Melanie Oudin proves that a little faith and determination can go a long way.

After emblazoning her shoes with the word “Believe” at the US Open last year, Oudin became the first American woman since Serena Williams (1999) to reach the quarterfinals at just 17 years old.

And while many didn’t think the Marietta, Georgia native had what it took to compete at the professional level, Oudin remained steadfast against critics, with big wins over Number 1 ranked Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon to make it to the fourth round, and then knocking off Elena Dementieva(4), Maria Sharapova (29), and Nadia Petrova (13) before being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Open.

With such an incredible 2009, Oudin was named Rookie of the Year by Tennis Magazine. We all look forward to even greater successes for her in 2010!