On the Court with Melissa McCorkle

For many Tulsa kids, learning tennis begins with two things: the pop of a ball on a racket and Melissa McCorkle waiting on the court. As tennis director at LaFortune Tennis Center, McCorkle has spent decades introducing young players to a sport she believes can shape confidence, focus and friendships for life.

McCorkle’s love for tennis began early. She picked up a racket at age 9 and was instantly hooked—not just by the physical challenge, but by the rhythm and thoughtfulness of the game.

“I loved everything about it—the athleticism of moving and hitting the ball on the run, the fact that it’s an individual sport where you’re involved in every point and the opportunity to constantly challenge yourself,” she said.

It’s also why McCorkle believes tennis is such a great sport for kids. It teaches focus and concentration as children learn to track the ball and anticipate play. Tennis can be played indoors or outdoors and requires only one other player, making it accessible for many families, she said.

“Most importantly, tennis is truly a lifetime sport,” McCorkle said. “Every child should have the opportunity to learn it.”

At LaFortune, McCorkle oversees summer tennis camps designed to meet kids where they are. Peewee Camp introduces children ages 4 to 7 to tennis through fun, age-appropriate activities that build familiarity with the game. Small instructor-to-student ratios ensure lots of encouragement and individual attention. Junior Summer Camp serves kids ages 6 to 16, grouping players by age and skill level so beginners can learn fundamentals while more experienced players continue developing their game.

McCorkle has been part of LaFortune Tennis Center since 2003 and has served as tennis director since the beginning. Before that, she spent 17 years teaching and coaching tennis at Metro Christian Academy and Sand Springs Schools. Her long career—and her influence on the sport—earned her induction in the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame.

Kids around Tulsa often recognize McCorkle when she’s out in public, a fact that she greets with a laugh. Those moments, she says, are reminders of the strong sense of community tennis creates.

“It always makes me happy to see the kids around Tulsa and connect with them outside of the tennis courts,” she said.

A Tulsa native, McCorkle attended Tulsa Public Schools before going on to Oklahoma Baptist University. She is married to her husband, David, and has one son, Peter. Tennis truly runs in the family—Peter and his wife are raising two young sons, Luke and Brooks, who are just starting to play. When she’s not on the courts, McCorkle enjoys walking, hiking, biking and spending time with her dog, Roxy.