Tennis Star Melanie Oudin Joins the AirTran Airways Team

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), announced today its partnership with U.S. Open quarterfinalist and Marietta, Ga., resident Melanie Oudin. The 17-year-old sensation has become the newest team member on the low-cost carrier's roster of sports endorsers and will be featured in radio spots and state-of-the-art, high-impact billboards in Atlanta, where AirTran is the second largest carrier, and in other markets throughout the carrier's coast-to-coast network.

"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," said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways' vice president of marketing and sales. "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 is currently ranked number 44 in the world on the Sony Ericsson WTA Singles Tour and, appearing in only her second U.S. Open, recently topped seeded players Elena Dementieva (#4), Maria Sharapova (#29) and Nadia Petrova (#13) before being eliminated in the quarterfinals. Oudin was the youngest quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open since Serena Williams' appearance in 1999, and is now the third highest ranked American singles player behind Serena and Venus Williams.

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

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.

Media Contacts:

AirTran Airways
Christopher White
Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
678.254.7442

Source: pressroom.airtran.com

Melanie Oudin's Dad Accuses Mom of Affair With Coach

By Anne-Marie Dorning - Tennis darling Melanie Oudin made a splash at the U.S. Open this year by unexpectedly thrashing top-ranked Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova before being finally beaten in the U.S. Open quarter finals. Oudin's wins are all the more impressive because unbeknownst to tennis fans, the 17-year-old phenom has been dealing with a difficult and messy family situation.

SI.com reports that Melanie's father, John Oudin, filed for divorce from Leslie Oudin, Melanie's mother, last year on the grounds of adultery. The "other man" cited in the court records is Melanie's coach, Brian deVilliers, according to SI.com.

The report details a sworn statement by John Oudin that reads in part, "On December 29, 2007, I confronted my wife about whether she was having an affair with Brian deVilliers. I confronted Brian deVilliers separately. My wife and Brian deVilliers both admitted to me they were having an affair."

Melanie and her twin sister, Katherine, may have known about the alleged affair, according to the SI.com story which quotes an affidavit filed by John Oudin.

"Both [Melanie and Katherine] asked me point blank if I thought Mom was having an affair with Brian. When I asked why they had suspicions, Melanie told on one occasion she woke up at 1 a.m. in her hotel room and Leslie was not there. She called Brian's cell phone and connected with her."

According to the report, the divorce filings include an order that Leslie Oudin "… not interact with Brian deVilliers except as it specifically relates to the children's tennis activities…[and] not to travel with Brian deVilliers to any tennis tournaments in which the children are participating."

DeVilliers is the director of the Racquet Club of the South (RCS) based in Norcross, Ga., where Melanie and Katherine Oudin have been students for eight years. The website for deVilliers' club touts its students' achievements with a banner that reads "more National Titles in 2007-2008 than any other U.S. Academy." There are pictures of a smiling Coach deVilliers surrounded by his students on the courts.

Melanie Oudin Also Battled Through Family Drama

In a September interview on Tennis.com, Brian deVilliers was asked about Melanie Oudin and the Oudin family. De Villiers replied, "They're just a normal family. I've been very lucky."

Leslie and John Oudin both traveled to London to see their daughter compete at Wimbeldon this year and television cameras also captured the two in the player's box for Melanie's match against Nadia Petrova.

Press reports indicate the divorce proceedings are ongoing.

Source: abcnews.go.com