Tennis Star Melanie Oudin Joins the AirTran Airways Team

/PRNewswirel/ -- 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."

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