The Dynamic Duo
Twin sisters Judy Freeman and Jill Greer have been a dynamic duo in doubles since childhood. When they were young girls, they’d ride their bikes to the local tennis courts, near Miracle Mile, to challenge anyone playing there for court space.
In the early 1970s and during the time Title IX was first passed, Jill and Judy played for the University of Colorado women’s tennis team and dominated in doubles, finally earning their varsity letters in 2002. In the decades since, the two have played in tournaments around the country, attended Nationals five times in various age categories and spent years as tennis instructors.
Today, they still share their passion for tennis.
“We were a pretty spectacular doubles team. Our coach would always say one head, four legs,” Jill said.
We recently spoke with Judy and Jill about the impact of Title IX and how their tennis journey has evolved over the years.
When did you two first start playing tennis together?
Judy: We played tennis growing up because there were two of us. We would just play to see who had to turn the lights off or who had to make a snack at night. We’d just play in the street, but it wasn’t formal by any stretch of the imagination.
Jill: In high school they didn’t have any sports for girls except cheerleading, synchronized swimming, maybe gymnastics, but nothing organized. So we just played, occasionally, sometimes with the boys. One day the PE teacher said “would you like to represent St. Louis Park High School and play tennis for the Lake Conference tomorrow?”
Judy: We showed up in our tennis shoes and cutoff jeans — we didn’t even have dresses — and we won the conference in doubles and they gave us blue ribbons.
Jill: To this day we still have our blue ribbons.
You two are both alumni of the University of Colorado and played tennis there. How did you get involved with the program?
Judy: We were big-time skiers and were ski instructors, which made us want to go to the University of Colorado. We got there and we didn’t know a soul during orientation, so we went and played tennis. Dusty Delario, the tennis coach at the time, saw us playing and said “Why don’t you two come out for the University of Colorado tennis team?”
We knew we didn’t have the experience and it was going to be pretty difficult to do but our parents talked us into at least trying out.
Jill: We made the team, and in 1972, Title IX went into effect and changed our lives because all of the sudden we were traveling all over the country. We were playing against teams that were fantastic, went to Nationals and we were Division I. It was quite the experience. They didn’t give us our letters then, but they did give it to us 30 years later.
Why do you keep coming back to Michael Lynne’s?
Jill: We get our tennis equipment, our pickleball equipment, our clothes, our shoes, everything from Michael Lynne’s.
Judy: Even though I’m in Georgia, when I come home, I bring my tennis racket and he strings it there.
Jill: I mean, if you, if you asked us where we grew up, we'd say in Miracle Mile, right near Michael Lynne’s and I think everyone would agree it’s just a really great place to shop. They’ve always treated us right and had a great selection. You get a human face.
Judy: Michael, Mimzy, and their whole crew who have been there for many years, they’re always so helpful and so wonderful.
As pioneers in collegiate women’s tennis, what advice do you have for young people interested in playing tennis after high school?
Jill: You know with any sport, especially with tennis, you just need a huge passion for it. Our parents never watched us play tennis. They never gave money for us to have lessons. We just played tennis because we had it in our hearts.
Judy: I think that there’s more to it than just being told that every Tuesday you have to play. If the person isn’t that into it, just don’t force it. It has to be a passion. It has to be something you love.
