Whitney Ritchie

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Whitney Ritchie began playing tennis at a young age under the guidance of her father, Tim Ritchie. Whitney’s career represents one of the most accomplished and impactful legacies in Oklahoma tennis history, marked by extraordinary competitive success, collegiate excellence, and lifelong service to the sport.

At Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, she completed an undefeated 103-0 singles and doubles career, winning four individual and four team state championships. She achieved No. 1 rankings in Oklahoma and the Missouri Valley, reached No. 16 nationally in Girls 18s, and won five national doubles titles with best friend and partner Mia Lancaster. Her honors included 2008 USTA Missouri Valley Player of the Year, 2008 Oklahoma Female Junior Player of the Year, and 2010 National High School All-American.

At the University of Oklahoma, Ritchie earned First Team All-Big 12 honors in singles and doubles from 2012–2014. She captured two ITA Central Regional doubles championships, finished as singles runner-up, and won the Big 12 doubles championship with Lancaster. Named 2013 ITA Central Region Player of the Year, she also earned NCAA All-American honors. She was named to the All American Big 12 Team for three consecutive years, recorded a perfect 11–0 record at #2 singles, and compiled an outstanding 19–3 overall singles record. Whitney earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors twice and secured spots on both the 2013 All Big 12 Singles and Doubles Teams. She was voted Team MVP in 2011 and won the 2011 ITA Central Region Championship with Marie Pier Huet. Her collegiate career culminated in recognition as a Collegiate All American. On May 10, 2014, Whitney finished her career as OU's winningest doubles player as she secured her 95th victory and was ranked sixth in career singles wins.

In her fifth year at OU, Ritchie joined Coach Sherri Coale’s basketball program as its sole captain.

Since graduation, Whitney has remained deeply committed to the growth of tennis in Oklahoma. She has been instrumental in developing junior players, including coaching an athlete who won an L1 singles title in Alabama, and guiding many others to Missouri Valley and Oklahoma State Championships. Her dedication extends beyond coaching juniors; Whitney has also enjoyed competitive success with her father, winning three Gold Balls and one Silver Ball at the USTA Father/Daughter National Championships.

Whitney’s contributions to tennis extend far beyond her remarkable playing career. She has become a steward of the sport, investing her time, expertise, and passion into teaching both juniors and adults, strengthening the tennis community at every level. In 2017, Whitney was named the USPTA Under 30 Missouri Valley Professional of the Year and in 2021 she was awarded the High-Performance Coach of the Year. Her legacy is defined not only by championships and accolades but by mentorship, leadership, friendship and service.