Sending A “Big Babe” Shoutout to Sportscaster Mary Carrillo

 

Tonight’s the night Mary Carillo will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She’ll share this honor with tennis great, Rodger Federer.

Mary is being recognized as the first woman to work as a full-time tennis journalist. Carillo’s glass-ceiling-breaking career has spanned more for more than 40 years,  Often exploring the nexus between culture and sports her unconventional coverage  tells stories from a woman’s point of view.

 

Analytical, irreverent and unpredictable, Mary Carillo has been an irrepressible advocate for women ~ and sometimes that’s  cost her a job!

It’s easy to assume Carillo’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame celebration will be over shadowed by Federer’s accomplishments. He’s kinda the Swiss Army knife of the sport. But, after listening to Mary in a pre-ceremony press conference with ITHOF President Patrick McEnroe and ITHOF CEO Dan Faber ~ this chick’s got game.

It’s true, Federer’s shadow is large, but Carillo holds court in a “Big Babe Way”!  ( A phrase she coined as an homage to Lindsay Davenport and the Williams sisters for modernizing the game as heavy hitters)

From 1977-1980 the lefty-lady spent 3 years on the pro tour, earring a top ranking of 33rd in the world. With John Mc Enroe she won the 1977 French Open.

Since then she’s added commentary to the sport with a history of overlooking inconvenient facts. In 2021, she stepped aside from her role as presenter at the Rod Laver Cup when serious accusations of domestic abuse against Alexander Zverev were considered an ‘off-court’ call and too hot to handle.

During Friday’s press conference, when she spoke of lucky breaks she’s been given throughout her career Mary’s deep voice broke.  She’s deeply grateful for global opportunities that help her reframe court-line news with dignity. As a result she’s a passionate advocate for women in sports journalism.

Carillo’s spin on sports-life transcends gender. She slices into humanity, cutting to the core of a story she’s often funny, with signature syntax she is, as we say in Boston, “Wicked Smart,”

In praise of her co-honoree Rodger Federer she quoted Arthur Schopenhauer, an 18th century philosopher

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see”

Today, tennis fans honor Mary Carillo for her genius. She’s been hitting unseen targets for more than 40 years.

Tennis fans know sometimes “it’s the luck of the draw” that sets up a power players day. Carillo’s career was built on more than luck.  Through talent and hard word she’s earned today’s induction into the International Hall of Fame.

Big Babes everywhere thank you Mary….. Looks like your ride is waiting!

catch live coverage of the ceremony on the Tennis channel