Jo Wallen

Accomplished player turned influential coach. USTA National Campus Sr. Director.

Joanne Wallen, hailing from England, began her tennis journey at the age of four, swiftly rising to prominence as a top junior player in her homeland. In 1988, she ventured to the United States on a six-year scholarship to the prestigious Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, where she also inked a deal with IMG, marking her as the youngest player to do so at the time. Over her 14-year career on the International Tennis Federation and Women’s Tennis Association tours, Wallen secured 15 titles and achieved world rankings of #252 in singles and #179 in doubles.



Transitioning from player to mentor, Wallen's dedication to tennis continued as she assumed roles in coaching and administration. Her tenure at the Lexington Tennis Club in Kentucky saw her rise from Director of Junior Development to General Manager, during which she contributed significantly to the growth of tennis in the region. Recognized for her expertise, Wallen served on the Board of Directors of USTA Kentucky, chaired its Junior Competition Committee, and coached numerous USTA Southern junior teams. With her wealth of experience, she was appointed as a USTA Certified High-Performance Specialist and became a key figure in certifying tennis instructors through the USPTA. In 2012, Wallen earned recognition as the "Newcomer of the Year" by the Professional Tennis Registry. In 2016, she joined the USTA, eventually assuming the role of Senior Director at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, overseeing all operations.