How tennis took Christina McHale on the ride of a lifetime

Christina McHale is living proof that if you stick with something, the rewards can be plentiful. The American spent the early part of her childhood in Hong Kong due to her dad’s job, and it was in that foreign land that she discovered the beautiful game of tennis. She followed in the footsteps of her older sister Lauren and took the sport seriously, and in that process, McHale discovered that she had the goods to go a lot farther than most. And just like that, she was off to the races.

She trained with the USTA, turned pro as a teenager, competed in the Olympics and against legends in the grandest of settings. Christina McHale hung up her racket for good two years ago, but not until she made memories that will last a lifetime. She joined the Inside-In Podcast to look back fondly on some of the highlights, and to explain why she’s excited for the next phase of her adult life.

McHale became a tennis player organically, emulating her sister as she did with everything.

“I definitely let her make the decision first and then I followed after. But I think I obviously had such a love and passion for tennis. I think I always would’ve come back to it,” McHale explains.

The New Jersey native deviated from her big sis in one specific area, and that was forgoing the college experience. McHale was as prepared as any teenager could be for the pro game, but it was still the ultimate culture shock.

“Playing in the US Open that first year that I did and just kind of walking through the lounge, walking through the locker room, I’m like, ‘how is this real life?’ It’s a pretty surreal moment.”

During a pro career that spanned twelve years, McHale experienced highlights and opportunities that she would forever cherish. She won a title, reached the Top 25 in singles, and established a reputation as one of the most well-liked players on tour. But it’s impossible to top the day she had in 2016, when she faced arguably the greatest player of all-time on Wimbledon’s Center Court. Serena Williams was staring across the net at McHale, who equal parts in awe and unafraid. They played three tight sets, with Williams edging out the match en route to another championship trophy at the All England Club.

“Pre-match I’m thinking, oh my god I’m playing on Center Court at Wimbledon,” McHale explained. “I was proud of the fight that I gave but then you’re obviously disappointed too because you’re so close.” The outcome certainly stung, but it can never diminish that moment in time. “It was just really an electric atmosphere. So I’m left with some good memories from that match.”

McHale will always have one title that stands above the rest on her professional biography: Olympian In 2012 she was selected to the USA Olympic tennis team, something that will always hold a special place in her heart.

“Being able to be a part of the team in 2012 was honestly one of the coolest things ever,” McHale said with a huge smile on her face. “At one point I wasn’t even sure if I was going to go to the opening ceremony because I played that next morning,” she recalled.

McHale had a dilemma on her hands, but the decision was an easy one.

“I was like, this is an opportunity that I cannot pass up on. And honestly, you know I lost my match the next day, but I actually thought my level was quite high. And I think the energy carried over from just being in that opening ceremony.

Listen to this episode of the Inside-In Podcast to understand why McHale's reputation preceeds her. As a member of the board of directors for "Serving Up Hope," she continues to give back and help the less-forunate through tennis. In this interview McHale explains what clicked during her title Japan Open title run in 2016, why the transition away from being an active player was very smooth, and what her outside interest are away from the court.

In a sport filled with good people, Christina McHale's professionalism and kindness and have stood out. As far as tennis abassadors go, you can't really do much better.