National tennis professional Laura Gilbert has become the new director of tennis at the Arlington Tennis Center. Gilbert’s first day on the job will be Monday, March 15.

Gilbert brings nearly three decades of experience in tennis administration and education to Arlington. As a touring professional player in the 1970s, Gilbert reached a No. 25 world ranking in 1976. She led high school and college men and ladies teams to state championships in the early 90s at Texas Wesleyan University and Meadowbrook Christian School. She has also served as the director of tennis at the Wellington Racquet Club in Long Island, NY.

Gilbert is currently the community development coordinator for the United States Tennis Association - Texas Section for North Texas. She also serves as director of the Competitive Training Center, a USTA national high performance program at Texas Christian University for junior tennis athletes.

Among her professional accomplishments, Gilbert is a founder of the Northeast Tarrant County Tennis Association and led the development of the Southlake Tennis Center, which opened in 1998 in the city of Southlake.

Jennifer Fadden, assistant director of the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department, said Gilbert was chosen from a national pool of applicants. Fadden said it was Gilbert’s combination of technical, management and professional playing experience that made her the best overall fit for the director’s position.

Gilbert says one of her goals is to help make the Arlington Tennis Center more than just a place to play tennis.

"My first order of business will be to organize an outstanding group of tennis professionals to teach the game of tennis," she said. "I would like to build a learning environment that is fun with a staff of professionals who will make everyone feel welcome."