Meredith McGrath

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Meredith McGrath
Country (sports)Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Born (1971-04-28) April 28, 1971 (age 54)
Midland, Michigan
PlaysRight-handed
Prize money$1,448,132
Singles
Career record130–98
Career titles3
Highest rankingNo. 18 (July 22, 1996)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open 2R (1994)
French Open 2R (1995)
Wimbledon SF (1996)
US Open 2R (1993, 1994)
Doubles
Career record255–84
Career titles25
Highest rankingNo. 5 (October 10, 1994)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open F (1994)
French Open SF (1996)
Wimbledon F (1996)
US Open QF (1994)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open QF (1996)
French Open SF (1994)
Wimbledon QF (1994)
US Open W (1995)

Meredith McGrath (born April 28, 1971) is a former professional tennis player.

Contents

She was born in Midland, Michigan, and made her debut on the WTA Tour in 1988. In her eight-year professional career, Meredith achieved career-high world rankings of No. 18 in singles and No. 4 in doubles. She notched victories over such players as Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, Jana Novotna, Gigi Fernandez and Mary Jo Fernandez. The pinnacle of her career came in reaching the singles semifinals and doubles finals at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships (leading 7–5, 5–2 in the doubles final before losing to Suková/Hingis). In the singles, she defeated Mana Endo, Amanda Coetzer, Nancy Feber, Katarína Studeníková and Mary Joe Fernandez before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. An injury two weeks prior to the 1996 Wimbledon Championships eventually ended her career. Meredith won the 1995 US Open Mixed-Doubles Championship (she was runner-up in 1989) and was the runner-up in the 1994 Australian Open Doubles Championship. Meredith won three WTA singles titles, Oklahoma City and Eastbourne in 1994 and Birmingham in 1996, and 25 doubles titles. Meredith was recognized by Tennis Magazine as the WTA Comeback Player of the Year as she overcame near career-ending injuries to having her most successful competitive season in 1996. In 1994, she was awarded the WTA Tour Comeback Player of the Year.

Meredith played her collegiate tennis at Stanford University where she, during her only collegiate season, earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles after having achieved year-end rankings of No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles (undefeated). She had maintained No. 1 rankings in both singles and doubles during her freshman year until a loss at the NCAA Championships. Meredith turned professional after her freshman year, but returned to Stanford to earn her degree in 2000 after injuries forced her early retirement. In 1990, Meredith was awarded the Block S Award for the Most Outstanding Freshman Athlete at Stanford and with her doubles partner, Teri Whitlinger, was named the Volvo Tennis/Tennis Magazine Doubles Team of the Year.

Meredith McGrath is also a 2012 inductee into the prestigious Stanford Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the USTA Midwest Hall of Fame and the USTA NorCal Hall of Fame.

As the No. 1 ranked junior player in the world, McGrath won a total of 19 national and international junior titles. She captured the US Open junior doubles title and Wimbledon junior doubles title with Jennifer Capriati in 1989, and won the US Open junior doubles title with Kimberly Po in 1987 and 1988. Meredith was the runner-up in the 1988 Wimbledon junior singles championship. A three-time national All-American in high school, Meredith won three Michigan High School Division A State Championships. She also received six USTA National Championship Sportsmanship Awards.

WTA career finals

Singles: 3 (3 titles)

Legend
Grand Slam0
Tier I0
Tier II1
Tier III2
Tier IV & V0
ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1.Feb 1994 Oklahoma City, U.S.Hard Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brenda Schultz 7–6(6), 7–6(4)
Win2.Jun 1994 Eastbourne, EnglandGrass Flag of the United States.svg Linda Harvey-Wild 6–2, 6–4
Win3.Jun 1996 Birmingham, EnglandGrass Flag of France.svg Nathalie Tauziat 2–6, 6–4, 6–4

Doubles: 38 (25 titles, 13 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam0
Tier I2
Tier II11
Tier III6
Tier IV & V6
Titles by surface
Hard13
Clay2
Grass0
Carpet10
ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.Jun 1989Birmingham, EnglandGrass Flag of the United States.svg Pam Shriver Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Larisa Savchenko
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Natalia Zvereva
5–7, 7–5, 0–6
Win2.Nov 1989 Nashville, U.S.Hard Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Natalia Medvedeva
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Leila Meskhi
1–6, 7–6, 7–6
Win3.Feb 1990 Wichita, U.S.Hard (i) Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf Flag of the United States.svg Mary-Lou Daniels
Flag of the United States.svg Wendy Prausa
6–0, 6–2
Win4.Aug 1990 Albuquerque, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith Flag of the United States.svg Mareen Louie-Harper
Flag of the United States.svg Wendy Prausa
7–6, 6–4
Loss5.Sep 1990 Orlando, U.S.Carpet (i) Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Larisa Savchenko
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Natalia Zvereva
4–6, 1–6
Win6.Nov 1990 Oakland, U.S.Carpet (i) Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Rosalyn Fairbank-Nideffer
Flag of the United States.svg Robin White
2–6, 6–0, 6–4
Win7.Nov 1990Oakland, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jill Hetherington
6–1, 6–1
Win8.Feb 1991Oklahoma City, U.S.Hard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jill Hetherington
6–1, 6–1
Loss9.Mar 1991 Boca Raton, U.S.Hard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Samantha Smith Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Larisa Savchenko-Neiland
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Natalia Zvereva
4–6, 6–7
Loss10.Apr 1993 Pattaya City, ThailandHard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Cammy Macgregor
Flag of France.svg Catherine Suire
3–6, 6–7
Win11.Apr 1993 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaHard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Nicole Arendt
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kristine Radford
6–4, 7–6
Win12.Oct 1993Montpellier, FranceCarpet (i) Flag of Germany.svg Claudia Porwik Flag of Slovakia.svg Janette Husárová
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dominique Monami
3–6, 6–2, 7–6
Win13.Nov 1993Oakland, U.S.Carpet (i) Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Amanda Coetzer
Flag of Argentina.svg Inés Gorrochategui
6–2, 6–0
Win14.Jan 1994 Sydney, AustraliaHard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jana Novotná
Flag of Spain.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
6–2, 6–3
Loss15.Jan 1994 Australian Open Hard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Gigi Fernández
Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991-1995).svg Natalia Zvereva
3–6, 6–4, 4–6
Win16.Feb 1994Oklahoma City, U.S.Hard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf
7–6, 6–2
Loss17.Mar 1994 Key Biscayne, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Gigi Fernández
Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991-1995).svg Natalia Zvereva
3–6, 1–6
Win18.Apr 1994Pattaya City, ThailandHard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of Indonesia.svg Yayuk Basuki
Flag of Japan.svg Nana Miyagi
7–6, 3–6, 6–3
Win19.Apr 1994 Singapore Hard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Nicole Arendt
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kristine Radford
6–4, 6–1
Win20.Aug 1994 Rogers Cup, CanadaHard Flag of Spain.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Flag of the United States.svg Pam Shriver
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Liz Smylie
2–6, 6–2, 6–4
Win21.Aug 1994 Schenectady, U.S.Hard Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Pam Shriver
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Liz Smylie
6–2, 6–2
Win22.Oct 1994 Leipzig, GermanyCarpet (i) Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf
Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko
6–4, 6–4
Loss23.Oct 1994 Zurich, SwitzerlandCarpet (i) Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf
Flag of the United States.svg Martina Navratilova
6–7, 1–6
Win24.Feb 1995 Paris, FranceHard (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rennae Stubbs
6–4, 6–1
Win25.Feb 1995 Generali Ladies Linz, AustriaCarpet (i) Flag of France.svg Nathalie Tauziat Flag of Croatia.svg Iva Majoli
Flag of Austria.svg Petra Schwarz
6–1, 6–2
Win26.May 1995Edinburgh, ScotlandClay Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rennae Stubbs
6–2, 7–6
Win27. Sep 1995 Moscow, RussiaCarpet (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of Russia.svg Anna Kournikova
Flag of Poland.svg Aleksandra Olsza
6–1, 6–1
Win28.Oct 1995Leipzig, GermanyCarpet (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brenda Schultz-McCarthy
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Caroline Vis
6–4, 6–4
Loss29.Oct 1995 Filderstadt, GermanyHard (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Gigi Fernández
Flag of Belarus (1995-2012).svg Natalia Zvereva
7–5, 1–6, 4–6
Win30.Oct 1995 Brighton, EnglandCarpet (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Lori McNeil
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
7–5, 6–1
Loss31.Nov 1995 Philadelphia, U.S.Carpet (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Lori McNeil
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
6–4, 3–6, 4–6
Win32.Feb 1996Essen, GermanyCarpet (i) Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Lori McNeil
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
6–4, 3–6, 4–6
Win33.Mar 1996Generali Ladies Linz, AustriaCarpet (i) Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rennae Stubbs
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
6–4, 6–4
Loss34.Mar 1996Key Biscayne, U.S.Hard Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jana Novotná
Flag of Spain.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
4–6, 4–6
Loss35.Apr 1996 Amelia Island, U.S.Clay Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of the United States.svg Chanda Rubin
Flag of Spain.svg Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
4–6, 4–6
Win36.May 1996 Berlin, GermanyClay Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Martina Hingis
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
6–1, 5–7, 7–6
Loss37.Jul 1996 Wimbledon, EnglandGrass Flag of Latvia.svg Larisa Savchenko Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Martina Hingis
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
7–5, 5–7, 1–6
Loss38.Jan 1998 Sydney, AustraliaHard Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Martina Hingis
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Helena Suková
1–6, 2–6

Mixed doubles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.Sep 1989 US Open Hard Flag of the United States.svg Rick Leach Flag of the United States.svg Shelby Cannon
Flag of the United States.svg Robin White
6–3, 2–6, 5–7
Win2.Sept 1995US OpenHard Flag of the United States.svg Matt Lucena Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Cyril Suk
Flag of the United States.svg Gigi Fernández
6–4, 6–4

ITF finals

Singles (1–3)

$75,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1.18 July 1988Fayetteville, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Tammy Whittington 6–0, 6–3
Loss2.6 February 1989 Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Shaun Stafford 3–6, 3–6
Loss3.28 January 1991Midland, United StatesHard Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Helen Kelesi 2–6, 2–6
Loss4.6 February 1994Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the Netherlands.svg Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 2–6, 0–1 ret.

Doubles (2–3)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.6 February 1989 Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Shaun Stafford Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Il-soon
Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Jeong-myung
6–2, 2–6, 4–6
Loss2.28 January 1991Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith Flag of the United States.svg Katrina Adams
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Helen Kelesi
5–7, 5–7
Win3.27 January 1992Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the Netherlands.svg Manon Bollegraf Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Helen Kelesi
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Caroline Vis
6–3, 6–1
Win4.1 February 1993Midland, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Patty Fendick Flag of the United States.svg Jean Ceniza
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Caroline Delisle
7–6(5), 6–2
Loss5.27 October 1997Austin, United StatesHard Flag of the United States.svg Debbie Graham Flag of South Korea.svg Park Sung-hee
Flag of Japan.svg Miho Saeki
4–6, 7–5, 2–6

Grand Slam 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 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 SRW–L
Australian Open AAAAAA F 3R SF A 1R 0 / 411–4
French Open AAA QF A 1R 3R 3R SF AA0 / 511–5
Wimbledon A 1R 2R AA 2R 3R SF F AA0 / 613–6
US Open 1R 2R 1R AA 3R QF 3R AAA0 / 68–6
Win–loss0–11–21–23–10–03–312–410–413–30–00–10 / 2143–21