Tennis is still an important part of his life, though. It all started when Owens was 7 and he saw two Black tennis legends playing on TV.
“Those two Black girls were Serena and Venus Williams,” Owens said. “Before, I didn’t think that we could play tennis. You know, it’s not one of the things we think of as Black sports.”
Intrigued, Owens picked up a racquet and began playing through USTA. But because he was from a small town there weren’t many opportunities to play, especially at his high school.
“I would have to drive up to St. Louis just to play in USTA tournaments, and that was really the only tennis exposure I had,” Owens said.
His exceptional talent shined, and Owens picked up a scholarship to play at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. Afterward, he began coaching at Missouri high schools, first at Sikeston then at Notre Dame.
But even after he decided on the Blues for his future, he never gave up on tennis, his former players or his community. He leads summertime clinics for adults and children in lower-income areas, and he stays in close touch with the people he plays with.
“They know that any time they need me, or they want someone to hit with or they need help with their game, I’ll always be there,” Owens said.
To view additional Black History Month stories from across USTA Missouri Valley, click here.