Mount Pleasant, S. C.
Inducted 2024
Shelby Rogers was an outstanding junior player who became the state’s most accomplished professional. She started playing tennis at age 7 and worked hard on her game and by age 10 was competing in and winning tournaments across South Carolina.
She captured 6 Palmetto Championships singles titles in Belton, winning at the 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U levels from 2002 to 2007, and also won the 2007 18U doubles title before her 15th birthday. She earned #1 singles rankings in South Carolina and Southern, and was named the 2010 USTA South Carolina Girl Player of the Year. Her competitive spirit drove her to levels beyond the state titles and she began to set her sights on loftier goals, and began competing in sectional, national and international tournaments. Shelby won her first international tournament in both singles and doubles at the Panama Bowl in 2008 as her list of tennis accomplishments grew. She was a semifinalist at the ITF Costa Rica Bowl and a quarterfinalist in the Easter bowl in the 18U in 2009. Later that year she played her first pro tournament, where she reached the quarterfinals, and by the end of the year she had earned her first WTA ranking.
Shelby started 2010 by winning the Junior Smash Cup which earned her a wild card into the qualifying of the Family Circle Cup in her hometown of Charleston. Later that year she won 8 matches at the Indian Harbour, Florida 50K pro tournament before losing a tough 3-set match in the finals. Following this tournament she decided to go pro at age 17, although she was being recruited by all the major college programs. Later that year she won 7 matches against top competition to win the USTA Girl’s 18U National Championships in San Diego. In recognition of her determination and grit, Shelby was presented the Maureen Connelly Brinker award for overall achievement and sportsmanship over the full 2010 year. By winning the national tournament, Shelby earned a spot in the main draw of the U. S. Open, her first grand slam tournament. During that U. S. Open, her hometown of Charleston was chosen as the “Best Tennis Town in America,” and she was in Arthur Ashe Stadium to celebrate it.
An outstanding 15-year professional career followed, highlighted by:
- Six ITF singles and two doubles titles
- Two-time WTA singles finalist and one-time doubles finalist
- Ranked as high as #30 in the world in singles and #40 in doubles
- Quarterfinalist at the French Open twice and at the U. S. Open once
- Round of 16 at the Australian Open
- Had a 34-33 singles record in grand slams
- Played on numerous United States Federation Cup teams, including playing the deciding doubles match for the victorious 2017 team
- Had wins over numerous top 10 players and grand slam champions, including Simona Halep, Serena Williams, Ash Barty, Petra Kvitova, Danielle Collins and Elena Rybankina
- Won $1,800,000 over 2 years (2020 and 2021), and $4,942,000 during her WTA career
During her professional career Shelby became a personality that people liked on tour and her positive attitude and interview skills gave her opportunities outside of tennis. She became known for taking time to give back to the communities she visited while on tour by volunteering to help with clinics for kids and always had time for an autograph or picture with her many fans. Shelby retired from the pro tour at the 2024 U. S. Open, where she played her final match and was celebrated on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
