From left, Columbia Association Division Director of Sport & Fitness Rob Goldman with CA Board member Suzanne Waller, former World. No. 1 women's professional tennis player Tracy Austin and CA Board member Alex Hekimian at Wilde Lake Tennis Club.

	From left, CA member Gary Simpler meets former World. No. 1 women's professional tennis player Tracy Austin along with his wife, Dana Simpler, at Wilde Lake Tennis Club.

Former World No. 1 tennis star Tracy Austin visits
Wilde Lake Tennis Club

Wilde Lake Tennis Club recently hosted the United States Tennis Association Maryland Adult League District Championship, and former World No. 1 tennis star Tracy Austin was there to sign autographs and meet fans.

Austin was the youngest player to win a professional tournament at age 14 and was the youngest person to the win the U.S. open in 1979 at age 16. The next year, 1980, she won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship with her brother, John Austin. She won the U.S. Open again in 1981.

She became the youngest person to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1992. She holds 29 titles and is a regular tennis commentator on television.

Gary and Dana Simpler, Columbia Association members, came to the championship to meet Austin. Both are captains this year in their leagues.

"Columbia has a large tennis community," Gary Simpler said. "It's a great network for making friends."

Dana Simpler agreed. "It's fun, and it's great exercise,' she said.

The Maryland Adult League District Championship is a three-day event with more than 62 teams, 21 of which are from Columbia.

Columbia Association offers indoor tennis at Columbia Athletic Club and Owen Brown Tennis Bubble. Outdoor facilities are available at Wilde Lake Tennis Club, Owen Brown Club and the Racquetball Club at Hobbit's Glen. Find out more at ColumbiaAssociation.org.

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