Tracy is pictured here at Wimbledon in 1978 where she lost to the champion Martina Navratilova.
Tracy Austin was a child prodigy from a tennis-playing family and
between the ages of 12 years and 18 years won 25 national age group
titles. Her sister and three brothers were all tournament players.
Coached by Robert Lansdorp she became the youngest ever player to win
the U.S. Open Championship when she beat Chris Evert 6-4, 6-3 at the age
of 16 years and 9 months in 1979. The following year she ended the
four-year reign of Evert and Navratilova by becoming the world No. 1.
Her powerful forehand, double-handed backhand and marvellous court
coverage were her strengths.
In the 1981 U.S. Open she beat Martina
Navratilova 1-6, 7-6, 7-6, in the first Grand Final to be was decided
with a tie-break. She won the Wimbledon doubles in 1980 with her
brother, Jeff, the first brother and sister pair to do so. During her
career she won 29 titles but injury cut it short and she retired in 1984
after injuries to her back and neck. In 1988 she made a return to
playing doubles and the following year to singles but, unfortunately,
she broke a leg in a car accident and was unable to play again until
1993 when she played in a few minor tournaments. On 17th April 1993 she
married Scott Holt. They had three sons. (Karen Herringshaw.)
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