Tennis Star Oudin to Endorse Air Tran

(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE)-- Melanie Oudin, the 17-year-old Marietta tennis phenom that captivated the nation with her performance at the U.S. Open, has signed on to be a pitch woman with AirTran Airways Inc., the airline said Friday.

Oudin will be featured in radio ads and billboards throughout the Atlanta area. Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran (NYSE: AAI) is the second largest airline in Atlanta.

"I am thrilled to have AirTran as a partner as I strive to reach my goals as a professional tennis player," Oudin said in a statement. "It means so much to me that a local company is supporting me and I am truly excited about this partnership."

Oudin joins a stable of Atlanta and national sports celebrity endorsers for the low-cost carrier, which has its largest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"Melanie Oudin has quickly become a household name in the world of tennis, and we are so proud of her accomplishments both on and off the court," Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways' vice president of marketing and sales, said in a statement. "Melanie joins a great lineup of celebrity endorsers including Indy Racing Star Danica Patrick, Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan, Atlanta Thrasher Ilya Kovalchuk and Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning just to name just a few."

Oudin became the youngest women's player to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals since Serena Williams in 1999. She defeated No. 4-ranked Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova (No. 29) and Nadia Petrova (No. 13).

Oudin is now ranked No. 44 in the world, and is the third-highest rated American women's tennis player.

AirTran recently took over as the official airline of the Atlanta Falcons.