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Kathryn Jordan (born December 3, 1959) is a former American tennis player. During her career, she won seven Grand Slam titles, five of them in women's doubles and two in mixed doubles. She also was the 1983 Australian Open women's singles runner-up and won three singles titles and 42 doubles titles.

College

She received an athletic scholarship to Stanford University in 1978. While at Stanford, she won the 1979 AIAW Championships in singles and in doubles with her sister Barbara Jordan. in 1979, she won the Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) as the best female collegiate player.[1][2]

Career

Jordan turned professional in 1979. Her best performance in a Grand Slam singles tournament was runner-up at the 1983 Australian Open, where she lost to Martina Navratilova in straight sets..

She was the first player to defeat Chris Evert before the semifinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Jordan defeated Evert 6–1, 7–6 in the third round of Wimbledon in 1983 after Evert had reached at least the semifinals of her first 34 Grand Slam singles tournaments.

In women's doubles, Jordan won five Grand Slam titles, four of which were in partnership with Anne Smith. She also won a career Grand Slam in women's doubles, winning the 1980 French Open, 1980 and 1985 Wimbledon, 1981 US Open, and 1981 Australian Open.

In the Wimbledon final on July 6, 1985, Jordan and Elizabeth Smylie teamed to snap the 109-match winning streak of Navratilova and Pam Shriver by defeating them in three sets.

In mixed doubles, Jordan won two Grand Slam titles, 1986 French Open and 1986 Wimbledon, both of which were in partnership with Ken Flach.

Jordan retired in 1991. Her highest singles rank was world number five in 1984 and her highest doubles rank was world number 6 in 1991. She won several awards during her career, including 1979 WTA Most Impressive Newcomer Award, 1980 WTA Doubles Team of the Year Award with Smith, 1984 WTA Most Improved Player of the Year Award, and 1991 WTA Player Service Award

After retiring, Jordan returned to Stanford University and received a B.A. in political science in 1991. She was elected vice-president of the WTA in 1992. She also served as chairperson of the WTA Drug Testing Committee and served on WTA executive, deferred compensation, finance/marketing, and insurance committees through 1992.

In 2002, Jordan was presented with a Mentor Award by Martina Navratilova, on behalf of the WTA Tour, in recognition of her contribution to the Partners for Success program and to the sport of tennis at large.

Personal life

Jordan was one of the top juniors during the 1970s. She also was a top high school basketball player, being named to the All-Conference basketball team while at Upper Merion Area High School in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Her sister won the 1979 Australian Open women's singles title. Her father, Bob Jordan, was instrumental in the development of the WTA deferred compensation plan. Now, Jordan lives in Palo Alto, California.

Major finals

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 1 (1 runner–up)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1983 Australian Open Grass United States Martina Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(7–5)

Women's doubles: 11 (5 titles, 6 runners-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1980 French Open Clay United States Anne Smith Argentina Ivanna Madruga
Argentina Adriana Villagrán
6–1, 6–0
Win 1980 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
4–6, 7–5, 6–1
Loss 1981 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–3, 7–6(8–6)
Win 1981 US Open Hard United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 6–3
Win 1981 Australian Open Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–2, 7–5
Loss 1982 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–4, 6–1
Loss 1983 French Open Clay United States Anne Smith South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank
United States Candy Reynolds
5–7, 7–5, 6–2
Loss 1984 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–3, 6–4
Win 1985 Wimbledon Grass Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Loss 1987 US Open Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 6–4, 6–2
Loss 1990 Wimbledon Grass Australia Elizabeth Smylie Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
6–4, 6–1

Mixed doubles: 3 (2 titles, 1 runner–up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1984 Wimbledon Grass United States Steve Denton Australia Wendy Turnbull
United Kingdom John Lloyd
6–3, 6–3
Win 1986 French Open Clay United States Ken Flach South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank
Australia Mark Edmondson
3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3
Win 1986 Wimbledon Grass United States Ken Flach United States Martina Navratilova
Switzerland Heinz Günthardt
6–3, 7–6(9–7)

Year-end championships finals

Doubles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner–up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1982 New York City Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–4, 6–3
Win 1990 New York City Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie Argentina Mercedes Paz
Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
7–6(7–4), 6–4

WTA career finals

Singles 13 (3–10)

Winner — Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–1)
WTA Tour Championships (0–0)
Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (3–9)
Titles by surface
Hard (1–1)
Grass (0–3)
Clay (0–0)
Carpet (2–6)
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1. January 8, 1979 San Antonio Carpet United States Linda Siegel 6–2, 7–5
Win 2. March 12, 1979 Orlando Hard Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková 4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Loss 1. August 13, 1979 Richmond Carpet United States Martina Navratilova 1–6, 3–6
Win 3. March 15, 1982 Boston Carpet Australia Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 1–6, 6–4
Loss 2. April 25, 1983 Atlanta Hard United States Pam Shriver 2–6, 0–6
Loss 3. September 19, 1983 Richmond Carpet South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank 4–6, 7–5, 4–6
Loss 4. October 3, 1983 Detroit Carpet Romania Virginia Ruzici 6–4, 4–6, 2–6
Loss 5. November 21, 1983 Sydney Grass United Kingdom Jo Durie 3–6, 5–5
Loss 6. November 28, 1983 Australian Open Grass United States Martina Navratilova 2–6, 6–7(5–7)
Loss 7. March 19, 1984 Dallas Carpet Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková 6–7(3–7), 6–3, 1–6
Loss 8. June 18, 1984 Eastbourne Grass United States Martina Navratilova 4–6, 1–6
Loss 9. May 13, 1985 Melbourne Carpet United States Pam Shriver 4–6, 4–6
Loss 10. February 24, 1986 Oakland Carpet United States Chris Evert-Lloyd 2–6, 4–6

Doubles 78 (42–36)

Winner — Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (6–6)
WTA Tour Championships (1–1)
Tier I (0–0)
Tier II (1–0)
Tier III (1–0)
Tier IV (2–1)
Tier V (0–0)
Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (31–28)
Titles by surface
Hard (16–3)
Grass (4–9)
Clay (6–7)
Carpet (16–17)
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponent Score
Win 1. January 8, 1979 San Antonio Carpet United States Wendy White United States Bunny Bruning
United States Valerie Ziegenfuss
6–2, 6–2
Win 2. August 6, 1979 Indianapolis Clay United States Anne Smith United States Penny Johnson
United States Paula Smith
6–1, 6–0
Loss 1. January 21, 1980 Chicago Carpet West Germany Sylvia Hanika United States Billie Jean King
United States Martina Navratilova
3–6, 4–6
Loss 2. February 4, 1980 Los Angeles Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
United States Martina Navratilova
6–7, 2–6
Loss 3. February 18, 1980 Detroit Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Billie Jean King
South Africa Ilana Kloss
6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Win 3. April 7, 1980 Hilton Head Island Clay United States Anne Smith United States Candy Reynolds
United States Paula Smith
6–2, 6–1
Loss 4. April 14, 1980 Amelia Island Clay United States Pam Shriver United States Rosemary Casals
South Africa Ilana Kloss
6–7, 6–7
Win 4. May 26, 1980 French Open Clay United States Anne Smith Argentina Ivanna Madruga
Argentina Adriana Villagrán
6–1, 6–0
Win 5. June 16, 1980 Eastbourne Grass United States Anne Smith United States Pam Shriver
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–4, 6–1
Win 6. June 23, 1980 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
4–6, 7–5, 6–1
Win 7. September 15, 1980 Las Vegas Hard (I) United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
2–6, 6–4, 6–3
Loss 5. September 22, 1980 Atlanta Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Barbara Potter
United States Sharon Walsh
3–6, 1–6
Win 8. October 20, 1980 Brighton Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–3, 7–5
Loss 6. November 3, 1980 Filderstadt Hard (I) United States Anne Smith Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková
Netherlands Betty Stöve
4–6, 5–7
Win 9. January 19, 1981 Cincinnati Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
1–6, 6–3, 6–3
Loss 7. March 9, 1981 Dallas Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 4–6
Win 10. April 20, 1981 Amelia Island Clay United States Paula Smith United States JoAnne Russell
United States Pam Shriver
6–3, 5–7, 7–6
Loss 8. June 15, 1981 Eastbourne Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
7–6, 2–6, 1–6
Loss 9. 22 June 1981 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
3–6, 6–7(6–8)
Win 11. July 27, 1981 San Diego Hard United States Candy Reynolds United States Rosemary Casals
United States Pam Shriver
6–1, 2–6, 6–4
Loss 10. August 10, 1981 Richmond Carpet United States Anne Smith United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Ann Kiyomura
6–4, 6–7, 4–6
Win 12. September 1, 1981 US Open Hard United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 6–3
Loss 11. November 23, 1981 Sydney Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
7–6, 2–6, 4–6
Win 13. November 30, 1981 Australian Open Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–2, 7–5
Win 14. January 4, 1982 Washington, D.C. Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–2, 3–6, 6–1
Loss 12. January 18, 1982 Seattle Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
5–7, 4–6
Win 15. February 15, 1982 Houston Carpet United States Pam Shriver United Kingdom Sue Barker
United States Sharon Walsh
7–6(8–6), 6–2
Loss 13. February 22, 1982 Oakland Carpet United States Pam Shriver United States Barbara Potter
United States Sharon Walsh
1–6, 6–3, 6–7(5–7)
Win 16. March 1, 1982 Los Angeles Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Barbara Potter
United States Sharon Walsh
6–3, 7–5
Win 17. March 15, 1982 Boston Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
7–6, 2–6, 6–4
Loss 14. March 24, 1982 Avon Championships Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
4–6, 3–6
Loss 15. April 15, 1982 Fort Worth Clay United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 3–6
Loss 16. April 26, 1982 Orlando Clay United States Anne Smith United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
3–6, 3–6
Loss 17. June 14, 1982 Eastbourne Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
3–6, 4–6
Loss 18. June 21, 1982 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
4–6, 1–6
Win 18. July 26, 1982 San Diego Hard United States Paula Smith Brazil Patricia Medrado
Brazil Cláudia Monteiro
6–3, 5–7, 7–6
Win 19. August 9, 1982 Atlanta Hard United States Betsy Nagelsen United States Chris Evert
United States Billie Jean King
4–6, 7–6(13–11), 7–6(7–3)
Loss 19. January 3, 1983 Washington, D.C. Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
6–4, 5–7, 3–6
Loss 20. January 30, 1983 Palm Beach Gardens Clay United States Paula Smith United States Barbara Potter
United States Sharon Walsh
4–6, 6–4, 2–6
Loss 21. February 14, 1983 Chicago Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
1–6, 2–6
Win 20. February 21, 1983 Palm Springs Hard United States Ann Kiyomura Australia Dianne Fromholtz
Netherlands Betty Stöve
6–2, 6–2
Loss 22. March 14, 1983 Boston Carpet United States Anne Smith United Kingdom Jo Durie
United States Ann Kiyomura
3–6, 1–6
Loss 23. March 28, 1983 Tokyo Carpet United States Anne Smith United States Billie Jean King
United States Sharon Walsh
1–6, 1–6
Loss 24. May 23, 1983 French Open Clay United States Anne Smith South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank
United States Candy Reynolds
7–5, 5–7, 2–6
Loss 25. September 19, 1983 Richmond Carpet United States Barbara Potter South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank
United States Candy Reynolds
7–6(7–3), 2–6, 1–6
Loss 26. 26 September 1983 Hartford Carpet United States Barbara Potter United States Billie Jean King
United States Sharon Walsh
6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Win 21. October 3, 1983 Detroit Carpet United States Barbara Potter United States Rosemary Casals
Australia Wendy Turnbull
6–4, 6–1
Win 22. April 16, 1984 Amelia Island Clay United States Anne Smith United Kingdom Anne Hobbs
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec
6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Loss 27. June 25, 1984 Wimbledon Grass United States Anne Smith United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
3–6, 4–6
Win 23. August 20, 1984 Montreal Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková
6–1, 6–2
Win 24. January 21, 1985 Key Biscayne Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie Soviet Union Svetlana Parkhomenko
Soviet Union Larisa Savchenko
6–4, 7–6(7–2)
Win 25. January 28, 1985 Marco Island Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Camille Benjamin
United States Bonnie Gadusek
6–3, 6–3
Loss 28. February 4, 1985 Delray Beach Hard Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková United States Gigi Fernández
United States Martina Navratilova
6–7(4–7), 2–6
Win 26. April 1, 1985 Tokyo Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Betsy Nagelsen
United States Anne White
6–4, 5–7, 2–6
Loss 29. May 13, 1985 Melbourne Carpet United Kingdom Anne Hobbs United States Pam Shriver
Australia Elizabeth Smylie
2–6, 7–5, 1–6
Loss 30. June 17, 1985 Eastbourne Grass Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 4–6
Win 27. June 24, 1985 Wimbledon Grass Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
5–7, 6–3, 6–4
Win 28. August 12, 1985 Mahwah Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
7–6(8–6), 6–3
Win 29. September 16, 1985 Chicago Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Elise Burgin
United States JoAnne Russell
6–2, 6–2
Win 30. January 20, 1986 Wichita Carpet United States Candy Reynolds United States JoAnne Russell
United States Anne Smith
6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–3
Win 31. January 27, 1986 Key Biscayne Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Betsy Nagelsen
United States Barbara Potter
7–6(7–5), 2–6, 6–2
Win 32. March 3, 1986 Princeton Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie Czechoslovakia Hana Mandlíková
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
6–3, 7–5
Loss 31. March 28, 1986 Nashville Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Barbara Potter
United States Pam Shriver
4–6, 3–6
Loss 32. March 31, 1986 Marco Island Clay United States Elise Burgin United States Martina Navratilova
Hungary Andrea Temesvári
5–7, 2–6
Win 33. September 29, 1986 Hilversum Carpet Czechoslovakia Helena Suková Denmark Tine Scheuer-Larsen
France Catherine Tanvier
7–5, 6–1
Win 34. April 13, 1987 Tokyo Hard United States Betsy Nagelsen United States Sandy Collins
United States Sharon Walsh
6–3, 7–5
Win 35. April 20, 1987 Houston Clay United States Martina Navratilova United States Zina Garrison
United States Lori McNeil
6–2, 6–4
Loss 33. July 13, 1987 Newport Grass United Kingdom Anne Hobbs United States Gigi Fernández
United States Lori McNeil
6–7(5–7), 5–7
Win 36. July 27, 1987 Aptos Hard United States Robin White United States Lea Antonoplis
United States Barbara Gerken
6–1, 6–0
Loss 34. August 31, 1987 US Open Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Martina Navratilova
United States Pam Shriver
7–5, 4–6, 2–6
Win 37. October 19, 1987 Brighton Carpet Czech Republic Helena Suková Denmark Tine Scheuer-Larsen
France Catherine Tanvier
7–5, 6–1
Win 38. March 26, 1990 San Antonio Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Gigi Fernández
United States Robin White
7–5, 7–5
Win 39. April 9, 1990 Tokyo Hard Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Hu Na
Australia Michelle Jaggard
6–0, 3–6, 6–1
Loss 35. May 21, 1990 Strasbourg Clay Australia Elizabeth Smylie Australia Nicole Provis
South Africa Elna Reinach
1–6, 4–6
Loss 36. June 25, 1990 Wimbledon Grass Australia Elizabeth Smylie Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná
Czechoslovakia Helena Suková
3–6, 4–6
Win 40. October 29, 1990 Nashville Hard (I) Soviet Union Larisa Neiland Netherlands Brenda Schultz
Netherlands Caroline Vis
6–1, 6–2
Win 41. November 12, 1990 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie Argentina Mercedes Paz
Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
7–6(7–4), 6–4
Win 42. January 28, 1991 Tokyo Carpet Australia Elizabeth Smylie United States Mary Joe Fernández
United States Robin White
4–6, 6–0, 6–3

Grand Slam performance timelines

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

Tournament 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 W–L
Australian Open A A A A A 3R A F A A NH A A A A 7–2
French Open A A A QF 3R A 4R 2R A 1R A A A A 8–5
Wimbledon A A 4R 4R 4R 3R QF SF 2R 4R 1R A A 1R 21–10
US Open Q1 2R 4R 4R 4R 1R 4R 2R 4R 4R 1R A A 1R 20–11
Year-end ranking NR NR 11 13 15 21 14 10 19 15 35 NR NR 205

Doubles

Tournament 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 W–L
Australian Open A A A W A SF A A NH A A A 3R QF 13–3
French Open A 2R W QF A F QF A QF A A A 2R QF 24–7
Wimbledon A 1R W F F QF F W 3R QF A A F QF 39–9
US Open QF 2R SF W QF SF 3R 2R QF F A QF SF A 38–11
Year-end ranking 4 5 10 10 NR 65 9 21

Mixed doubles

Tournament 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 W–L
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A 2R 1–1
French Open A 2R A A A A A W A A A 1R QF 9–3
Wimbledon A 1R A A QF F SF W QF A A 2R 2R 21–7
US Open 2R A A A 2R QF 1R QF 2R A A 1R A 7–7

Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

References

  1. ^ "Tennis". CWSA. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  2. ^ "UT LADY VOL VILMARIE CASTELLVI RECEIVES HONDA SPORTS AWARD FOR TENNIS". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-16.

External links

Awards
Preceded by WTA Newcomer of the Year
1979
Succeeded by
Categories
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