Corina Morariu

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Corina Morariu
Corina Morariu at the 2009 US Open 01.jpg
Morariu at the 2009 US Open
Full nameCorina Maria Morariu
Country (sports)Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
Born (1978-01-26) January 26, 1978 (age 47)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Turned pro1994
Retired2007
PlaysRight (one-handed backhand)
Prize money$1,733,916
Singles
Career record160–134
Career titles1 WTA, 5 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 29 (August 24, 1998)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open 2R (1998)
French Open 2R (1998, 2000, 2003)
Wimbledon 3R (1998, 1999)
US Open 2R (1997)
Doubles
Career record248–158
Career titles13 WTA, 9 ITF
Highest ranking No. 1 (April 3, 2000)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open F (2001, 2005)
French Open SF (2005)
Wimbledon W (1999)
US Open QF (1999, 2002, 2005, 2007)
Mixed doubles
Career record21–22
Career titles1
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open W (2001)
French Open QF (2003, 2005)
Wimbledon 3R (2006)
US Open SF (2002, 2005)

Corina Maria Morariu (born January 26, 1978) is an American former professional tennis player.

Contents

Morariu (pronounced: mo-RA-R'ju) was born in Detroit, Michigan and is of Romanian descent. [1] She turned professional in 1994. Mainly known as a doubles specialist, she won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1999 with Lindsay Davenport. She also won the mixed-doubles title at the 2001 Australian Open with Ellis Ferreira. She reached the Australian Open women's doubles final with Davenport in 2005. She also reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2000. [2]

In 2001, Morariu was diagnosed with leukemia and began a program of chemotherapy. [3] During this time, Jennifer Capriati dedicated her 2001 French Open victory to Morariu. [4] After recovering from cancer, along with shoulder surgery, Morariu was largely restricted to doubles play. [2] The WTA then created the Corina Comeback Award, which was presented to Morariu by Capriati. [5]

Morariu retired from the tour in 2007. She is an International Sports Ambassador for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and has released a memoir titled Living Through the Racket: How I Survived Leukemia...and Rediscovered My Self. [5] Following her retirement, she began working as a commentator for Tennis Channel. [6]

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win 1999 Wimbledon Grass Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of South Africa.svg Mariaan de Swardt
Flag of Ukraine.svg Elena Tatarkova
6–4, 6–4
Loss 2001 Australian Open Hard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of the United States.svg Serena Williams
Flag of the United States.svg Venus Williams
2–6, 6–2, 4–6
Loss 2005 Australian OpenHard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of Russia.svg Svetlana Kuznetsova
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alicia Molik
3–6, 4–6

Mixed doubles: 1 (title)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win 2001 Australian Open Hard Flag of South Africa.svg Ellis Ferreira Flag of Austria.svg Barbara Schett
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joshua Eagle
6–1, 6–3

WTA Tour finals

Corina Morariu hitting a forehand Corina Morariu Acura Classic 2007.jpg
Corina Morariu hitting a forehand

Singles: 4 (1–3)

Legend
Tier I (0–0)
Tier II (0–0)
Tier III (0–1)
Tier IV (1–2)
ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1May 1997 Bol Ladies Open, CroatiaClay Flag of Croatia.svg Mirjana Lučić 5–7, 7–6(9–7), 6–7(5–7)
Loss0–2Apr 1998 Japan Open, TokyoHard Flag of Japan.svg Ai Sugiyama 3–6, 3–6
Loss0–3May 1998Bol Ladies Open, CroatiaClay Flag of Croatia.svg Mirjana Lučić2–6, 4–6
Win1–3May 1999Bol Ladies Open, CroatiaClay Flag of France.svg Julie Halard-Decugis 6–2, 6–0

Doubles: 20 (13–7)

Legend
Grand Slam (1–2)
Tier I (1–2)
Tier II (3–2)
Tier III (7–1)
Tier IV (1–0)
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.Apr 1997Japan Open, TokyoHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry-Anne Guse Flag of France.svg Alexia Dechaume-Balleret
Flag of Japan.svg Rika Hiraki
4–6, 2–6
Win1.Nov 1997 Pattaya Open, ThailandHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kristine Kunce Flag of Argentina.svg Florencia Labat
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dominique Monami
6–3, 6–4
Win2.Jan 1999 Brisbane International, AustraliaHard Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Neiland Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kristine Kunce
Flag of Romania.svg Irina Spîrlea
6–3, 6–4
Win3.Apr 1999Japan Open, TokyoHard Flag of the United States.svg Kimberly Po Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry-Anne Guse
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Catherine Barclay
6–3, 6–2
Win4.Jun 1999 Birmingham Classic, UKGrass Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Neiland Flag of Argentina.svg Inés Gorrochategui
Flag of France.svg Alexandra Fusai
6–4, 6–4
Win5.Jul 1999 Wimbledon Championships, UKGrass Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of South Africa.svg Mariaan de Swardt
Flag of Ukraine.svg Elena Tatarkova
6–4, 6–4
Win6.Jul 1999 Stanford Classic, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of Russia.svg Anna Kournikova
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Likhovtseva
6–4, 6–4
Win7.Aug 1999 San Diego Open, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of the United States.svg Venus Williams
Flag of the United States.svg Serena Williams
6–4, 6–1
Win8.Feb 2000 Cellular South Cup, U.S.Hard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Kimberly Po Flag of Thailand.svg Tamarine Tanasugarn
Flag of Ukraine.svg Elena Tatarkova
6–4, 4–6, 6–2
Win9.Mar 2000 Indian Wells Open, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of Russia.svg Anna Kournikova
Flag of Belarus.svg Natasha Zvereva
6–2, 6–3
Win10.May 2000Bol Ladies Open, CroatiaClay Flag of France.svg Julie Halard-Decugis Flag of Slovenia.svg Katarina Srebotnik
Flag of Slovenia.svg Tina Križan
6–2, 6–2
Loss2.May 2000 German Open, BerlinClay Flag of South Africa.svg Amanda Coetzer Flag of Spain.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Flag of Spain.svg Conchita Martínez
6–3, 2–6, 6–7(7–9)
Win11.Oct 2000Japan Open, TokyoHard Flag of France.svg Julie Halard-Decugis Flag of Slovenia.svg Tina Križan
Flag of Slovenia.svg Katarina Srebotnik
6–1, 6–2
Loss3.Jan 2001 Australian Open, MelbourneHard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of the United States.svg Serena Williams
Flag of the United States.svg Venus Williams
2–6, 6–2, 4–6
Loss4.Nov 2004 Philadelphia Championships, U.S.Hard (i) Flag of South Africa.svg Liezel Huber Flag of the United States.svg Lisa Raymond
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alicia Molik
5–7, 4–6
Loss5.Jan 2005Australian Open, MelbourneHard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of Russia.svg Svetlana Kuznetsova
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alicia Molik
3–6, 4–6
Loss6.Feb 2005 Pan Pacific Open, TokyoCarpet (i) Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of Slovakia.svg Janette Husárová
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Likhovtseva
4–6, 3–6
Win12.Jan 2006 Sydney International, AustraliaHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rennae Stubbs Flag of Argentina.svg Paola Suárez
Flag of Spain.svg Virginia Ruano Pascual
6–3, 5–7, 6–2
Win13.Sep 2006 Bali Classic, IndonesiaHard Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Davenport Flag of South Africa.svg Natalie Grandin
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Trudi Musgrave
6–3, 6–4
Loss7.Oct 2006 Ladies Linz, AustriaHard (i) Flag of Slovenia.svg Katarina Srebotnik Flag of the United States.svg Lisa Raymond
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Samantha Stosur
3–6, 0–6

ITF Circuit finals

$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments

Singles (5–0)

ResultNo.DateLocationSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1.22 August 1994 Nicolosi, ItalyHard Flag of Italy.svg Giulia Casoni 7–5, 7–6(5)
Win2.22 May 1995 Salzburg, AustriaClay Flag of Austria.svg Patricia Wartusch 6–2, 6–2
Win3.29 May 1995 Katowice, PolandClay Flag of Poland.svg Ewa Radzikowska 6–4, 6–2
Win4.21 August 1995 Sochi, RussiaClay Flag of France.svg Anne-Gaëlle Sidot 6–4, 4–6, 6–0
Win5.23 February 1997 Bogotá, ColombiaClay Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Lenka Němečková 6–2, 6–3

Doubles (9–4)

ResultNo.DateLocationSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.July 17, 1994Olsztyn, PolandClay Flag of Slovakia.svg Henrieta Nagyová Flag of the Netherlands.svg Marielle Bruens
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Amanda Hopmans
4–6, 7–5, 5–7
Win2.August 22, 1994Nicolosi, ItalyHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Loretta Sheales Flag of Australia (converted).svg Natalie Frawley
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jenny Anne Fetch
6–1, 7–5
Win3.January 30, 1995İstanbul, TurkeyHard Flag of Greece.svg Christina Zachariadou Flag of Bulgaria.svg Dora Djilianova
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Desislava Topalova
6–3, 7–5
Loss4.April 3, 1995Athens, GreeceClay Flag of Greece.svg Christina Zachariadou Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Denisa Chládková
Flag of Slovakia.svg Patrícia Marková
2–6, 5–7
Win5.May 22, 1995Salzburg, AustriaClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Aarthi Venkatesan Flag of Slovenia.svg Tjaša Jezernik
Flag of North Macedonia.svg Marina Lazarovska
w/o
Win6.August 14, 1995Carthage, TunisiaClay Flag of Greece.svg Christina Zachariadou Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Denisa Chládková
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Daphne van de Zande
6–4, 7–6(7)
Win7.August 27, 1995Sochi, RussiaHard Flag of Ukraine.svg Elena Tatarkova Flag of Russia.svg Natalia Egorova
Flag of Finland.svg Petra Thorén
6–3, 7–5
Loss8.August 28, 1995Athens, GreeceClay Flag of Greece.svg Christina Zachariadou Flag of Poland.svg Magdalena Grzybowska
Flag of Slovakia.svg Henrieta Nagyová
w/o
Win9.December 4, 1995Cergy, FranceHard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Angela Lettiere Flag of Madagascar.svg Dally Randriantefy
Flag of Madagascar.svg Natacha Randriantefy
6–3, 7–5
Win10.January 27, 1996Mission, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Angela Lettiere Flag of the United States.svg Shannan McCarthy
Flag of the United States.svg Julie Steven
7–6(7), 6–2
Win11.February 17, 1996Midland, United StatesHard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Angela Lettiere Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams
Flag of the United States.svg Debbie Graham
7–6(4), 7–6(6)
Loss12.May 19, 1996Athens, GreeceClay Flag of the United States.svg Angela Lettiere Flag of South Africa.svg Liezel Horn
Flag of Greece.svg Christína Papadáki
5–7, 2–6
Win13.October 12, 1997Sedona, United StatesHard Flag of Romania.svg Cătălina Cristea Flag of South Africa.svg Liezel Horn
Flag of Argentina.svg Paola Suárez
7–5, 6–2

Doubles performance timeline

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
Tournament 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 SRW–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AA 2R 2R 2R SF F AA 3R F 1R 1R 0 / 919–9
French Open A 1R 1R 3R 2R AAA 1R A SF A 1R 0 / 77–7
Wimbledon A 1R 2R 2R W AAA 1R A 2R A 1R 1 / 79–6
US Open A 3R 1R 1R QF AA QF 1R 2R QF 2R QF 0 / 1016–10
Win–loss0–02–32–44–411–34–15–13–10–33–213–41–23–41 / 3351–32
Year-end championships
Tour Championships AAAA SF AAAAAAAA0 / 11–1
Year-end ranking
Ranking187816649614577815624153476

Awards

References

  1. Roberts, John (December 19, 2003). "Morariu returns after leukaemia battle". The Independent . Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  2. 1 2 DeSimone, Bonnie (March 26, 2007). "Corina Morariu happy to be on tour". ESPN. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  3. Banerjee, Sudeshna (July 28, 2009). "Corina Morariu: The Braveheart Who Defied Death". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  4. DeSimone, Bonnie (May 26, 2002). "She won't stay down for long". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "WTA Profile". wtatennis.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  6. Thurmond, Sarah (February 12, 2010). "Q&A With Corina Morariu, Cancer Survivor and Former Pro". tennis.com. Retrieved March 19, 2012.

Publications