Who is McCartney Kessler? U.S. college star one to watch in Indian Wells

Just in time for the Sunshine Swing: meet the most talented American tennis star you’ve never heard of.

McCartney Kessler may not quite carry the name recognition of compatriots Coco Gauff or Taylor Fritz, but the 25-year-old’s stock is rising fast as she prepares to play the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open for the first time since cracking the Top 50 in January.

“It’s fun having a lot of firsts,” said Kessler, who began entering WTA tournaments only 14 months ago. “It’s exciting going to new places and learning about the tournaments and figuring out where I’m excited to come back to next year.”

Six weeks after playing her first WTA main draw at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland, Kessler won a WTA 125K in Puerto Vallarta, fulfilling the dream she held throughout her tenure as a college tennis standout at the University of Florida.

It’s fun having a lot of firsts. It’s exciting going to new places and learning about the tournaments and figuring out where I’m excited to come back to next year. McCartney Kessler

“It was always in the back of my head, something I always wanted to do after four and a half years of college,” said Kessler, who graduated in 2022. “It took me a few months to decide that I wanted to do it because I knew it had to be done full force or not at all. So, I took some time off after college but once I started playing, I was ready to go and really excited.”

Read more: McCartney Kessler stuns Coco Gauff in Dubai

Six months later, she was in the winner’s circle again, capturing a WTA 250 title in Cleveland. She kicked off 2025 with another 250-level trophy in Hobart and heads to Indian Wells fresh off a final in Austin, where she lost to fellow American Jessica Pegula.

“I’ve been around many American players for a long time,” Kessler told me in Dubai, where she defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets to score her first Top 10 victory. “That definitely gave me motivation, like I know that they’re doing well and maybe I can do well, too. That inspired and motivated me to do the same or do even better. It’s competitive where you want your fellow Americans to win, but you’re also competing to see if you can do better.”

Armed with a heavy forehand and an all-court game, Kessler was a three-time All-American playing for the Florida Gators. She hails from a tennis family: parents Julie and Carl both played at University of Central Florida; older brother McClain, who now serves as her coach, also played at UF.

“It’s great because he’s always been kind of helping me with my tennis, both growing up and in college because we were both at the same school,” said Kessler. “We were always around each other, which makes it fun. We have fun when we’re on the road: me, my husband, and brother. We’re able to go on court and do coaching things and then go to dinner and be friends and family. It works out really well.”

It was through her family that she met her now-husband Zach, who she married at the start of a busy off-season in December.

“I think it was good because at the end of the season last year, a lot of people were getting tired and the wedding gave me something to look forward to,” recalled Kessler, who returned to the Top 50 after her run in Austin. “During the off-season, I took some mental time away from tennis; I was still on court a little bit but was mainly having a lot of fun and getting ready for the wedding.”

In between a ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee and a honeymoon in Cabo, Kessler embraced the challenge of her first pre-season as a full-fledged WTA player, eager to parlay her early momentum into long-term success.

“There was definitely a learning curve in terms of how long I want to be on court training and how we want to structure the practices,” Kessler told me. “In college, it’s a lot of morning practice before class, and then you practice again or you’re in the weight room. In the pros, it’s more beneficial to do one longer practice and then spend time in the gym.

“We definitely structured that to our advantage and learned from last year. You also play a lot of later matches in the pros, so practicing later in the day can also be beneficial even though it can be nice to practice in the morning and get it over with! But sometimes, waiting around and practicing later in the day can be what prepares you for matches on tour.”

Showing a poise and preparedness on par with childhood idol Maria Sharapova, Kessler has already amassed 14 match wins in two months, impressing peers like Amanda Anisimova when she snapped the Doha champion’s winning streak in Dubai.

“I think what McCartney is doing is phenomenal,” said Anisimova, who had just won her first WTA 1000 title before Kessler defeated her in straight sets. “It's quite incredible. I think a few years ago not many players were doing that.

“It's quite different on the tour level than obviously match play in college. So, I think she's been having a great year. She's playing some good tennis.”

Kessler first started growing her fan base after winning in Cleveland. After impressing Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey in Austin, a strong run in Indian Wells or Miami could see that cheering section explode by the time she returns to New York for her second US Open.

“Hopefully, I’ll have my first second week at a big 1000 or Grand Slam,” she said with a smile. “That’s the goal.”