Gigi Fernández
Gigi Fernández
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| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| Residence | Lake Mary, Florida, USA |
| Born | February 22, 1964 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Turned pro | November 1983 |
| Retired | November 1997 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Career prize money | US$4,681,906 |
| Int. Tennis HOF | 2010 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 270–232 |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | 17 (October 6, 1991) |
| Grand Slam results | |
| Australian Open | 4R (1990, 1993) |
| French Open | 2R (1986–87, 1991) |
| Wimbledon | SF (1994) |
| US Open | QF (1991, 1994) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 664–184 |
| Career titles | 69 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (March 4, 1991) |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1993, 1994) |
| French Open | W (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997) |
| Wimbledon | W (1992, 1993, 1994, 1997) |
| US Open | W (1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996) |
| Other Doubles tournaments | |
| Olympic Games |  Gold medal (1992, 1996) |
| Last updated on: September 18, 2009. | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's tennis | ||
| Competitor for the USA | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | Women's doubles |
| Gold | 1996 Atlanta | Women's doubles |
Competitor for  Puerto Rico |
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| Pan American Games | ||
| Silver | 1983 Caracas | Singles |
| Silver | 1983 Caracas | Doubles |
Beatriz "Gigi" Fernández (born February 22, 1964, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a former professional tennis player, the first female athlete from her native Puerto Rico to turn professional, the first Puerto Rican woman to ever win an Olympic gold medal and the first to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Fernandez won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles and two Olympic gold medals representing the United States of America, and reached the World No. 1 ranking in women's doubles. She reached a career high singles ranking of 17 in 1991. Since retiring from the professional tour in 1997 at the age of 33, Fernández has been a tennis coach and entrepreneur.
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Career
Fernandez was recognized primarily as a doubles specialist during her professional career. Fernández won a non-calendar year doubles Grand Slam with 17 Grand Slam women's doubles title – six French Open, five US Open, four Wimbledon, and two Australian Open winning at least one Grand Slam title every year from 1988–1997, except 1989, and for three straight years winning three of the four Grand Slam doubles titles in the same year (1992–1994). She won 14 of her 17 Grand Slam titles partnering Natasha Zvereva; their partnership is the second most successful doubles pair in Grand Slam history after Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver in the Open era.
In mixed doubles, Fernández was the runner-up in three of the four Grand Slam mixed doubles events in 1995 (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) partnering Cyril Suk. Fernández captured 68 career titles in women's doubles and reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking in 1991 and attained the No. 1 ranking again in 1993, 1994 and 1995. She won a total of 69 doubles titles during her career.
Fernández represented the United States at the Olympic Games in 1992 (Barcelona) and 1996 (Atlanta). She teamed with Mary Joe Fernandez (no relation) to win the women's doubles gold medal on both occasions. The first gold medal was won against the home team of Conchita Martínez and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario with the King and Queen of Spain in the audience. The two medals are front and center on Fernández's desk, along with a car license plate that reads "DBL GLD".
Fernández represented Puerto Rico when San Juan played host to the Pan Am Games in 1979. Just 15, Fernández won a bronze medal. In 1982 at the Central American-Caribbean Games in Cuba, she teamed up with Marilda Juliá to win doubles gold and won a silver medal in the singles as well. She represented Puerto Rico at the 1984 Olympics.
Fernández was also on the United States team that won the Fed Cup in 1990.
In singles, Fernández reached as high as World No. 17. She also won two top-level titles and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1994 (ranked 99 becoming the lowest-ranked grand Slam singles semi-finalist at Wimbledon) and the quarterfinals at the US Open in 1991 and 1994.
Fernández retired from the professional tour in 1997. By far the most successful tennis player in the history of Puerto Rico, Fernández was named Puerto Rico's "Female Athlete of the Century" in 1999.
On July 12, 2010, Fernandez was inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside Zvereva.
Personal life
Fernández was born in San Juan. Her father Tuto was a well-known doctor in Puerto Rico. Her cousin José Ferrer was a famous Puerto Rican actor and director. Fernández started playing tennis when she was seven. When she turned professional in 1983, she become Puerto Rico's first-ever female professional athlete. Prior to turning professional, she played tennis for one season at Clemson University, in 1982–83, where she was a singles and doubles All-American and reached the National Collegiate Athletics Association singles final.
Since retiring from the tour, Fernández has worked as a tennis coach. She has coached players including the former World No. 1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs, Lisa Raymond, and Samantha Stosur. She has also coached for the Puerto Rican national team and the University of South Florida. Fernández also remains active in corporate hospitality events and participates in fundraisers throughout the country.
Fernández earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida in 2003. She graduated from Rollins College's Crummer School of Business where she earned a Master of Business Administration. She is the mother of twins, Karson Xavier and Madison Jane, and the partner of retired professional golfer Jane Geddes. She presently resides in Lake Mary, Florida with Geddes and their children.
Most recently, Fernandez started a company called Baby Goes Pro which produced the first in a DVD series that introduces young children to sports, encouraging them to lead active lifestyles, build character, and begin a lifelong love of sports.
Grand Slam finals (26)
Women's doubles wins (17)
| Year | Championship | Partner | Opponents in Final | Score in Final |
| 1988 | US Open (1) | Robin White |
Patty Fendick Jill Hetherington |
6–4, 6–1 |
| 1990 | US Open (2) | Martina Navratilova |
 Jana Novotná Helena Suková |
6–2, 6–4 |
| 1991 | French Open (1) | Jana Novotná |
 Larisa Savchenko Neiland Natasha Zvereva |
6–4, 6–0 |
| 1992 | French Open (2) | Natasha Zvereva |
 Conchita Martínez Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
6–3, 6–2 |
| 1992 | Wimbledon (1) | Natasha Zvereva |
Larisa Savchenko Neiland Jana Novotná |
6–4, 6–1 |
| 1992 | US Open (3) | Natasha Zvereva |
Larisa Savchenko Neiland Jana Novotná |
7–6(4), 6–1 |
| 1993 | Australian Open (1) | Natasha Zvereva |
Pam Shriver Elizabeth Smylie |
6–4, 6–3 |
| 1993 | French Open (3) | Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Larisa Savchenko Neiland |
6–3, 7–5 |
| 1993 | Wimbledon (2) | Natasha Zvereva |
Larisa Savchenko Neiland Jana Novotná |
6–4, 6–7(9), 6–4 |
| 1994 | Australian Open (2) | Natasha Zvereva |
Patty Fendick Meredith McGrath |
6–3, 4–6, 6–4 |
| 1994 | French Open (4) | Natasha Zvereva |
Lindsay Davenport Lisa Raymond |
6–2, 6–2 |
| 1994 | Wimbledon (3) | Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
6–4, 6–1 |
| 1995 | French Open (5) |  Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
6–7(6), 6–4, 7–5 |
| 1995 | US Open (4) | Natasha Zvereva |
 Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Rennae Stubbs |
7–5, 6–3 |
| 1996 | US Open (5) | Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
1–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
| 1997 | French Open (6) | Natasha Zvereva |
Mary Joe Fernandez Lisa Raymond |
6–2, 6–3 |
| 1997 | Wimbledon (4) | Natasha Zvereva |
Nicole Arendt Manon Bollegraf |
7–6(4), 6–4 |
Women's doubles runner-ups (6)
| Year | Championship | Partner | Opponents in Final | Score in Final |
| 1991 | Australian Open (1) | Jana Novotná |
Patty Fendick Mary Joe Fernandez |
7–6(4), 6–1 |
| 1991 | Wimbledon (1) | Jana Novotná |
Larisa Savchenko Neiland Natasha Zvereva |
6–4, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 1995 | Australian Open (2) | Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
6–3, 6–7(3), 6–4 |
| 1995 | Wimbledon (2) | Natasha Zvereva |
Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
5–7, 7–5, 6–4 |
| 1996 | French Open | Natasha Zvereva |
Lindsay Davenport Mary Joe Fernandez |
6–2, 6–1 |
| 1997 | US Open | Natasha Zvereva |
Lindsay Davenport Jana Novotná |
6–3, 6–4 |
Mixed doubles runner-ups (3)
| Year | Championship | Partner | Opponents in Final | Score in Final |
| 1995 | Australian Open | Cyril Suk |
Natasha Zvereva Rick Leach |
7–6(4), 6–7(3), 6–4 |
| 1995 | Wimbledon | Cyril Suk |
Martina Navratilova Jonathan Stark |
6–4, 6–4 |
| 1995 | US Open | Cyril Suk |
Meredith McGrath Matt Lucena |
6–4, 6–4 |
WTA Tour titles (71)
Singles (2)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score |
| 1. | October 26, 1986 | Singapore | VS | Hard (i) |  Mercedes Paz |
6–4, 2–6, 6–4 |
| 2. | April 18, 1991 | Albuquerque, US | IV | Hard |  Julie Halard-Decugis |
6–0, 6–2 |
Doubles (69)
- 1985: Washington (with Martina Navratilova), Miami (with Navratilova), Toronto (with Navratilova), Fort Lauderdale (with Robin White)
- 1987: U.S. Indoor Championships (with Lori McNeil), Newport (with McNeil), Mahwah (with McNeil)
- 1988: Tokyo Outdoor (with Robin White), US Open (with Robin White)
- 1989: Newport (with McNeil), Toronto (with Robin White), Tokyo Doubles Championships (with Robin White), Filderstadt (with Robin White)
- 1990: Tokyo/Pan Pacific (with Elizabeth Smylie), Hamburg (with Navratilova), Los Angeles (with Jana Novotná), US Open (with Navratilova), New England (with Helena Suková)
- 1991: Brisbane (with Novotná), Chicago (with Novotna), Light n' Lively Doubles (with Suková), French Open (with Novotna), Oakland (with Patty Fendick), Indianapolis (with Fendick)
- 1992: Houston (with Fendick), French Open (with Natasha Zvereva), Wimbledon (with Zvereva), Barcelona Olympics (with Mary Joe Fernandez), US Open (with Zvereva), Oakland (with Zvereva), Philadelphia (with Zvereva)
- 1993: Australian Open (w/Zvereva), Delray Beach (w/Zvereva), Light n' Lively Doubles (w/Zvereva), Hilton Head (w/Zvereva), Berlin (with Zvereva), French Open (with Zvereva), Eastbourne (with Zvereva), Wimbledon (with Zvereva), San Diego (with Suková), Leipzig (with Zvereva), Filderstadt (with Zvereva), Virginia Slims Championships (with Zvereva)
- 1994: Australian Open (with Zvereva), Chicago (with Zvereva), Miami (with Zvereva), Italian Open (with Zvereva), Berlin (with Zvereva), French Open (with Zvereva), Eastbourne (with Zvereva), Wimbledon (with Zvereva), Filderstadt (with Zvereva), Philadelphia (with Zvereva), Virginia Slims Championships (with Zvereva)
- 1995: Tokyo/Pan Pacific (with Zvereva), Hamburg (with Martina Hingis), Rome (with Zvereva), French Open (with Zvereva), San Diego (with Zvereva), Los Angeles (with Zvereva), US Open (with Zvereva), Filderstadt (with Zvereva)
- 1996: Tokyo/Pan Pacific (with Zvereva), Atlanta Olympics (with Mary Joe Fernandez), San Diego (with Conchita Martínez), US Open (with Zvereva)
- 1997: Sydney (with Arantxa Sánchez Vicario), French Open (with Zvereva), Wimbledon (with Zvereva)
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- ^ according to Hispanic Magazine, 1988
- ^ "Gigi Fernández: "We Have A Mixed Identity"". Puerto Rico Herald. http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2002/vol6n22/PRSportsBeat0622-en.html. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ "WTA , Players , Stats , Gigi Fernandez". Sonyericssonwtatour.com. http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/page/Player/Stats/0,,12781~2347,00.html. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ "2008 Inductee – Gigi Fernandez". Web.wm.edu. http://web.wm.edu/tenniscenter/2008inductees/fernandez/fernandez.html. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ a b "Gigi Fernandez , International Tennis Hall of Fame". Tennisfame.com. February 22, 1964. http://www.tennisfame.com/gigi-fernandez. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ a b "Fernandez remembered for her trademark zeal on the court – ESPN". ESPN. September 30, 2008. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/hispanicheritage2008/news/story?id=3616855. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ "WTA , Players , Info , Gigi Fernandez". Sonyericssonwtatour.com. http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/player/gigi-fernandez_2257889_2347. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ a b according to WTA players guide
- ^ Crouse, Karen. "A Dream Deferred, Almost Too Long." The New York Times August 29, 2010.
See also
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