Youth tennis player O’Loughlin makes a name for herself

Colorado native seeks to be No. 1 in the world

Published December 18th, 2007

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Julia O’Loughlin, age 10, moved to Boca Raton in August 2006 from Colorado to pursue her goal of being a professional tennis player. “My goal is to be the No. 1 tennis player in the world,” said O’Loughlin.

O’Loughlin is currently ranked number 47 nationally among U.S. 12 and under players. Over Thanksgiving, she finished in the quarterfinal round of the age 12 and under U.S. National Open in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Recently, O’Loughlin has competed in age 14 and under tennis tournaments. In August, she won the Super Series tournament on Ives Dairy Road in Fort Lauderdale. On Dec. 10, O’Loughlin finished in the quarterfinals of the Delray Beach 14’s designated tournament.

O’Loughlin trains with the United States Tennis Association Junior Development Program located on the Evert Tennis Academy campus in West Boca Raton.

This is the top program in the United States dedicated to the development of future U.S. tennis professionals.

O’Loughlin travels to tournaments in her Dad’s R.V.

“We camp out under the stars at night, and win matches during the day,” she said.

O’Loughlin was on the honor roll each semester last year at Sunrise Park Elementary school in Boca Raton. She now is enrolled online at Florida Virtual School. O’Loughlin is taking seventh grade math, which is her favorite subject.

O’Loughlin loves animals. She adopted a cat named Squeaky, and she volunteers at the Tri County Humane Society on Boca Rio Road.

O’Loughlin is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Lyons Road.

She said, “The best thing about tennis is digging deep to win a tough third set tiebreaker. I never give up.”