honestly felt accomplished. I felt I did my best, I gave it my all to my sport and left tennis very peacefully. I was excited about what was next.”
Forbes stays connected to tennis as a teaching professional at Barclay Downs Swim and Racquet Club in Charlotte, N.C.
She also enjoys following her brother Matthew, currently one of the top collegiate players in the country at Michigan State. Matthew is the reigning USTA Boys’ 18s champion and a 2024 USTA Southern Dewitt Redgrave III Junior Achievement Award winner.
"Having my brother Matthew still in the sport has helped me move on. Supporting him whenever he needs me. I stay in collegiate tennis through him."
Forbes' social media followers have also had a front row seat to watch her train for and run a recent marathon. Here is Abbey on TikTok and Instagram.
The social media posts leading up to her completing a marathon in March had let to more exposure and more people following Forbes' life. She's aware and she appreciates each person who "likes" her posts or watches her "silly little videos."
Abbey Forbes was an two-time All-American at UNC. Photo: UNC
"I would say is a little kindness goes a long way," advises Forbes. "Especially if you are a teenage girl, you can get caught up in things. I come from a very humble beginning and a humble family. There was nothing about me that was innately special, but I (always) believe putting kindness into the world, means you will get kindness out of it."
"A lot of people don't know, I've been running for years. Since my freshman or sophomore year of high school. Running was cross-training for me. Just like (tennis), running has opened up a lot of avenues. It's a new community and about exploring what my body can do outside of tennis."
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