McKenna Wheatley Named Girls Tennis Player of the Year

St. Andrew’s senior McKenna Wheatley has been playing tennis for over a decade. “When I was a toddler, my father would throw me fuzzy tennis balls to develop my hand-eye coordination. Soon after, a small racquet was placed in my hand to see if I could actually hit that fuzzy ball.” 

Developing a love for the game at an early age, Wheatley began to work with coaches, and by the age of nine competed in her first United States Tennis Association (USTA) junior tournament in Memphis, TN. She has since then continued to play USTA tournaments throughout the Southeast, now ranking in the Top 200 USTA rankings and Top 200 nationally. “Tennis is as mental as it is physical,” said Wheatley. “Sometimes you face opponents that, statistically, are better than you, but what determines the winner is your endurance and ability to focus and quickly make adjustments in strategy.”

Last year, her endurance and focus helped lead St. Andrew’s to another Class 3A state team title, with Wheatley winning all of her state tournament matches without losing a single game. And if her success on the court didn’t speak loudly enough, on Thursday, July 15 Martina Navratilova — member of the Tennis Hall of Fame and winner of almost 20 Grand Slam singles — announced Wheatley as the Girls Tennis Player of the Year at the 2021 Mississippi High School Sports Awards. “It was like time stopped. THE MARTINA said my name, and I immediately screamed. ‘OH MY GOSH, I WON! AND MARTINA KNOWS WHO I AM.’”

As Wheatley looks toward her senior year and senior season defending a state championship title, she is nervous and excited for what’s to come knowing that the focus, endurance, and time management she has learned on the court has prepared her to succeed both as a St. Andrew’s student and beyond. “I am looking forward to many fun senior events, college decisions, and making forever memories with my amazing friends. I hope to make this tennis season the most memorable one yet and I hope to leave a legacy of great leadership, hard work, fun, and love with my team. GO SAINTS!”