Kerry Harris

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Kerry Harris
Kerry Harris 1969.jpg
Harris in 1969
Country (sports)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Residence Perth, Western Australia
Born (1949-09-19) 19 September 1949 (age 75)
Melbourne, Australia
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open SF (1972), QF(1973)
French Open 3R (1968)
Wimbledon 4R (1969, 1972)
US Open 3R (1971)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open W (1972), F (1973), F (1974)
French Open F (1971)

Kerry Harris (born 19 September 1949) is an Australian former professional tennis player, active from 1967 to 1975, who reached the semi-final of the 1972 Australian Open, and reached four Grand Slam doubles finals, of which she won one, in the 1972 Australian Open.

Contents

Career

Kerry’s early years were spent under the guidance of John Hildebrand (Snr), before being coached by Harry Hopman and trained by Stan Nicholes. In 1968, the first year of the open era, she was selected to be part of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia’s Touring Team with Harry Hopman as manager. Merv Rose was Kerry’s coach in the later years of her career.

Kerry first reached a Grand Slam final in the 1971 French Open Women's Doubles, partnering Helen Gourlay, They lost in two sets to defending champions Francoise Durr and Gail Chanfreau.

Kerry won the final of the 1971 French Open Women's Doubles, partnering Helen Gourlay, beating Patricia Coleman-Clegg and Karen Krantzcke. In the women’s singles, seeded number 6, she reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Virginia Wade in three sets.

Kerry represented Australia in the 1973 Bonne Bell Cup Team against the USA played in Sydney. When the WTA was formed in 1973 she was a Foundation Member.

She reached the women’s doubles final of the 1973 Australian Open and the 1974 Australian Open partnering Kerry Melville on both occasions. In 1973, Margaret Court and Virginia Wade won the final, and in 1974, Evonne Goolagong and Peggy Michel won.

Kerry had wins in her career over Margaret Court Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Judy Dalton, Wendy Turnbull, Betty Stöve and Francoise Durr. She was described as an athletic player, with a very powerful serve and volley game. She was praised for her good temperament on and off the court.

After her tennis career ended, she became a tennis coach.

Grand Slam finals

Doubles (1 title, 3 runner-ups)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1971French OpenClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr
Flag of France.svg Gail Chanfreau
4–6, 1–6
Win1972Australian OpenGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Patricia Coleman
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karen Krantzcke
6–0, 6–4
Loss1973Australian OpenGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Melville Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margaret Court
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Virginia Wade
4–6, 4–6
Loss1974Australian OpenGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Melville Flag of Australia (converted).svg Evonne Goolagong
Flag of the United States.svg Peggy Michel
5–7, 3–6

Other tournaments

Singles (1 title, 4 runner-ups)

ResultYearTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1969Victoria (Australia)Grass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margaret Court 6–1, 6–4
Win1971Essex Championships (UK)Grass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay 6–2, 6–4.
Loss1972Adelaide (Australia)Grass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Evonne Goolagong 6–1, 6–2
Loss1973Philadelphia (USA)Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margaret Court6–1, 6–0
Loss1973Perth (Australia)Grass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Evonne Goolagong7–5, 6–1

Doubles (7 titles)

ResultYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1969Cincinnati (USA)Clay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Valerie Ziegenfuss Flag of the United States.svg Emilie Burrer
Flag of the United States.svg Pam Richmond
6–3, 9–7
Win1971Newport (Wales)Grass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay Flag of France.svg Gail Chanfreau
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Winnie Shaw
6–3, 8–6
Win1971Cincinnati (USA)Clay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay Flag of France.svg Gail Chanfreau
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Winnie Shaw
6–4, 6–4
Win1972Tucson (USA)Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karen Krantzcke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Judy Tegart Dalton
Flag of France.svg Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–7, 6–3
Win1973Phoenix (USA)Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Melville Flag of the United States.svg Rosemary Casals
Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–4
Win1973Honolulu (USA)Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kerry Melville Flag of Australia (converted).svg Helen Gourlay
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karen Krantzcke
6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Win1974Mission Viejo (USA)Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lesley Hunt Flag of the United States.svg Chris Evert
Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–4