Zina Garrison

Zina Garrison
Country  United States
Residence Houston, Texas, U.S.
Born November 16, 1963 (1963-11-16) (age 48)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
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)
French Open SF (1989)
Wimbledon W (1988, 1990)
US Open SF (1987)
Last updated on: July 12, 2008.
Olympic medal record
Women's tennis
Competitor for the  United States
Gold 1988 Seoul Women's doubles
Bronze 1988 Seoul Women's 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.

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 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 Lori McNeil Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver		 6–1, 6–0
Runner-up 1992 Australian Open Hard Mary Joe Fernández Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
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 Sherwood Stewart Anne Hobbs
Andrew Castle		 3–6, 7–6(5), 6–3
Winner 1988 Wimbledon Grass Sherwood Stewart Gretchen Magers
Kelly Jones		 6–1, 7–6(3)
Runner-up 1989 Australian Open Hard Sherwood Stewart Jana Novotná
Jim Pugh		 6–3, 6–4
Runner-up 1990 Australian Open Hard Jim Pugh Natasha Zvereva
Andrew Castle		 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
Winner 1990 Wimbledon (2) Grass Rick Leach Elizabeth Sayers Smylie
John Fitzgerald		 7–5, 6–2
Runner-up 1993 Australian Open Hard Rick Leach Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
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) Claudia Kohde-Kilsch 6–1, 0–6, 6–2
2. April 21, 1985 Amelia Island, USA Clay Chris Evert 6–4, 6–3
3. November 3, 1985 Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (I) Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 6–3
4. November 2, 1986 Indianapolis, USA (VS of Indianapolis) Hard (I) Melissa Gurney 6–3, 6–3
5. January 11, 1987 Sydney, Australia Grass Pam Shriver 6–2, 6–4
6. February 15, 1987 San Francisco, USA Carpet (I) Sylvia Hanika 7–5, 4–6, 6–3
7. February 26, 1989 Oakland, USA Carpet (I) Larisa Neiland 6–1, 6–1
8. July 23, 1989 Newport, USA Grass Pam Shriver 6–0, 6–1
9. November 12, 1989 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) Larisa Neiland 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
10. June 17, 1990 Birmingham, UK Grass Linda Harvey Wild 6–4, 6–3
11. February 23, 1992 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) Lori McNeil 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(10)
12. February 21, 1993 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) Patty Fendick 6–2, 6–2
13. October 24, 1993 Budapest, Hungary Carpet (I) Sabine Appelmans 7–5, 6–2
14. June 18, 1995 Birmingham, UK Grass 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 the final Score in the final
1. August 10, 1986 Montreal, Canada Hard Gabriela Sabatini Pam Shriver
Helena Suková		 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–4
2. November 2, 1986 Indianapolis, USA Hard (I) Lori McNeil Candy Reynolds
Anne Smith		 4–5 retired
3. August 23, 1987 Toronto, Canada Hard Lori McNeil Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková		 6–1, 6–2
4. October 7, 1987 New Orleans, USA Carpet (I) Lori McNeil Peanut Louie Harper
Heather Ludloff		 6–3, 6–4
5. March 13, 1988 Boca Raton, USA Hard Katrina Adams Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková		 4–6, 5–7, 6–4
6. April 11, 1988 Amelia Island, USA Clay Eva Pfaff Katrina Adams
Penny Barg Mager		 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(5)
7. April 24, 1988 Houston, USA Clay Katrina Adams Lori McNeil
Martina Navratilova		 6–7(4), 6–2, 6–4
8. October 2, 1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul Hard Pam Shriver Jana Novotná
Helena Suková		 4–6, 6–2, 10–8
9. November 27, 1988 Tokyo, Japan (World Doubles) Carpet (I) Katrina Adams Gigi Fernández
Robin White		 7–5, 7–5
10. February 5, 1989 Tokyo, Japan (Pan Pacific) Carpet (I) Katrina Adams Mary Joe Fernandez
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch		 6–3, 6–3, 7–6(5)
11. April 30, 1989 Houston, USA Clay Katrina Adams Gigi Fernández
Lori McNeil		 6–3, 6–4
12. June 25, 1989 Eastbourne, UK Grass Katrina Adams Jana Novotná
Helena Suková		 6–3 retired
13. February 25, 1990 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navrátilová Ann Henricksson
Dinky Van Rensburg		 6–0, 6–3
14. August 12, 1990 San Diego, USA Hard Patty Fendick Elise Burgin
Rosalyn Fairbank Nideffer		 6–4, 7–6(5)
15. October 21, 1990 Filderstadt, Germany Carpet (I) Mary Joe Fernandez Mercedes Paz
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario		 7–5, 6–3
16. March 24, 1991 Key Biscayne, USA Hard Mary Joe Fernandez Gigi Fernández
Jana Novotná		 7–5, 6–2
17. February 14, 1993 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) Katrina Adams Amy Frazier
Kimberly Po		 7–6(3), 6–3
18. February 21, 1993 Oklahoma City, USA Hard (I) Patty Fendick Katrina Adams
Manon Bollegraf		 6–3, 6–2
19. October 10, 1993 Zürich, Switzerland Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova Gigi Fernández
Natasha Zvereva		 6–3, 5–7, 6–3
20. June 12, 1994 Birmingham, UK Grass Larisa Neiland Catherine Barclay
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 Andrea Temesvári 6–2, 6–2
2. January 2, 1984 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 6–1
3. September 30, 1984 New Orleans, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–3
4. January 20, 1985 Denver, USA Carpet (I) Peanut Louie 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
5. July 27, 1985 Indianapolis, USA (US Clay Courts) Clay Andrea Temesvári 7–6(0), 6–3
6. September 21, 1986 Tampa, USA Hard Lori McNeil 2–6, 7–5, 6–2
7. August 23, 1987 Toronto, Canada Hard Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–1
8. October 30, 1988 Indianapolis, USA (VS of Indianapolis) Hard (I) Katerina Maleeva 6–3, 2–6, 6–2
9. February 19, 1989 Washington, DS, USA Carpet (I) Steffi Graf 6–1, 7–5
10. June 18, 1989 Birmingham, UK Grass Martina Navratilova 7–6(5), 6–3
11. August 6, 1989 San Diego, USA Hard Steffi Graf 6–4, 7–5
12. November 5, 1989 Worcester, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–3
13. February 25, 1990 Washington, DC, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–0
14. July 8, 1990 Wimbledon, London, UK Grass Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–1
15. October 23, 1990 San Juan, Puerto Rico Hard Jennifer Capriati 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
16. February 17, 1991 Chicago, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–2
17. October 27, 1991 Brighton, UK Carpet (I) Steffi Graf 5–7, 6–4, 6–1
18. April 19, 1992 Houston, USA Clay Monica Seles 6–1, 6–1
19. June 13, 1993 Birmingham, UK Grass Lori McNeil 6–4, 2–6, 6–3
20. August 1, 1993 Stratton Mountain, USA Hard Conchita Martínez 6–3, 6–2
21. November 7, 1993 Oakland, USA Carpet (I) Martina Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(1)
22. June 12, 1994 Birmingham, UK Grass 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

  1. ^ a b ESPN Classic - Garrison's biggest rally came off the court at espn.go.com (retrieved 2009-04-13)
  2. ^ "Harmon and Garrison to coach US teams in Beijing". 2008-03-19. http://www.itftennis.com/olympics/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=18489. Retrieved 2008-03-24. 

External links