Plante was born in Dover, Delaware and spent her childhood in an orphanage. She was married for 25 years and had six children. She served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where she became a ping-pong champion.

At 30 years old, Plante took up tennis and began eliminating her competition within the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Goodman pokes fun at Plante for her unique style of play, saying her swing resembles the choppy movements of a ping-pong player. Plante cares little about Goodman’s jabs saying, “I play to win!”

Plante says her national ranking should not be confused with amateur status. She also says that she has played with almost every well-known player in the sport including Billy Jean King. According to Plante, King herself gave it her all at the Les Grande Dames tournaments, winning, losing and then quitting.

“It happens frequently to the greatest of the greats, who come to win but find themselves losing,” said Plante. “Many of the past champions can’t compete with the other women in their age brackets who have kept themselves fit.”

Plante said as she gets older she gets sharper.

“My geometry of the court improves with experience,” Plante said.

In Florida, Plante plays four times a week on four separate teams, and during her off time she plays golf, spends time on her boat and loves bridge. Both Plante and Goodman said bridge is the more cerebral game while tennis is more of an adrenalin rush. Plante said tennis would always be her first love and plans to play the sport until the day she dies.