Remembering Allison Kelly: A Tennis Phenom Gone Too Soon

Today marks the anniversary of the day my daughter, Allison Kelly, passed away. October 23rd, 2004, was the day that a bright and promising life was cut short by sarcoma of the brain. Allison was just 22 years old, and not a day goes by when I don’t think about the extraordinary person she was, both on and off the tennis court. She was more than just a talented player—she was a fierce competitor, a kind spirit, and a daughter who filled my life with pride and joy.

Though I spend much of my time writing about baseball, today I want to share the story of Allison, a young phenom who picked up tennis balls at seven and quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Her journey, from a girl playing on local courts to becoming friends with tennis stars like Jennifer Capriati, is something I hold dear. It’s a story of talent, determination, and a love for the game that made her truly special.

The Beginnings of a Prodigy

Allison’s journey into tennis began when she was just seven years old. She picked up tennis balls and threw them with the power and precision of a much older child. She was only eight when I decided to sign her up for lessons. That’s when we met Mark Harrison, an Australian tennis pro who saw something remarkable in her.

“Your daughter is very talented,” he said after watching her first lesson. “If I were you, I’d take her to Flushing Meadows, to the US Open kids’ program. I’ll give the director a call.”

So, that’s what we did. At just nine years old, Allison was hitting baseline to baseline with incredible skill. Hana Hunsacker, the director of tennis at the US Open kids' program, was equally impressed. She worked with Allison and came off the court saying, “Your daughter is something special.”

As time went on, her talent continued to blossom. By the age of 10, she was already catching the eye of tennis greats like Jennifer Capriati and her coach, Tom Gullickson. I’ll never forget seeing Jennifer and Allison talking and laughing on the court. Tom approached me afterward and said, “Your daughter is very talented.” They became fast friends, and I could see that Allison’s love for tennis grew stronger by the day.

The Making of a Star

By the time Allison was 11, she was regularly hitting with Jennifer Capriati on the practice courts as Jennifer prepared for the US Open. One day, as they were finishing up, I noticed Bud Collins, the legendary tennis commentator from NBC, watching closely. When they were done, Bud came over to me, wanting to know everything about Allison—her school, her plans, and her future in tennis.

Allison was in her element. She was playing great tennis and working with her coaches, and by the time she turned 12, she had earned a spot at the prestigious Port Washington Tennis Academy. Bob Binz, the academy’s director, took her on the court for 30 minutes before coming up to me and saying, “Your daughter has a gift. If she stays here, she’ll be in the highest group—Gold—by turning 14.”

Sure enough, at 14, Allison was hitting with top players, including Division I college athletes. She had reached the Gold program, where the best of the best trained. Her talent was undeniable, and her future in tennis seemed brighter than ever.

The First Signs of Trouble

It was around this time that Allison started experiencing migraines—intense, frequent headaches that doctors initially dismissed as “growing pains.” She was 17, in the prime of her tennis career, and receiving scholarships from colleges eager to recruit her. But something wasn’t right. Despite her immense talent, her performance on the court began to suffer. She was losing matches she should have easily won, and the headaches became more frequent and severe.

A brain scan finally revealed the terrifying truth—a small lesion, which doctors initially thought was benign, turned out to be sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It was February when we received the diagnosis. By October 23rd, she was gone.

Fighting Until the End

Even as her health deteriorated, Allison never lost her fighting spirit. Tennis was her passion, and even amid her illness, the community rallied around her. Bud Collins, ever the kind soul, offered our family his home in Boston when we needed to take her to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatment. The tennis world knew about Allison, and they cared deeply for her.

Two weeks before she passed, I received a phone call from a wealthy individual who had heard about Allison’s story. He invited us to the US Open as his guests, offering Allison a chance to return to the courts she loved, even for a few minutes. By this time, the tumor had begun affecting her vision—she would lose sight for brief moments, something that was happening more frequently as the cancer progressed.

On September 1st, we went to the US Open. When we entered, a crowd of people was waiting for Allison. Bud Collins, Jennifer Capriati, and other players were there to greet her. We could only stay for a few minutes—her body was growing weaker—but those moments were filled with love, laughter, and memories that I will carry with me forever.

A Legacy of Courage

Allison’s journey ended too soon, but her mark on this world is undeniable. She was a tennis phenom, a young woman with an incredible gift who was on the path to greatness. More than that, she was a kind, loving, and courageous person who touched the lives of everyone she met.

Today, I remember her not just as the talented athlete she was but as my daughter—the girl who faced every challenge head-on, the young woman who made friends with tennis stars, and the fighter who never gave up, even when the odds were stacked against her. Allison’s story is one of talent, resilience, and love. And though she may no longer be with us, her spirit lives on in every memory, every story, and every person whose life she touched.

I miss her every day, but today, on the anniversary of her passing, I honor her by sharing her story. Allison Kelly was more than a tennis prodigy—she was my daughter, and she will forever be in my heart.