Tennis
prodigy Tracy Austin stormed into women's tennis in 1977
and set a number of amazing records as the youngest player
in the sport.
In 1977, she was the youngest winner of a pro tournament
when she won her first title at Avon Futures of Portland,
Oregon, at the age of 14 years, 28 days. That same year,
as an unseeded amateur, she reached the quarterfinals of
the U.S. Open.
In 1979, she won her first major title at the Italian Open
where she defeated Chris Evert in the semifinals and severed
Chris 125-match clay court winning streak. She then defeated
Chris again that year to become the youngest player to win
the U.S. Open at the age of 16 years and nine months.
In 1980, she ranked No. 1 in the world and set a new record
as the youngest NO. 1 ranked player in tennis history. From
1978 to 1983, she was ranked in the Top Ten, and from 1980-91
she was No. 2.
In 1980, she reached $1 million in career prize money,
becoming the youngest player at the time, male or female,
at the age of 17 years, 8 months to reach that mark. That
same year, she and her brother, John, became the only brother/sister
team to win Wimbledon mixed doubles in history.
In 1981, she won her second U.S. Open title in a thrilling
tiebreak finish over Martina Navratilova. Tracy defeated
Chris and Martina back-to-back five times, and she led the
career head-to-head against Chris 9-8.
In 1983, her back injuries limited her play, and then in1989
she was involved in a near-fatal car accident that resulted
in a broken leg that eventually ended her playing career.
She has been a color commentator for USA Network, Channel 7 Australia, BBC/Wimbledon, Tennis Channel, and has covered all of the Grand Slam events and the Olympics in Barcelona. She also is a tennis coach for the USTA Development Program in Carson, CA. Tracy is married with 3 sons, Dylan, Brandon, and Sean.
Tracy has authored several instructional columns for Tennis
Magazine and also written a book about her career, "Beyond
Center Court". She has contributed much time to charitable
organizations, including her own Pro-Celebrity Tournament
to benefit the South Bay Children's Health-Center started
in 1978.
Career Highlights
» Won 32 singles titles
» Two-time U.S. Open Champion (1979 & 1980)
» Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion 1980
» Highest singles ranking: No. 1 (April 1980; July-November
1980) » Highest career prize money earned $2 million
» Age 29 years and 7 months, was the youngest to be Inducted
into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in1992
