Tennis is family for 2025 Slew Hester Player of the Year Michelle D. Williams

Ask Michelle D. Wiliams what winning the 2025 Slew Hester Player of the Year award means to her and she'll tell you it's all about "perspective."

"Winning this award means a lot to me but I like to keep things in perspective. I really love the game of tennis. I love to compete. I love to practice. I love to play tournaments. I enjoy the travel, the team events and the friendships along the way."

The Slew Hester Adult Player Award is presented annually to a ranked male and female adult or senior player in recognition of their outstanding tennis performance. Matthew Hane, of John’s Island, S.C., was the male winner.

And "outstanding" is what Williams, of Knoxville, Tenn., has been over her career as has every tennis-playing member of her family. 

Numerous family tennis achievements

Her father Mike DePalmer was the head men's coach at the University of Tennessee from 1980-94 and is enshrined in the ITA Hall of Fame. Her husband Bob played tennis at Duke from 1983-87 and won All-ACC accolades twice in his career. Her son Rhyne played professionally after earning All-American accolades twice at Tennessee from 2009-11. Her daughter Jennifer enjoyed an All-Big South Conference career at Birmingham Southern College from 2002-06 and her daughter Caitlyn was a nationally-ranked doubles player at Tennessee before turning professional.

That's quite a family résumé, but Williams' accomplishments hold up against any member of the family. Williams was a 1981 All-American at the University of Tennessee, while bringing home All-SEC honors in 1981 and 1983. Following a standout career with the Lady Vols, she turned professional and reached as high as No. 90 in the world on the WTA Tour.

Williams, 62, explained. "I enjoy the travel, the team events and the friendships along the way.  I have friends from juniors and am amazed how small the tennis community is. I try not to focus on winning but instead stay focused on keeping my love for the game."

2025 accomplishments include reaching the finals of the Alice Marble Cup (W60) at the ITF Seniors World Team Championships in Florida. In previous years, she has won numerous Gold Balls, given to USTA national champions.

Teaching provides rewards

For Williams, winning pales in comparison to the lessons tennis teaches.

"Teaching (tennis) the number one thing I always instilled in my players was that tennis is a sport of a lifetime! It teaches so many life lessons as well. Tennis taught them how to compete, fight, stick up for themselves, work hard, eat healthy, manage their time, discipline, train, make good decisions and so much more! The skills you still use today off the tennis court!"

Before the women's tennis program was dropped, Williams served as a member of the University of Tennessee at Martin tennis staff as a volunteer assistant under her daughter, head coach Caitlyn Williams.

As 2025 wraps and we head into 2026, Williams says she's grateful and reflects on advice from her father and goals for the future.

"My dad had a great saying he drilled in my head. ‘Love every single minute you are on the tennis court, there are a lot worse places you could be.’ I hope I am still winning Gold Balls in my 80s!"