Zina Garrison

Zina Garrison
Country  United States
Residence Houston, Texas, U.S.
Date of birth November 16, 1963 (1963-11-16) (age 47)
Place of birth Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 4 12 in)
Weight 61.2 kg (135 lb; 9.64 st)
Turned pro 1982
Retired 1997
Plays Right-handed
Career prize money $4,590,816
Singles
Career record 587–270
Career titles 14
Highest ranking No. 4 (November 20, 1989)
Grand Slam results
Australian Open SF (1983)
French Open QF (1982)
Wimbledon F (1990)
US Open SF (1988, 1989)
Doubles
Career record 436–231
Career titles 20
Highest ranking No. 5 (May 23, 1988)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open F (1987, 1992)
French Open QF (1988, 1989, 1991, 1995)
Wimbledon SF (1988, 1990, 1991, 1993)
US Open SF (1985, 1991)
Mixed Doubles
Career titles 3
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
Australian Open W (1987)
Wimbledon W (1988, 1990)
Last updated on: July 12, 2008.
Olympic medal record
Women's tennis
Competitor for  United States
Gold 1988 Seoul Doubles
Bronze 1988 Seoul Singles

Zina Lynna Garrison (born November 16, 1963 in Houston, Texas) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.

Contents

Career

An African-American and the youngest of seven children, Garrison started playing tennis at the age of 10 and entered her first tournament at the age of 12. Her success as a junior player quickly made the tennis world take notice. At the age of 14 she won the national girls' 18s title. And then in 1981, she won both the Wimbledon and US Open junior titles and was ranked the World No. 1 junior player. Garrison graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1982.[1]

Garrison began suffering from the eating disorder bulimia when she was 19, following the death of her mother[1]. "I had never been comfortable with my looks and felt I had lost the only person who loved me unconditionally", Garrison told the British Observer Sport Monthly in 2006. "The pressure of being labeled 'the next Althea Gibson' only made things worse. I felt I was never going to be allowed to grow into just becoming me."

Garrison turned professional in 1982, and skipped her graduation at Ross Sterling High School to compete in the French Open, her first tournament as a professional, where she reached the quarterfinals before being knocked-out by Martina Navrátilová.

Despite battling bulimia during her first few years on the tour, Garrison enjoyed notable success on-court. She reached the Australian Open semifinals in her first full year on the tour - 1983 - and finished the year ranked World No. 10. She won her first top-level singles titles in 1984 at the European Indoor Championships in Zürich. She was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 1985, and in 1986, she won her first tour doubles at the Canadian Open (partnering Gabriela Sabatini).

At the Australian Open in 1987, Garrison won the mixed doubles (partnering Sherwood Stewart) and finished runner-up in the women's doubles (partnering Lori McNeil). A year later, Garrison and Stewart captured the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon.

At the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Garrison teamed with Pam Shriver to win the women's doubles gold medal for the United States, defeating Jana Novotná and Helena Suková of Czechoslovakia in the final. And Garrison defeated Shriver in the quarterfinals of the singles event, where she won a bronze medal.

In 1989, Garrison defeated Chris Evert 7–6, 6–2 in the quarterfinals of the US Open in what proved to be the final Grand Slam singles match of Evert's career. Garrison subsequently lost to Navrátilová in the semifinals. She finished 1989 ranked a career-high World No. 4 in singles.

The highlight of Garrison's career came in 1990 at Wimbledon. She defeated French Open champion Monica Seles in the quarterfinals 3–6, 6–3, 9–7 and the defending Wimbledon champion and World No. 1 Steffi Graf in the semifinals 6–3, 3–6, 6–4 to reach her first (and only) Grand Slam singles final. There, she lost to Navrátilová 6–4, 6–1 who won her record ninth women's singles title at Wimbledon. However, Garrison claimed her third Grand Slam mixed doubles title at Wimbledon that year (partnering Rick Leach).

In 1992, Garrison finished runner-up in the Australian Open women's doubles (partnering Mary Joe Fernandez).

Garrison retired from the professional tour in 1996. During her career, she won 14 top-level singles titles and 20 doubles titles.

Personal life and post-tennis career

Garrison married Willard Jackson in September 1989; however' the marriage ended in divorce in 1997.

Since retiring from the tour, Garrison has worked as a television commentator and maintained active roles in the community and in tennis. She founded the Zina Garrison Foundation for the Homeless in 1988, and the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program, which supports inner-city tennis in Houston, in 1992. She has also served as a member of the United States President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Garrison has maintained a presence on the professional tennis scene, and was the captain for the U.S. Federation Cup team before relinquishing the role to Mary Joe Fernandez in 2008. This role involves coaching the team and giving on-court advice. She also led the U.S. women's team at the 2008 Beijing Games tennis event where team members Venus and Serena Williams won a doubles gold medal.[2]

Grand Slam finals

Singles 1 (0 titles, 1 runner-up)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Opponent in the final Score in the final
Runner-up 1990 Wimbledon Grass United States Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1

Doubles: 2 (0 titles, 2 runner-ups)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents in the final Score in the final
Runner-up 1987 Australian Open Grass United States Lori McNeil United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–1, 6–0
Runner-up 1992 Australian Open Hard United States Mary Joe Fernández Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
6–4, 7–6(3)

Mixed Doubles: 6 (3 titles, 3 runner-ups)

Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents in the final Score in the final
Winner 1987 Australian Open Grass United States Sherwood Stewart United Kingdom Anne Hobbs
United Kingdom Andrew Castle
3–6, 7–6(5), 6–3
Winner 1988 Wimbledon Grass United States Sherwood Stewart United States Gretchen Magers
United States Kelly Jones
6–1, 7–6(3)
Runner-up 1989 Australian Open Hard United States Sherwood Stewart Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
United States Jim Pugh
6–3, 6–4
Runner-up 1990 Australian Open Hard United States Jim Pugh Soviet Union Natasha Zvereva
United Kingdom Andrew Castle
4–6, 6–2, 6–3
Winner 1990 Wimbledon (2) Grass United States Rick Leach Australia Elizabeth Sayers Smylie
Australia John Fitzgerald
7–5, 6–2
Runner-up 1993 Australian Open Hard United States Rick Leach Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Australia Todd Woodbridge
7–5, 6–4

Titles (34)

Singles (14)

Legend
Grand Slams (0)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I (0)
Tier II (0)
Tier III (5)
Tier IV & V (3)
VS (6)
Titles by Surface
Hard (3)
Clay (1)
Grass (4)
Carpet (6)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score in the final
1. November 4, 1984 Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (I) West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 6–1, 0–6, 6–2
2. April 21, 1985 Amelia Island, USA Clay United States Chris Evert 6–4, 6–3
3. November 3, 1985 Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (I) Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 6–3
4. November 2, 1986 Indianapolis, USA (VS of Indianapolis) Hard (I) United States Melissa Gurney 6–3, 6–3
5. January 11, 1987 Sydney, Australia Grass United States Pam Shriver 6–2, 6–4
6. February 15, 1987 San Francisco, USA Carpet (I) West Germany Sylvia Hanika 7–5, 4–6, 6–3
7. February 26, 1989 Oakland, USA Carpet (I) Soviet Union Larisa Neiland 6–1, 6–1
8. July 23, 1989 Newport, USA Grass United States Pam Shriver 6–0, 6–1
9. November 12, 1989 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) Soviet Union Larisa Neiland 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
10. June 17, 1990 Birmingham, UK Grass United States Linda Harvey Wild 6–4, 6–3
11. February 23, 1992 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) United States Lori McNeil 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(10)
12. February 21, 1993 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) United States Patty Fendick 6–2, 6–2
13. October 24, 1993 Budapest, Hungary Carpet (I) Belgium Sabine Appelmans 7–5, 6–2
14. June 18, 1995 Birmingham, UK Grass United States Lori McNeil 6–3, 6–3

Doubles (20)

Legend (Doubles)
Grand Slam Title (0)
WTA Championships (0)
Olympic Gold (1)
Tier I (2)
Tier II (6)
Tier III (6)
Tier IV & V (0)
VS (5)
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in Final Score in Final
1. August 10, 1986 Montreal, Canada Hard Argentina Gabriela Sabatini United States Pam Shriver
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
7–6(2), 5–7, 6–4
2. November 2, 1986 Indianapolis, USA Hard (I) United States Lori McNeil United States Candy Reynolds
United States Anne Smith
4–5 retired
3. August 23, 1987 Toronto, Canada Hard United States Lori McNeil West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
6–1, 6–2
4. October 7, 1987 New Orleans, USA Carpet (I) United States Lori McNeil United States Peanut Louie Harper
United States Heather Ludloff
6–3, 6–4
5. March 13, 1988 Boca Raton, USA Hard United States Katrina Adams West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
4–6, 5–7, 6–4
6. April 11, 1988 Amelia Island, USA Clay West Germany Eva Pfaff United States Katrina Adams
United States Penny Barg Mager
4–6, 6–2, 7–6(5)
7. April 24, 1988 Houston, USA Clay United States Katrina Adams United States Lori McNeil
United States Martina Navratilova
6–7(4), 6–2, 6–4
8. October 2, 1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul Hard United States Pam Shriver Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
4–6, 6–2, 10–8
9. November 27, 1988 Tokyo, Japan (World Doubles) Carpet (I) United States Katrina Adams United States Gigi Fernández
United States Robin White
7–5, 7–5
10. February 5, 1989 Tokyo, Japan (Pan Pacific) Carpet (I) United States Katrina Adams United States Mary Joe Fernandez
West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
6–3, 6–3, 7–6(5)
11. April 30, 1989 Houston, USA Clay United States Katrina Adams United States Gigi Fernández
United States Lori McNeil
6–3, 6–4
12. June 25, 1989 Eastbourne, UK Grass United States Katrina Adams Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
6–3 retired
13. February 25, 1990 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navrátilová United States Ann Henricksson
South Africa Dinky Van Rensburg
6–0, 6–3
14. August 12, 1990 San Diego, USA Hard United States Patty Fendick United States Elise Burgin
South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank Nideffer
6–4, 7–6(5)
15. October 21, 1990 Filderstadt, Germany Carpet (I) United States Mary Joe Fernandez Argentina Mercedes Paz
Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
7–5, 6–3
16. March 24, 1991 Key Biscayne, USA Hard United States Mary Joe Fernandez United States Gigi Fernández
Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
7–5, 6–2
17. February 14, 1993 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) United States Katrina Adams United States Amy Frazier
United States Kimberly Po
7–6(3), 6–3
18. February 21, 1993 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) United States Patty Fendick United States Katrina Adams
Netherlands Manon Bollegraf
6–3, 6–2
19. October 10, 1993 Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova United States Gigi Fernández
Belarus Natasha Zvereva
6–3, 5–7, 6–3
20. June 12, 1994 Birmingham, UK Grass Latvia Larisa Neiland Australia Catherine Barclay
Australia Kerry-Anne Guse
6–4, 6–4

Singles runner-ups (22)

Legend
Grand Slams (1)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I (0)
Tier II (8)
Tier III (4)
Tier IV & V (2)
VS (7)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score in the final
1. August 7, 1983 Indianapolis, USA (US Clay Courts) Clay Hungary Andrea Temesvári 6–2, 6–2
2. January 2, 1984 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 6–1
3. September 30, 1984 New Orleans, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–3
4. January 20, 1985 Denver, USA Carpet (I) United States Peanut Louie Harper 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
5. July 27, 1985 Indianapolis, USA (US Clay Courts) Clay Hungary Andrea Temesvári 7–6(0), 6–3
6. September 21, 1986 Tampa, USA Hard United States Lori McNeil 2–6, 7–5, 6–2
7. August 23, 1987 Toronto, Canada Hard United States Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–1
8. October 30, 1988 Indianapolis, USA (VS of Indianapolis) Hard (I) Bulgaria Katerina Maleeva 6–3, 2–6, 6–2
9. February 19, 1989 Washington, DS, USA Carpet (I) West Germany Steffi Graf 6–1, 7–5
10. June 18, 1989 Birmingham, UK Grass United States Martina Navratilova 7–6(5), 6–3
11. August 6, 1989 San Diego, USA Hard West Germany Steffi Graf 6–4, 7–5
12. November 5, 1989 Worcester, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–3
13. February 25, 1990 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–0
14. July 8, 1990 Wimbledon, London, UK Grass United States Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1
15. October 23, 1990 San Juan, Puerto Rico Hard United States Jennifer Capriati 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
16. February 17, 1991 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–2
17. October 27, 1991 Brighton, UK Carpet (I) Germany Steffi Graf 5–7, 6–4, 6–1
18. April 19, 1992 Houston, USA Clay Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Monica Seles 6–1, 6–1
19. June 13, 1993 Birmingham, UK Grass United States Lori McNeil 6–4, 2–6, 6–3
20. August 1, 1993 Stratton Mountain, USA Hard Spain Conchita Martínez 6–3, 6–2
21. November 7, 1993 Oakland, USA Carpet (I) United States Martina Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(1)
22. June 12, 1994 Birmingham, UK Grass United States Lori McNeil 6–2, 6–2

Grand Slam singles performance timeline

Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Career SR
Australian Open A A 1R SF 1R QF NH QF 2R QF QF 4R 4R 3R 1R 3R A 0 / 13
French Open A A QF 1R 4R 2R 3R A 4R 3R 1R 1R A 1R 1R 1R A 0 / 12
Wimbledon A A 4R 1R 2R SF 2R A QF 2R F QF 4R 4R QF 3R A 0 / 13
US Open 1R 1R 4R 4R 3R QF 4R 4R SF SF QF 4R 4R 3R 4R 4R 1R 0 / 17
SR 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 2 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 1 0 / 55

References

Bibliography

Footnotes

External links