Celebrating Women in Tennis: Gigi Fernandez, Grand Slam Champion

Gigi, a native of Puerto Rico, was a pioneer for female sports on the island. 

From a young age, her natural ability coupled with her instinct on the court, were signs that Gigi would reach levels that no one on the island had ever dreamed possible. Upon graduating from high school, Gigi accepted a scholarship to Clemson University where she reached the singles finals of the NCAA Championship as a freshman. The success of her first year in college prompted her to turn professional in 1983 becoming Puerto Rico's first female professional athlete, in any sport. 

Gigi won the first of her 17 major championships at the US Open in 1988, and after moving to Aspen in 1989, she continued her illustrious professional career, winning 2 Olympic Gold Medals in doubles with Mary Joe Fernandez (no relation) and 16 additional Grand Slam doubles titles. 

With an astounding 71 titles on the WTA tour (2 singles, 52 doubles plus the 17 majors) Gigi is recognized as one of the best doubles players of all-time. In 2000, Gigi was honored as the Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century and was inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010.