Karen Krantzcke

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Karen Krantzcke (1 February 1946 - 1977) was an Australian tennis player who achieved a World Top Ten singles ranking in 1970.[1] In her short career, she made the quarterfinals or better at each of the four Grand Slam championships. She also assisted Australia to victory in the Federation Cup.

At the age of thirty, Krantczke died from a heart attack while jogging.[2]

Contents

[edit] Early career

Karen Krantzcke was born on 1 February 1946,[3] in Brisbane, Australia.

A right-handed player, she achieved much junior success including winning the Australian junior singles title in 1966.[3]

[edit] Professional career

Krantczke's most successful season came in 1969/70. After reaching the US Open quarterfinals, she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open and then reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.[3] At these tournaments, she had upset such highly-ranked players as Virginia Wade, Francoise Durr, and Judy Tegart Dalton.[4]

During this time, she also combined with Dalton to win the Federation Cup for Australia, remaining undefeated in singles and doubles on the German clay.[5]

After Wimbledon in 1970, 'Kran' took eighteen months off the tour after discovering she was hypoglycemic.[6]

On returning to the tour, she was never able to get back to her best form. She continued to do well in her home Australian title and reached the semifinals for the second time in 1977.[3]

[edit] Death

While playing on the Challenger circuit in the USA in 1977, Krantczke suffered a heart attack while jogging. In response to her untimely death, the WTA instituted the Karen Krantczke Sportsmanship Award which is still awarded annually to a female professional tennis player.

A street in the Canberra suburb of Nicholls, Australian Capital Territory, Krantczke Crescent, is named after the tennis star.[7]

[edit] Team results

Krantczke played twice in Federation Cup for Australia; in 1966 and 1970.[5] She also represented Australia in the Bonne Bell Cup in 1974.[7]

[edit] Grand Slam women's doubles finals

[edit] Wins (1)

Year Championship Partnering Opponents in Final Score/Final
1968 Australian Championships Flag of Australia Kerry Melville Reid Flag of Australia Judy Tegart Dalton
Flag of Australia Lesley Turner Bowrey		 6–4, 3–6, 6–2

[edit] Runner-ups (3)

Year Championship Partnering Opponents in Final Score/Final
1970 Australian Open Flag of Australia Kerry Melville Reid Flag of Australia Margaret Court
Flag of Australia Judy Tegart Dalton		 3–6, 1–6
1972 Australian Open Flag of Australia Patti Coleman Flag of Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley
Flag of Australia Kerry Harris		 0–6, 4–6
1974 Wimbledon Flag of Australia Helen Gourlay Cawley Flag of Australia Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Flag of the United States Peggy Michel		 6–2, 4–6, 3–6

[edit] Grand Slam singles tournament timeline

Tournament 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Australia 2R 2R 3R 3R QF QF SF A 3R QF QF A A SF
France A A A A 3R 2R SF A 3R A A A A A
Wimbledon A A 4R 3R 2R 4R QF A 2R 2R 4R A A A
United States A A A A 3R QF A A 3R 3R 3R A A A

A = did not participate in the tournament.

Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December. Krantzcke participated only in the January edition.

[edit] References

  1. ^ TennisForum - Tennis rankings
  2. ^ Time Magazine - Ready, Set, Sweat - 6 January 1977
  3. ^ a b c d ITF Database
  4. ^ Sporting Heroes - Karen Krantczke
  5. ^ a b Fed Cup profile - Karen Krantczke
  6. ^ TennisForum - Kerry Reid
  7. ^ a b ACT Legislation 2000