Sharon Walsh, Class of 2026

A California native, Sharon Walsh is a former professional tennis player and longtime teaching professional. She won the Wimbledon girls’ singles title in 1970 and achieved the No. 1 world ranking in the Girls 18s division. She then launched a distinguished international career that spanned the early Open Era.

On the professional tour, Sharon reached a WTA career-high Top 25 singles ranking in the world and was a finalist at the 1979 Australian Open. She earned notable victories over top players, including multiple wins over International Tennis Hall of Famer Hana Mandlíková. 

One of the most reliable doubles competitors of her time, Sharon captured more than 30 doubles titles and a runner-up finish at the 1982 US Open with Barbara Potter. She was finalist at the 1982 US Open and semi-finalist at Wimbledon (1982, 1984), the French Open (1982) and the Australian Open (1980, 1982-85), and she was US Federation Cup team member for five years. She partnered with Billie Jean King to win the 1983 Bridgestone World Doubles Championships and the 1984 US Indoor Championships.

Following her playing career, Sharon transitioned into coaching and was a longtime teaching professional at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, where she was Head Instructional Tennis Professional. Beyond on-court instruction, she contributed to the Broadmoor’s reputation as one of the premier tennis destinations in the world. 

Walsh’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to tennis as both an elite competitor and influential coach.