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Who is Anna Frey: Rising Star in Tennis and Social Media

Anna Frey is fast becoming a name known not only on the tennis courts but also across social media platforms. At a young age, she has already established herself as a high school phenom in Utah, drawing attention for both her athletic talents and her viral moment that sparked national conversation. In this article, we explore Anna Frey’s background, her rise to fame, what makes her unique, and what the future might hold for this young athlete-influencer.


Early Life & Tennis Beginnings

Anna Frey was born on November 5, 2007, in Farmington, Utah. Famous Birthdays+2Wikipedia+2 From a young age, she gravitated toward tennis, showing promising talent in junior competition. She attends Farmington High School and competes for national rankings in the junior tennis sphere. Sportskeeda+2The SportsRush+2

Her early accomplishments include winning Utah’s 6A girls singles state title, being honored as “Ms. Tennis” by Deseret News, and earning top state rankings among her class. Deseret News+1 These achievements established her as a serious prospect in youth tennis, even before her broader social media fame.


Social Media Fame & The Viral Moment

While Anna was already making noise in tennis circles, what truly pushed her into the national spotlight was something more unexpected: a viral similarity she shares with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Deseret News+2Know Your Meme+2

Here’s how it unfolded:

  • Users on TikTok began pointing out that Anna looked similar to Brock Purdy, which led to a wave of memes, edits, and shares. Know Your Meme+2Deseret News+2

  • During the 2024 Super Bowl run by the 49ers, the comparison intensified. Anna herself engaged with the meme, wearing a Purdy jersey in videos and responding humorously to the memes. Deseret News+2The SportsRush+2

  • Brock Purdy and his brother even acknowledged the meme publicly. Purdy laughed and said that if Anna turned slightly sideways “you could see it.” Deseret News

This viral moment helped Anna reach many more people than her tennis career alone would have. Her social media following grew dramatically, allowing her to bridge between sports and online influence. Deseret News+2The SportsRush+2


Athletic Achievements & Rankings

Even with her online popularity, Anna Frey isn’t just a social media star—she has credible tennis credentials:

  • She competes in junior and professional-level events, including participating in ITF tournaments. Sportskeeda+2The SportsRush+2

  • In 2024, she made headlines for defeating Tamara Korpatsch, who was ranked around global No. 100, in the Tennis in the Land tournament in Cleveland. Sportskeeda+1

  • She has committed to playing Division I tennis at the University of North Carolina (UNC Tar Heels), expected to join for the class of 2026. Sportskeeda

Her rise in rankings, despite her young age, shows that her progress is more than a social media phenomenon. Sportskeeda+1


Brand Deals, NIL, and Influence

Because of her dual status as athlete and influencer, Anna has been able to take advantage of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, which allow athletes to monetize their personal brand. Some highlights:

  • In November 2024, she signed deals with Head USA and FILA. These are international sportswear / equipment brands, reinforcing both her athletic credibility as well as her lifestyle / influencer profile. Sportskeeda+1

  • These partnerships allow her to show off not just her tennis skills but style, fashion, and the athletic gear she uses—and help inspire younger fans to engage with the sport. Forbes+1

Her following continues to grow: she has amassed over 2 million followers on TikTok and hundreds of thousands more on platforms like Instagram. Those numbers make her one of the most-followed young tennis players in the U.S. when combining athletic achievement with social/media reach. The SportsRush+2Sportskeeda+2


The “Anna Frey Meme” & Culture

Anna Frey’s reputation is tied in part to internet culture. The “Are you Brock Purdy?” meme is not just a passing moment; it demonstrates how quickly social media can create and amplify identity comparisons.

  • Her story shows how a viral moment, even one based on a resemblance, can catalyze visibility—and with her athletic background, give substance to the attention. Know Your Meme+2Deseret News+2

  • She has embraced this meme culture with humor and grace, responding to it rather than shying away. That has helped her maintain authenticity and engagement. Deseret News+1


Challenges & What’s Next

While her future looks promising, the path ahead also comes with challenges and crucial decisions:

  • As she enters Division I tennis, expectations will increase. Competing at UNC will require balancing academics, sports, and social presence.

  • Maintaining performance: Winning big matches, climbing rankings, and possibly entering Grand Slam events will require focus, training, and consistency.

  • Managing fame: Viral moments can be double‑edged. Though the Purdy meme has been favorable, public attention can bring pressure and scrutiny.

However, Anna seems well-positioned. She has demonstrated both athletic potential and social media savvy. Her brand deals and growing following make her one to watch both in tennis and influencer spaces.


Why Anna Frey Matters

Anna Frey stands at an interesting intersection of sports, social media, and youth culture. Her story is important for several reasons:

  1. New model of athlete-celebrity: She shows how young athletes can build followings beyond physical performance—through personality, memes, style, and content.

  2. Empowerment through opportunities: The NIL framework in the U.S. gives athletes like her the opportunity to benefit financially from their image at earlier stages than was possible before.

  3. Bridging communities: She draws attention from tennis fans, meme culture lovers, NFL and Purdy fans, and general social media users—connecting diverse groups.

  4. Inspiration for future athletes: Her path suggests that excellence in sport + authenticity in social media can go hand in hand.


Conclusion

Anna Frey is more than a meme or a viral face; she is a young athlete with real promise, powerful social media reach, and the potential to make a lasting impact. As she steps into higher levels of competition, joins college tennis at UNC, and expands her brand relationships, the eyes of sports fans, influencers, and the public are on her.

Her journey reminds us of how, in the digital age, talent, authenticity, and timing can combine to create something that resonates far beyond the tennis court. If you follow her now, you might just witness the making of something big.


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