We are both honored to know Woodie Walker. She has been a staple in the tennis community for several years and has left an impact that only she could make. Through her dedication and hard work over the years this award is well deserved. We would like to thank Woodie for all that she has done, not only within our community but for tennis as a whole. The game of tennis is better because of her passion, attitude and hard work.
Please enjoy the articles below. Both were written by Gordan Englehardt. The first was published September 25, 2017
Newburgh resident Walker honored at Billie Jean King Center
Phyllis “Woodie” Sublett Walker was surprised when a special award, the Woodie Walker “C.A.R.E” award was given in her name at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Awards Ceremony in Flushing, New York. The initials stand for: commitment, accountability, responsibility and excellence.
This award will be given to an official whose contributions to the game distinguish them not only for their lifetime of service but exemplifies the qualities Walker has always represented in the game.
Walker, a Newburgh resident, organized local tournaments and served as manager for Tri-State Racquet Club in the 1970s before turning her full attention to the pro level, where she became a innovator in how the sport is officiated.
Walker was pleased to present the first Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. award to the Bruce Littrell family, in honor of Bruce Littrell, who passed away in 2014 but exemplified the attributes of the award.
Through Walker’s many years of officiating, she has continued to demonstrate her commitment and professionalism. Walker’s contribution to worldwide officiating at top level in cooperation with all governing bodies has proved her to be exemplary to fellow officials.
Among her extensive list of assignments, Walker has worked every US Open since 1969 and has been a Chief Umpire for the ATP World Tour since 1978; she has served as Chief Umpire for the WTA Tour, Davis Cup, Fed Cup & the 1996 Olympic Games. Walker has gone above and beyond the requirements of an official and has been certified as an ITF International Gold Badge Referee, Chair Umpire and Chief Umpire.
]]>Like Billie Jean King, Walker leaves an indelible tennis legacy
Growing up in the late 1940s, Phyllis “Woodie” Sublett Walker basically had three choices. She could become a teacher, a nurse or a secretary.
None of those piqued her interest. Instead, she worked to become an internationally-acclaimed tennis official.
Walker received the Woodie Walker “C.A.R.E.” award last month at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. The initials stand for: commitment, accountability, responsibility and excellence.
Not in attendance for the famous Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match at the Houston Astrodome in 1973, Walker was a trailblazer in her own right, carving an indelible legacy from the sidelines. With the advent of Title IX, women wanted equal pay and equal opportunity. Informing her superiors of this, she was met with astonishment, trepidation and perhaps even fear.
Although it might be politically incorrect to refer to a cigarette commercial, some might recall the old Virginia Slims ad: “You’ve come a long way, baby.” But Walker thinks women’s athletics still have a long way to go. The current “Battle of the Sexes” movie couldn’t have come at a better time for those who don’t remember the sexist climate that was so pervasive back in the day.
An estimated 90 million viewers from around the world tuned in to watch King, 29, defeat Riggs, 55, in a $100,000 winner-take-all match in the wake of the sexual revolution and rise of the women’s movement. Walker watched the movie last weekend.
“Jack Kramer had a key role in trying to keep the women down and being against equal prize money,” said Walker, a Newburgh resident who turned 88 Sunday. “I knew him and he was a very good friend of my older brother and worked very hard for tennis but thought it was a male sport. Billie Jean was instrumental in changing that.”
Walker, who got her nickname because her maiden name was Wood, remembers how patronizing men were to women.
“It was in using terms like ‘the girls,’ ‘gals,’ ‘sweetheart’…that reminded us that we were not taken seriously,” she said. “What was interesting to me was realizing that I actually knew most of the ‘names’ in the movie.”
Walker said it was probably the first time anyone started talking about gender or being gay or lesbian in relation to sports.
“That took a lot of strength on the part of BJK…and we HAVE come a long way baby! That was well-handled in the movie,” Walker said. “That being said, there is work to do.”
Walker was fortunate to have a father who believed in her and said she could be whatever she wanted to be.
“He never had me in a strictly ‘feminine role,’’’ she said. “I trailered my horse by myself to some horse shows. I also had three older brothers whom I idolized and whom never saw limitations in what I could or should do. I was the only girl in the family, the youngest, so I learned by watching, but they gave me confidence.”
However, there was still a misconception that women belonged in the “bedroom and kitchen,” Walker said.
She had to learn to speak up for herself, but never really set out to be a role model.
“I was just doing what I loved to do and what I thought was fair,” Walker said.
Beginning her officiating career in 1968, Walker became manager of Tri-State Racquet Club (now Tri-State Athletic Club) in 1972, the only woman manager of an indoor facility that she knew of in the area. She was chief umpire of the U.S. Open from 1985-88 and the only female chief umpire of any of the Grand Slams for several years. Still chief umpire of the USTA (United States Tennis Association) in 2014, she presided over her last U.S. Open before retiring.
Small in stature, Walker had the ability to take control. Serving as chair umpire for one of John McEnroe’s matches at the Indianapolis Clay Courts Tournament, she had no problems.
However, Walker remembered one particular 1982 match at a tournament in California. She overruled a line judge, saying Ivan Lendl had faulted on his first serve. Lendl stared her down.
“He bounced the ball and looked at me and said, ‘Was it long or wide?’ I said it was wide and he said, ‘You’re right.’’’
That was it. Walker had gained Lendl’s respect. Through the years, she earned the respect of the international tennis community and beyond. Kind of like Billie Jean King, in that pivotal exhibition match against Bobby Riggs in 1973.
Sunday afternoon Ann Li (Devon,PA) captured her first professional title. Li was the 2017 Wimbledon junior finalist. She lost to fellow American Claire Liu in the second-ever all-American girls final at Wimbledon, dating back to 1947. Li was given a wild card by the USTA to play in this years Women’s Hospital Classic. She drew a tough first round opponent in Alexa Graham. Graham, a standout North Carolina Tar Heel came off a terrific season with the team finishing ranked top 5 among all NCAA Division I teams. Li 
defeated Graham 6-3, 7-5. Li’s next round opponent was fellow teenage American stand out, Whitney Osuigwe. Osuigwe won the Rolland Garros junior title in 2017. Li went on to win 7-6, 6-1. Caty McNally became Li’s quarterfinal opponent after beating Madeleine Kobelt 6-3, 6-0. After defeating McNally 6-1, 6-3, Li beat Lorraine Guillermo in the semi finals 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Her final opponent entered the week with 25 combined Pro Circuit titles but the teenager lived up to the hype beating Marcela Zacarias in 
three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Congratulations to Ann Li on her first title. For more information on this years Women’s Hospital Classic please visit the tournament website.
]]>Guillermo, who beat Alexandra Morozova in the second round, played another seeded player. Today, it was Caitlin Whoriskey, the top ranked and seeded player in the tournament. Guillermo once again came out victorious, downing Whoriskey 6-3, 6-0. Guillermo was a two-time All-American at Pepperdine University where she also won the ITA / Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship award. Guillermo and Li are set to play tomorrow at 10:30am.
Defending champion, and crowd favorite Kennedy Shaffer battled for three sets today against Allie Kiick. Kiick, who is playing in her fourth tournament since July 2015 took the first set 6-4. Shaffer fought back to push it to a third set, but it was Kiick who ultimately won with a final score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Kiick’s win sets her up with a semifinal matchup against the Marcela Zacarias.
Zacarias is the highest seed remaining in the draw. Zacarias is from San Luis Potosi, Mexico and has won a total of 11 career Pro Circuit singles titles. She has also 14 career Pro Circuit doubles titles. Zacarias reached a career high WTA ranking of 181 in 2015.
The Women’s Hospital Classic Doubles Finals will be played after both semi-final singles matches. Winthrop teammates, Lauren Proctor and Alice Garcia beat the second seeded pairing of Cameron Morra and Salome Devidze 5-7, 6-1, 10-7. Lauren Proctor will be entering her junior year, while Garcia finished her Winthrop career last year after being named All-Conference.
Proctor and Garcia will play Lorraine Guillermo and Madeleine Kobelt. Guillermo has one career Pro Circuit doubles title, winning in Victoria, British Columbia in 2016. Kobelt will be playing in her first doubles finals in Evansville. Kobelt reached the semi-finals in 2013.
Saturday morning the Evansville Community Tennis Association with the help of local coaches will be hosting Family Day. Family day is open to anyone. Coaches will provide free instruction, games, and prizes for participants. Immediately following Family Day, the semi finals will begin.
Schedule of Play: 10:30am start time
Lorraine Guillermo vs Ann Li
Allie Kiick vs Marcela Zacarias
Alice Garcia / Lauren Proctor vs Lorraine Guillermo / Madeleine Kobelt
Lorraine Guillermo
Play continued Thursday, with the tournament moving indoors. The round of 16 brought many anticipated match ups and they did not disappoint. Five seeds remained as the day began, and four will move on. Top seeded Caitlin Whoriskey was tested early and often by the 17-year-old Ellie Douglas. Caitlin and Ellie split the first two sets 6-3. But Whoriskey ultimately pulled ahead with a break of serve in the third set. She would go on to win the final set 6-3. Whoriskey will play qualifier Lorraine Guillermo Friday. Guillermo took down sixth seeded Alexandra Morozova. After dropping a close first set (6-4), Guillermo responded by taking the second and third sets 6-1, and 6-2 respectively.
Caty McNally, who has won five straight matches – including qualifying, beat Syracuse alumna Madeleine Kobelt in straight sets. McNally will play fellow American Ann Li. In a very anticipated matchup of Grand Slam finalists, Li ousted Whitney Osuigwe. The first set between the two teenagers came down to just a few points. The first set ended in a tiebreak, 7-4, favoring Li. Li took the tiebreak momentum into the second set and never looked back, winning 6-1 in the following set.
Kennedy Shaffer needed three sets to beat qualifier Abigail Desiatnikov 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. The defending Women’s Hospital Classic champion will face fifth seeded Allie Kiick in the quarterfinals.
Marcela Zacarias
The remaining quarterfinals matchup will feature two fellow country woman (Mexico), Sebastiani Leon and Marcela Zacarias. Zacarias played Sara Daavettila in the round of 16. Daavettila had previously earned two consecutive wild cards to play the Women’s Hospital Classic in the past.
Sunday’s July 23 – SCHEDULE
Court 9 – starting at 9 a.m.
Ann Li vs Caty McNally
Caitlin Whoriskey vs Loraine Guillermo
Garcia / Proctor vs Devidze/ Morra
Court 12 – starting at 9 a.m.
Allie Kiick vs Kennedy Shaffer
Sebastiani Leon vs Marcela Zacarias
Guillermo / Kobelt vs Morozova vs Nemtsova
Wimbledon junior singles finalist, Ann Li defeated fellow American Alexa Graham 6-3, 7-5. Li will look to continue her hot streak tomorrow against Whitney Osuigwe. Osuigwe and Li recently played each other at the Easter Bowl Championships. Osuigwe won 7-5, 7-6(5). Osuigwe is currently the 2nd ranked junior in the world while Li is ranked 14th.
Other winners today include Ellie Douglas (USA), Lorraine Guillermo (USA), Taylor Robinson (USA), and Caty McNally. McNally who qualified for the second straight year defeated Jaeda Daniel routinely with a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Miami (OH) bound Makenzie Myers drew a large crowd as the local community cheered her on against Abigail Desiatnikov. Desiatnikov downed the wild card recipient 6-1, 6-0.
Caitlin Whoriskey is scheduled to play Ellie Douglas. Douglas is currently the number 23-rankd junior in the world. She reached the doubles quarterfinals at junior Wimbledon this year and also advanced to the third round in singles. She also reached the finals of Easter Bowl this spring.
Defending champion, Kennedy Shaffer will play Abigail Desiatnikov. Desiatnikov qualified this year and had a career high junior ranking inside the top 100.
To view Thursday July 27th schedule please visit USTA Pro Circuit
]]>As those women filled out the main draw, some main draw matches already began. Allie Kiick, seeded fifth, defeated fellow American Stephanie Nemtsova 6-0, 6-1. Kennedy Shaffer was in dominate form as she beat Anastasia Nefedova 6-1, 6-2. Shaffer will play the winner of tomorrow’s match between McKenzie Myers and Abigail Desiatnikov.
Top seeded Caitlin Whoriskey downed former Grand Slam champion Alona Bondarenko. Whoriskey managed to convert five of her thirteen break points. Whoriskey also won 82% of her first serve points which helped lead the way to a first round victory 7-5, 6-1.
Main draw play continues on Wednesday with both local wildcard recipients scheduled to play. Dalayna Hewitt, who earned the wild card in June by winning the local Woodie Championship (City Championships) is scheduled to play Alexandra Morozova. Hewitt returns back to Evansville after winning both singles and doubles in a junior ITF event. Her opponent has won two career doubles titles on the Pro Circuit.
McKenzie Myers will also be featured on Wednesday. Myers, who trains at Tri-State Athletic Club, was given a local wild card into the main draw. This is the third straight year in which Myers has received or earned a local wild card. In 2015, Myers earned the local main draw wild card by winning the wild card tournament hosted by the Evansville Community Tennis Association. Last year, Myers and Addison Brown were given a local wild card to play in the main draw of doubles. Due to a scheduling conflict Myers was unable to play in the singles qualifying draw. Myers will attend Miami (OH) University next fall. She represented Memorial High School at the IHSAA state finals this year. She was the first Memorial player to reach the state finals since Macie Elliott won the title in 2010-2011. Myers will play Abigail Desiatnikov. They are the third match scheduled on Court 9.
Wednesday will also feature a terrific match-up of two incredibly talented girls. Alexa Graham, who just completed her first season at the University of North Carolina, where she received ALL-ACC honors and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. She holds two USTA Pro Circuit and ITF Pro Circuit singles titles ($10,00 Hilton Head Island, S.C. in 2015, and $15,000 Victoria, Canada, in 2017). Her opponent Ann Li, received a wild card to play in this years event. Li reached this year’s Wimbledon junior final, facing Claire Liu in the second ever all-American girls final at Wimbledon, dating back to 1947. She has reached a career high ranking of no. 14 in the ITF World Junior Rankings. She has committed to play at Louisiana State University. In their last matchup Graham defeated Li 7-5, 6-4.
Wednesday, July 26 – SCHEDULE
Court 1 – starting at 9 a.m.
Ellie Douglas vs Peyton Stearns
Katerina Stewart vs Whitney Osuigwe
Garcia/ Proctor vs Bondarenko/ Nefedova
Derienzo / Raszkiewicz vs Kiick / Stewart
Court 7 – starting at 9 a.m.
Jada Robinson vs Taylor Johnson
Dalayna Hewitt vs Alexandra Morozova
Kolie Allen vs Cassie Mercer
Abrams/Song vs Morozova vs Nemtsova
Court 9 – starting at 9 a.m.
Cameron Morra vs Marcela Zacarias
Alexa Graham vs Ann Li
Makenzie Myers vs Abigail Desiatnikov
Daavettila / Graham vs Stearns / Tona
Court 12 – starting at 9 a.m.
Lorraine M. Guillermo vs Anika Yarlagadda
Caty McNally vs Jaeda Daniel
Guillermo / Kobelt vs Leon / Petrick
Douglas / Johnson vs Shaffer / Zacarias
Monday’s schedule will feature a mix of qualifying and main draw matches. Caitlin Whoriskey, 2014 finalist, is scheduled to play Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine on Stadium Court, not before 11:00 am.. Top seeded Whoriskey competed in the doubles draw at Wimbledon thus year and is currently ranked inside the top 125 in women’s doubles. The former University of Tennessee standout, was named the 2010 College Senior Player of the Year after leading the Volunteers to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Last year’s champion, Kennedy Shaffer returns to Evansville to defend her title. She is entering her senior year at the University of Georgia where she received All-America honors in doubles this past season. She also received All-America honors in singles in her sophomore season. Shaffer is scheduled to play on Court 1, not before 11:00am.
Playing just her fourth tournament since July 2015, Allie Kiick makes her Evansville debut. Kiick has missed time with four knee surgeries and after being diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. She peaked at world number 136 in 2014, and looks to get back into form this week. As a junior she was a singles finalist at the 2013 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships.
Sunday’s July 23 – SCHEDULE
Court 1 – starting at 9 a.m.
Elysia Bolton vs Peyton Stearns
Kollie Allen vs Madison Appel
Anastasia Nefedova vs Kennedy Shaffer
Boyd/Iyer vs Daniel/Parks
Court 7 – starting at 9 a.m.
Lorraine M. Guillermo vs Csilla Fodor
Olivia Hauger vs Cassie Mercer
Mirana Tona vs Sebastiani Leon
Audrey Marquard vs Madeleine Kobelt
Court 9 (Stadium Court) – starting at 9 a.m.
Lauren Proctor vs Katerina Stewart
Salome Devidze vs Caty McNally
Caitlin Whoriskey vs Alona Bondarenko
Sara Daavetilla vs Magdalena Ekert
Court 12 – starting at 9 a.m.
Abigail Desiatnikov vs Kathleen Derienzo
Jada Robinson vs Meghan Kelley
Allie Kiick vs Stephanie Nemtsova
Fisch/Meyer vs Devidze/Morra
Caitlin Whoriskey, 29, East Sandwich, Mass.
• Top seed in Evansville
• 2014 Evansville Singles Finalist
• Competed in doubles draw at Wimbledon this year. Ranked in the top 125 in women’s doubles.
• Won the 2014 US Open National Playoffs women’s singles tile to earn a wild card into US Open qualifying, where she won her first round match 
• A former University of Tennessee standout, she was named the 2010 College Senior Player of the Year after leading the Volunteers to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
• Holds 14 career USTA Pro Circuit/ ITF Circuit Doubles titles, including at the $100,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Midland Mich., earlier this year.
• Captured her first career USTA Pro Circuit singles title in 2014 at the $10,000 event in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Also won the $25,000 event in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2016.
Whitney Osuigwe, 15, Bradenton, Fla.
• The No. 2-ranked junior in the world, behind only fellow American Claire Liu.
• Won the 2017 French Open girls’ singles title, beating Liu in the second-ever all-American French Open girls’ final.
• Became only the fourth American girls’ singles champion at Roland Garros and the first since Jennifer Capriati in 1989.
• Also reached the singles quarterfinals at Junior Wimbledon this year, as well as the girls’ doubles final.
• Won the doubles title at the 2017 Easter Bowl, a prestigious junior event, while reaching the singles quarterfinals. As 14-year-old in December 2016, reached the semifinals of the clay-court Orange Bowl, another prestigious junior event.
Allie Kiick, 22, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Is playing in her fourth tournament since July 2015. Missed time with four knee surgeries and after being diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer.
• Won her first $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in 2015 in Charlottesville, Va. Also holds three additional USTA Pro Circuit and ITF Pro Circuit singles titles, as well as an ITF doubles titles she won in Canada in 2013.
• Peaked at No. 136 in the world in 2014.
• As a junior player, was a singles finalist at the 2013 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships. Also, won the Girls’ 18s doubles title with Sachia Vickery, allowing her to make her Grand Slam main-draw debut in the 2013 US Open women’s doubles event.
• Is the daughter of Jim Kiick, a running back on the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. Mother, Mary Johnson, is a former professional softball player.
Kennedy Shaffer, 20, Rossford, Ohio
• Defending champion in Evansville, winning the title last year for her first USTA Pro Circuit title.
• Rising senior at the University of Georgia.
• Received All-America honors in doubles this past season after
reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships.
• Also received All-America honors in singles in her sophomore season after reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships.
• In her freshman season, helped the Bulldogs reached the Final Four of the NCAA Team Championships.
Ann Li, 17, Devon, Pa.
• Tournament wild card.
• Reached this year’s Wimbledon junior final, facing Claire Liu in the second-ever all-American girls final at Wimbledon, dating back to 1947.
• Ranked a career-high No. 14 in the ITF World Junior Rankings.
• Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2017 Easter Bowl, while reaching the doubles final.
• Committed to attend college tennis at LSU.
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Caitlin Whoriskey almost returned to the United States after losing her doubles qualifying match for Wimbledon.
She had been in Great Britain for roughly a month playing other tournaments and wanted to take some time off before this week’s Women’s Hospital Classic at Wesselman Park.
But she and her partner decided to stay a few more days in London. A tournament supervisor eventually called them with news they made the main draw as the third and final Lucky Losers. They were told they were on-deck to play after a men’s match, which was already two sets to none.
“We were in a panic for a few minutes,” Whoriskey said. “But we got our heads straight, came up with a game plan and had fun because for me it was my first time playing there.”
Whoriskey and her partner, Ashley Weinhold, lost in two sets, but they made the right decision to stay around. Not every tennis player gets a chance to play the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world.
“The moment I stepped into the venue I was in awe,” Whoriskey said. “The tradition and the history that comes with it, it was a beautiful place. To be on the grounds was incredible.”
She will be the top-seeded singles player in the Women’s Hospital Classic main draw when play begins Tuesday. Qualifying is underway Sunday and Monday.
Still, her singles ranking is 368th compared to being 119th in doubles. She hasn’t played singles since late May because she got on a roll with doubles and wanted it to keep going until Wimbledon.
Whoriskey thought returning to Evansville would be good fit considering she finished as the runner-up the other time she played in 2014.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what I can do and hopefully make the best of it like I did last time,” Whoriskey said. “Hopefully I can top that if I play well.”
Last year’s winner Kennedy Shaffer is returning to defend her title. Also in the main draw is 15-year-old Whitney Osuigwe, who is the top-ranked junior in the world.
Former Memorial High School standout Makenzie Myers was granted a wildcard for the second time before she heads to Miami University for her freshman year.
This is the 19th year Wesselman Park is hosting the USTA Women’s Pro Circuit event and the payout is larger than ever. The total purse is $15,000 compared previously being $10,000 in order to promote and provide financial support to the young and aspiring players.
There’s always a mix of players ranging from professionals like Whoriskey to juniors seeking their first few points.
“It’s a pretty decent level tournament,” Whoriskey said. “One girl has been top 200 but has had a lot of injuries lately and is looking to come back, and there are a lot of good college players who have done well in the NCAA tournament.”
If all goes to plan and she can stay healthy, playing singles more often will improve her ranking to a point where she can play qualifiers for grand slams. If not, she’ll go back to doubles.
Whoriskey is in Evansville for her first tournament since Wimbledon, and she’s optimistic she’ll leave just as satisfied.
“It’s going to be hot so hopefully everyone stays healthy and it’s a good tournament for everyone to come out and watch,” she said.