Andrea Jaeger (/ˈjeɪɡər/YAY-gər; born June 4, 1965) is an American former professional tennis player. She started her professional tennis career at the age of 14 and went on to win pro tennis tournaments while still competing in other junior tennis events.[3][4] By the age of 16, she was the second ranked female professional tennis player in the world. She reached the singles finals at the French Open in 1982 and at Wimbledon in 1983. She also reached the singles semifinals at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. During her career, she won 10 singles titles. In mixed doubles, she won the French Open with Jimmy Arias in 1981. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2.
After sustaining a shoulder injury in 1984, Jaeger shifted her focus from professional tennis to humanitarian projects she had begun as a teenager. She committed her tennis earnings to developing programs that provide support to children with cancer and those in need. Now in its 39th year, her initiative offers financial assistance and various care services to affected children and their families. Nelson Mandela once visited to recognize the work of her foundation.
At 19, a shoulder injury abruptly ended her tennis career. In 2006, she joined the Anglican Dominican order, but left in 2009.[5]
While a student at Stevenson High School, Jaeger was the top-ranked player in the United States in the 18-and-under age group.[9] She won 13 U.S. national junior titles, including the most prominent junior titles in tennis: the 1979 Orange Bowl and 1979 Boca Raton.[10]
In 1980 (at the age of 15 years, 19 days), Jaeger became the youngest player ever to be seeded at Wimbledon,[11] a record that was broken by Jennifer Capriati in 1990.[12] After defeating former champion Virginia Wade, she became the youngest quarterfinalist in the history of the tournament.[13] Later in the year, she became the youngest semifinalist in US Open history. By the age of 16, she had become the second ranked female professional tennis player in the world.[7][14]
Jaeger became a household name on the front pages of news publications, notable magazines and appearances on TV. People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Life Magazine visited her junior high and high school. One of her endorsement commercials featured Jaeger with Bjorn Borg and another with her Mom, highlighting a new way of viewing sports prodigies.[citation needed]
At the French Open in 1982, Jaeger defeated Chris Evert in the semifinal 6–3, 6–1 but lost the final to Martina Navratilova. She then reached the semifinals of both the US Open and the Australian Open, losing both matches to Evert in straight sets.[15] Jaeger and Evert met 10 times in all in 1982, with Jaeger winning three of the first five but losing the last five in a row.[16][17]
At Wimbledon in 1983, Jaeger defeated six-time Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King 6–1, 6–1 in a semifinal on Centre Court, which was King's last career singles match at that tournament and her most lopsided singles defeat at Wimbledon.[18][19] Jaeger then lost the final to Navratilova.[20][21][22]
Jaeger won eight of the nine singles matches she played for the U.S. in Fed Cup. She also won two of the three Wightman Cup singles matches she played for the U.S., resulting in the U.S. winning Fed Cup and Wightman Cup trophies.[23]
A major shoulder injury at the age of 19 ended Jaeger's career in 1985. Jaeger obtained a degree in theology and ministry training.[24][25]
During her career, Jaeger won U.S. $1.4 million in prize money and had endorsement deals with clothing, racket, shoes, watch and fast food restaurants.[1]
Philanthropy
Jaeger used her winnings from tennis to create the Silver Lining Foundation in 1990.[26] The foundation's purpose was to provide long term care to children with cancer and children in need.[27] Originally located in Aspen, Colorado, the organization transported groups of young cancer patients to Aspen for a week of support and activities, including horseback riding and whitewater rafting. The foundation also provided money for programs for children who could not travel. The first contributor was John McEnroe.[28] Many high-profile celebrities were involved, including Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, David Robinson, Cindy Crawford, David Foster and Kevin Costner.[29] The foundation was later renamed ‘Little Star Foundation’, paying tribute to Rhea Olsen, a teenager with cancer from Chicago. Olsen became best friends with Jaeger and became the first-ever paid employee of the Foundation. Jaeger helped Olsen for years before her death.[30][31]
Jaeger's autobiography, First Service, was published in 2004. In the book, she discussed her teenage years as a tennis player and her focus on serving God. All proceeds from the book were donated to children's charities.[35]
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and other natural disasters, Jaeger's Foundation provided food, medical, daily, educational and recreational supplies and support to help.[36][37][38][39]
In September 2025, Jaeger attended the unveiling of a “Pressure is a Privilege” plaque honoring Billie Jean King at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the U.S. Open.[44] She reflected on her 1983 Wimbledon semifinal against King, describing it as an honor to share the court with her, and said that King’s phrase “Pressure is a privilege” continues to influence her outlook and charitable work.[45]
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