Julie Heldman

From the stately mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, to the glitz of NYC, Summer 2021 was just plain wonderful! I hope you enjoy my article!

My energy was back after having spent some lovely time laying low in quarantine with my husband, Bernie, and because of this I was able to join my Original 9 pals for celebrations, balls, awards and more over the last few months.

Over the years I missed a variety of Original 9 reunions + events due to my battle with bipolar disorder. I’ve also avoided all major tennis events over the past 30-odd years. However, Summer 2021 was unlike any other... @WTA wtatennis.com/news/2266073/j…

A big thank you to @LAParentMag for including my memoir, DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY, in their September 2021 Book Corner! #author #Mentalhealth #parenting laparent.com/keyword/fall-r…

“My mother was brilliant, creative, and extremely hard working, and she was determined in her vision of what tennis could be.” @JulieHeldman, accepting the Eugene L. Scott Award posthumously on behalf of her mother, Hall of Famer Gladys Heldman ✨

I concluded by saying “I'm extremely proud of what mom did for the world of tennis. So please forgive my lack of false modesty when I say that no one could deserve the Gene Scott award more than Gladys. I thank you so much for bestowing this honor on my mother.”

In my speech, I spoke from my heart about Mom’s passion for tennis and her dedication to the sport, and I also disclosed many of the huge obstacles she faced along the way as our fierce leader.

On Saturday, September 11, my mother was posthumously honored with the Eugene L. Scott Award at the @TennisHalloFame's Legends Ball. #USOpen tennisfame.com/news/2021/euge…

When I was told that the Original 9 would be getting rings from the @TennisHalloFame, I pictured the overly garish rings bestowed on Super Bowl champs. Instead, they gave us these beautiful pieces of jewelry, wearable everywhere, & engraved just for us. Thx Hall of Fame! #USOpen

"You are living proof that when women stand together, anything is possible." - @Stacey_Allaster, the first female tournament director of the #USOpen #Original9 | @WTA

The Original 9 was awarded with their @TennisHalloFame rings in a special ceremony tonight. Thank you for all you have done for equality in sports. #BeOpen

Ring ready✨ Six of the newest Hall of Famers, the #Original9, were presented with their official ITHF rings under the lights on Arthur Ashe tonight. A truly special #USOpen moment.

It was such an honor to be on the court of the Arthur Ashe stadium with my pals and rivals, The Original Nine. Tonight, we were presented with our official ITHF rings. Thank you to the @usta and @TennisHalloFame for this wonderful honor. @usopen. (Photo taken by my family)

Looking forward to being back on the show!

"My mother lived and breathed #tennis, at the expense of normal #motherhood. To cover her tracks, she developed a screwy theory, that children were really just small adults, who did not need care and attention." - @JulieHeldman #authorinterview #toberead thetableread.co.uk/author-intervi…

When the induction occurred in July, I felt thrilled, honored, and so very proud to be among my old pals and rivals as we accepted the huge honor. And now I’m back on social media, renewed and ready to explore new avenues. More is coming soon . . .

because I instantly knew that, for the first time in decades, I would be able to do attend such a major event in the tennis world. The insistent and deep depression that has plagued me for so very long was finally lifting enough to enable me to partake in major celebrations.

Hello, social media world! I’m back! From March 2020 until early 2021, I was hunkered down during the pandemic with my husband Bernie and our beloved Abby, aka Abigail von Wiggle Butt.