Women's History Month Highlight: Janie McCauley

Meet Janie: Janie is an avid tennis player and board member of the Laney Tennis Association. She also volunteers at San Quentin, where she supports using tennis as a powerful outlet for connection, personal growth, and rehabilitation.

Q: What does being a woman in the NorCal tennis community mean to you?

A: As a sports journalist with more than 30 years experience, I have seen all the ups and downs and injuries and how sometimes everything goes right and others it doesn't but having perspective is important. I blew out my elbow nearly four years ago and about a year after surgery, Warriors coach Steve Kerr asked me how my elbow felt and if I was back playing tennis — I was a bit grouchy and told him I was doing OK and was 0-10 in tennis. He reminded me, "Janie, that's 10 opportunities you've had to still compete in the sport you love." From that moment on I changed my entire attitude, began bringing little motivational cards to matches that I wrote on to both teammates and opponents. Focusing on sportsmanship and kindness became my No. 1 mission, and I started to win again. 

Q: What has tennis given you beyond the court - whether that’s confidence, friendship, community, or purpose?

A: When I began volunteering in San Quentin playing tennis in August 2022 I was able to write a story for The Associated Press about my experience, which Jessica Pegula then posted on her social media. The Tennis Channel came out to do a documentary and that will forever be the biggest tennis victory of my career, because it shed light on a forgotten population and showed how tennis can create community and bring people of all backgrounds together, even inside prison walls. I have since started a program inside Solano State Prison in Vacaville, where one man last month told me that playing tennis and being with all of us who come in as volunteers makes him feel like he isn't in prison for a day.

Q: Who are the women in the tennis community who have inspired or supported you along the way?

A: Caroline Hauck and Pearl Leung in Alameda have been dear friends of mine and both longtime captains and players who know the ins and outs of USTA and are committed to building the tennis community for everyone. 

In Emeryville, Nu Opapongpand led the way for a court resurfacing project at her condominium complex and also worked tirelessly to bring women together to play from all over the East Bay.

Q: What inspired you to give back through volunteering, leadership, or service in tennis?

A: I took 25 years away from tennis after playing lower-level collegiate tennis because I had lost my joy for the sport, taking it far too seriously and becoming upset when I lost or didn't play well. After the pandemic, I began seeing how much everybody was having at Washington Park in Alameda and I decided to pick up a racket again, and finding ways to help others through the sport is a way to honor both my late father and grandfather because that carries on their legacies of how they lived to serve. 

Q: How have you seen women help shape and strengthen the tennis community here in Northern California?

A: I have been inspired by women such as Kristin Fairfield and Petra Ahvenainen captaining men's teams in order for different public parks to be able to field teams, and women such as Jill Van Slyke who is willing to take a chance on players so they can develop at higher levels without her only concern being about winning. That is true leadership in growing the game we love.

Q: What’s one moment in your tennis journey that reminded you how powerful women supporting women can be?

A: As the mom of two teenage daughters, I know how powerful it is for them to see a strong woman competing with courage and kindness. It reminds them that they can do anything they set their minds to and that there is a way to stay active and athletic throughout their lives, no matter the challenges or ups and downs they may face, through a positive outlet that welcomes players of all levels and abilities.

Q: Why is it so important for women and girls to feel welcomed, seen, and represented in spaces like tennis?

A: Andrew Hom, a local tennis coach, has coached beginner women and young girls into competitive league USTA players with his caring, nurturing approach and he is just one example of the people who are making tennis better from the ground up. He helps breed confidence for women and girls by making sure it is fun first, which is what we all strive for when we compete.

Q: What do you hope the next generation of girls and women in the NorCal tennis community feels when they step onto the court or into this community?

A: Just as tennis and its wonderful community welcomed me back after a long absence, I hope that when a girl or woman steps onto a tennis court anywhere, she feels welcomed to hit with anyone at any level, knowing that we all started somewhere and that even players at higher skill levels began from scratch at one point too. Tennis brings people together from all over the world, and that is a special thing.