Women’s History Month: Jessica McMillen Champions Growth for Women’s Tennis in Austin
AUSTIN — For Jessica McMillen, tennis has always been about more than the game — it’s about building community, creating opportunity and empowering women and girls to step confidently onto the court.
“As women step on the court, it becomes a safe space,” McMillen said. “It’s where they build resilience, develop athletic skills and support one another.”
During Women’s History Month, McMillen’s impact stands out across Central Texas, where she has spent years growing the game through grassroots programming, leadership roles and major professional events.
One of her most visible contributions has been her involvement in helping coordinate volunteers and special events for the ATX Open, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250-level tournament since 2022 that has quickly become a staple in Austin’s sports calendar. What began as a “homegrown effort,” she said, has grown into a citywide celebration of women’s professional tennis.
“The first year, everyone wanted to be involved,” McMillen said. “Now, it’s not just the tennis community — all of Austin loves this tournament.”
The event has brought top-tier athletes to the city and inspired a new generation of players. For young girls watching from the stands, McMillen said, the impact is immediate: “They see the best in the world and think, ‘I want to do that.’”
Her influence extends well beyond professional events. McMillen’s work with USTA Texas and Junior Team Tennis earned her the organization’s 2023 Best of Texas Tennis Junior Team Tennis Organizer achievement, reflecting her commitment to youth development.
She emphasizes the power of team-based play in a traditionally individual sport.
“Girls develop a sense of belonging, confidence and leadership,” she said. “There’s nothing better than being part of a team.”
Jessica McMillen, Business Development Director - Capital Area Tennis Association
McMillen (second right) and staff from the Capital Area Tennis Association pose with Christo van Rensburg (second left) during the ATX Open in Austin, Texas.
2023 Best of Texas Tennis Junior Team Tennis Organizer Achievement
McMillen (left) and USTA Texas Interim Executive Director Frank Kelly (Right) at the 2025 USTA Annual Meeting & Conference.
McMillen (left) and Megan Rose (right) converse at the 2025 USTA Texas Tennis Summit.
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Female participation has grown alongside these efforts, with more girls entering leagues and taking on leadership roles. In one summer initiative, high school players — most of them girls — independently ran a team tennis league, managing everything from scheduling to scorekeeping.
“They did everything,” McMillen said. “It still makes me tear up.”
Still, challenges remain. Austin faces a shortage of accessible tennis courts, an issue McMillen and the Capital Area Tennis Association are actively addressing. Through partnerships and technology like USTA’s SmartAccess court access system, underused school courts are being opened to the public.
McMillen sees access as part of a broader equity issue in women’s sports. Her long-term vision reflects that belief: a dedicated facility designed specifically for women, complete with coaching, amenities and a welcoming environment.
“It’s women who sustain the tennis ecosystem,” she said. “I want to create a space that celebrates that.”
In her leadership roles, including service on the USTA Texas board of directors and on multiple USTA section and national committees, McMillen advocates for greater inclusion and equity. She credits a wide circle of women as inspirations, including mentor Carol Welder, as well as Stacey Allaster, Megan Rose, Meredith Geiger-Walton, Taylor Jones, Kelly Marshall and Jenny Gray, along with trailblazer Billie Jean King, whose legacy continues to shape opportunities for women in the sport.
“We need more flexibility, more male allies, equal pay and a seat at the table,” she said.
Looking ahead, McMillen is optimistic about the future of women’s tennis in the region and beyond. Her advice to aspiring players and leaders is simple: believe in yourself.
“Go for it. Bet on yourself,” she said. “If you can see it, you can be it.”
Her own journey has been shaped by mentorship and community, including guidance from leaders within USTA and the Austin tennis scene. Now, she’s committed to paying that forward — often recruiting new volunteers mid-match or between sets.
“Volunteering changed my life,” McMillen said. “There’s no better organization to be part of.”
As Women’s History Month highlights the achievements of women across industries, McMillen’s work serves as a reminder that leadership often begins at the local level — one court, one player and one opportunity at a time.
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