St. Croix Junior Tennis: Big Dreams from a Small Island

Every so often, someone in our St. Croix community shares a story we think more people should read. This is one of them. Kelly Odom is a St. Croix mom whose son, Ozzy Odom, plays competitive junior tennis and has represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in both the Junior Davis Cup and the Men’s Davis Cup. Her account of St. Croix junior tennis is honest about what island life asks of a young athlete’s family, and about what it gives back.

For anyone thinking about moving here with kids, Kelly’s story is a useful look at everyday life beyond the beaches: the planning, the travel, and the pride of watching your child carry the Virgin Islands name onto an international court. We’re sharing it below in her own words, lightly edited.

Raising a Junior Tennis Player in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Big Dreams from a Small Island

By Kelly Odom

Raising a competitive junior tennis player in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been an incredible journey filled with pride, challenges, sacrifices, and unforgettable experiences.

Living on St. Croix, we are fortunate to have beautiful weather and the opportunity to play tennis year-round. But what many people don’t realize is just how difficult it can be to develop a competitive junior tennis player while living on a small Caribbean island.

Every Tournament Starts at the Airport

Unlike families on the mainland, where junior tournaments may be just a few hours’ drive away, nearly every competitive tournament for us involves getting on an airplane. Whether it’s Puerto Rico, Florida, or somewhere else in the United States, competing means airfare, hotels, rental cars, missed school days, and significant financial commitments.

One of our biggest challenges has been finding consistent, high-level competition. On a small island, there are only so many players to practice with. As our son has improved, finding players who can challenge him has become increasingly difficult. We’ve had to look beyond St. Croix for training opportunities, tournaments, and exposure to college coaches.

But there is another side to this experience that makes it incredibly special.

Wearing the Virgin Islands Uniform

Watching our son represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Junior Davis Cup and eventually the Men’s Davis Cup has been one of my proudest moments as a mother. Seeing him wear the Virgin Islands uniform and compete internationally reminds me that where you come from doesn’t determine how far you can go.

Along the way, tennis has taught him lessons that extend far beyond the court. He’s learned independence, discipline, resilience, and how to handle both victories and disappointments. As a parent, I’ve learned a few lessons myself, especially about patience, perseverance, and the importance of supporting your child’s dreams without losing sight of the joy of the game.

College Recruiting from an Island

Now, as we navigate the college recruiting process, we’re discovering another set of challenges. Finding the right university, communicating with coaches, understanding scholarships, and identifying a program where he can grow both academically and athletically can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it from an island thousands of miles away from many of the schools.

There have been early mornings, late nights, countless flights, and plenty of sacrifices. But there have also been friendships, adventures, incredible memories, and opportunities we might never have experienced without tennis.

I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.

Advice for Island Sports Parents

For other parents raising young athletes in the Virgin Islands, my advice is simple: Don’t let geography limit your child’s ambitions. The road may be more complicated, more expensive, and sometimes more frustrating, but opportunities are out there.

Our island may be small, and our resources may be limited, but the determination, talent, and heart of our young athletes are anything but.

As a mother, my greatest hope isn’t simply that my son becomes a successful college tennis player. It’s that he looks back on this journey knowing he worked hard, represented his island proudly, and learned that big dreams are worth pursuing, no matter where you call home.

Why St. Croix Junior Tennis Stories Matter

Kelly’s story stayed with us because it speaks to something families ask us about all the time: what is it really like to raise kids here? The answer is rarely simple. Some things take more effort on an island, and travel is one of them. Families who make it work tend to plan ahead, lean on each other, and take real pride in representing home.

For relocating families with a young athlete, Kelly’s experience points to a few practical questions worth asking early: where your child will train and who they will practice with, how tournament travel fits the family budget and school calendar, and how you will manage college recruiting from a distance. None of these are reasons to stay away. They are simply part of planning a life here well.

Tennis has come up often in our community coverage. We’ve written about the Just Beat It! tournament at the Tennis Club of St. Croix, which raised funds for Cancer Support VI, and about The Buccaneer winning the 2026 USTA Outstanding Facility Award. Ozzy’s path from local courts to the Davis Cup is another reminder of the talent growing up on St. Croix.

Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your family’s journey, and congratulations to Ozzy and every young athlete representing the Virgin Islands.

If Kelly’s story has you picturing your own family’s life on the island, browse current Sea Glass listings to see what’s available on St. Croix today.