"This is the hand I was dealt. How many people can say they have made the quarterfinals of the US Open? And to have that kind of run, and people cheering for me, and the whole believe thing, and inspiring a lot of people: I couldn't have asked for anything more than that."

Ten years after her 2009 US Open dream run, Melanie Oudin joins the TENNIS.com Podcast with Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi. The 27-year-old retired two years ago after numerous health setbacks, including a heart condition that required two surgeries. 
As a 17-year-old, Oudin beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova to reach the US Open quarterfinals. She would peak at No. 31 in the world, win the 2011 US Open mixed doubles title (with Jack Sock) and capture a WTA title in Birmingham in 2012. 
She explains how she finally figured out what was wrong with her heart, why she left the game at the age of 25, and how she jumped into broadcasting as her first post-playing career path. The Georgia native has since found a passion for coaching, working at the Windward Lake Club in Alpharetta. She also hosts Melanie Oudin Believe Camps for juniors aged 10-14. 
While she's got incredible memories of her 2009 experience in New York, and has found her place back on court as a coach, Oudin is firmly looking to the future where she hopes to coach at the professional level. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices