[2][3] Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Reid won two State AAA singles championships while a Washington High School student.

He ranked 10th in the U.S. for the 14s age division and was the first African American to win a Georgia state junior title.

[4] Reid won the American Tennis Association singles championship in 1972 and was considered a protege of former world number one Arthur Ashe, who provided him with financial support.

[5][6] Attending UCLA on a scholarship, he played No.4 singles and No.1 doubles for the Bruins, before dropping out his second year.

[7] Following his time at the Bruins, Reid began competing on the professional tour and achieved a best singles world ranking of 272.