Brienne Alexandra Minor (born November 25, 1997) is an American tennis player currently playing for the University of Michigan. On May 29, 2017, she won the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships, becoming the first African-American woman to win the singles title.[2][3] This victory also secured Minor a spot in the main draw of the 2017 US Open as a wild-card.[4]
Country (sports) | ![]() |
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Born | (1997-11-25) November 25, 1997 (age 24) Mundelein, Illinois, United States |
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
College | University of Michigan |
Prize money | $50,000 |
Singles | |
Career record | 2–10 |
Highest ranking | No. 917 (September 11, 2017) |
Current ranking | No. 917 (September 11, 2017) |
Grand Slam singles results | |
US Open | 1R (2017) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 2–6 |
Highest ranking | No. 957 (September 11, 2017) |
Current ranking | No. 957 (September 11, 2017) |
Last updated on: September 11, 2017. |
Minor was raised in Mundelein, Illinois.[5] She began playing tennis at the age of four. Minor attended Carmel High School and during her senior year at Carmel, she went undefeated during the season, winning a state championship in the process.[6][7] On November 13, 2014, she signed her national letter of intent to play collegiate tennis at the University of Michigan.[8] Minor had been ranked as the 15th best recruit in the country.
During her first season with the Wolverines, Minor finished with a 36-10 record.[6] Her performance earned her spots in both the National Collegiate Athletic Association singles and doubles tournaments. She earned all-Big Ten and ITA All-American honors at the end of the season.[6]
Minor capped off her sophomore season by winning the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's singles title, the first in Michigan's history.[3] Minor defeated the Florida's Belinda Woolcock in the final. She was also the first African-American woman to accomplish this feat and the first black athlete to win a singles title since Arthur Ashe in 1965.[3] As is tradition with American NCAA champions, Minor received a wild-card entry into the 2017 US Open. Minor was also named ITA All-American for the second straight year.[9]
In her grand slam singles debut at the 2017 US Open, Minor lost to Ons Jabeur 1–6, 5–7.
Brienne's parents are Kevin and Michelle Minor.[5] She has two older sisters named Jasmine and Kristina. Minor is majoring in sports management.[6] As a big fan of pop singer Beyoncé, Minor received the nickname "Briyoncé," from best friend Caroline Nonnenmacher.[10]
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