Ditty gets early call from HOF

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September 8, 2008

By ROCKY STANLEY / The Independent The Daily Independent Mon Sep 08, 2008, 10:25 PM EDT

ASHLAND — Julie Ditty’s credentials made her a sure-fire selection for the USTA Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame.

The timing just caught her off guard. Ditty, playing her best tennis at age 29, is among three 2008 inductees. Others include Howard “Curly’’ Davis and John English.

“I was a little surprised when they called me,’’ Ditty said. “I still feel like I have a little more potential in me to do some better things. But it’s nice to get that recognition when I’ve worked my whole life for it.’’

The formal induction ceremony will be Feb. 7 at Standard Country Club in Louisville.

“Julie’s induction into the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame sets precedents on many levels and we hope her story inspires other young women to choose tennis as their sport,’’ said Sharon Rahman, executive director of USTA Kentucky.

Ditty’s list of accomplishments on the court is staggering. The nation’s former No. 1 ranked player in Girls 14s won three Kentucky high school singles titles. She went on to earn multiple All-America honors at Vanderbilt University and has fashioned an impressive professional career.

“Julie’s resume of local, state, national and international play along with her continuing participation as a WTA Tour player speaks volumes about her dedication, her fortitude and her athletic spirit,’’ Rahman said.

Winner of 31 USTA and International Tennis Federation Circuit pro titles, Ditty boosted her game to another level the past two seasons.

The left-hander has made appearances in all four majors — Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon Open and U.S. Open.

Her singles ranking rose to a career-best 89 this year and most recently Ditty advanced to the U.S. Open Round of 16 in doubles with Carly Gullickson.

Rahman attended their third-round match a couple of weeks ago.

“Julie is representing Kentucky very well and we are proud she will be in our Hall of Fame,’’ Rahman said.

Ditty joins such Kentucky women greats as Caroline Kuhlman and Susan Sloane-Lundy on the Hall of Fame list. Sloane, a Lexington native and 1995 inductee, finished her pro career in 1993.

“I always looked up to her when I was younger,’’ Ditty said. “It’s nice to be recognized for the same kind of thing. Hopefully we can be role models for younger kids.’’

Julie and her father, Dr. Jack Ditty, are the Kentucky Hall of Fame’s first father-daughter combination. Jack was inducted in 2004.

“He’s the one that started me in tennis,’’ Julie said. “He really has been my biggest supporter and always encouraged me to set goals.’’

Julie recently came across a journal she had written at age 13.

“It was saying how I wanted to be a professional tennis player and play at Wimbledon one day,’’ she said.

For Ditty, the plan keeps getting better.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

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