Olympic legend pays tribute to sell-out Center Court crowds

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Kerri in action on Center Court as thousands of fans watch on. Photocredit: Martin Steinthaler.

Three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings thanked the support of all the fans who came out to support her and April Walsh at last week’s Fort Lauderdale Major.

Thousands of supporters flocked to Fort Lauderdale Beach throughout the tournament and packed the Center Court to cheer on all of the teams – not just Americans – taking part.

And, although Kerri and April’s run in the competition was ended by Agatha/Duda in the quarterfinals on a night of high drama under the floodlights, Kerri paid tribute to the beach fans who backed them with their noise and color throughout the first tournament of the 2017 season.

“It was awesome, the crowd gave us so much energy,” Walsh Jennings told us. “It was great to have so much energy from them and we certainly used that in our game on Center Court against Barbara and Fernanda.”

The pair were often in the spotlight on Center Court during the week – but that’s something they are no strangers to having regularly played under the lights during the Olympic Games last summer.

But the atmosphere under the floodlights on home sand was a little more special than that at the Olympics on the Copacabana according to Kerri.

“It was different for sure!” said the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist. “It’s nice to be appreciated. When you have a hometown crowd, you’ve got to take advantage of it when you have it. We don’t have that luxury on the Tour that often so you’ve got to capitalize on it.

“Of course having 10,000 Brazilian fans against you in the Olympics is always really fun but they are so respectful of April and I.”

Remember you can watch back every single match from the Fort Lauderdale Major on our BeachStream, so if you missed any of the action check it out now!