Born: 1962 (Palos Verdes Peninsula, California)
Biography:
Tracy Ann Austin Holt was born on December 12, 1962, in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. She would go on to become one of the greatest women’s tennis players of her generation, capturing the hearts of fans with her skill, determination, and unwavering spirit.
From a young age, Austin showed remarkable talent and passion for the sport. She began playing tennis at the tender age of four, and her natural aptitude was evident. Under the tutelage of her father, George Austin, a tennis enthusiast and former professional player himself, Tracy honed her skills and developed a solid baseline game.
Austin’s breakthrough came in 1977 when, at the age of fourteen, she won her first professional singles title at the Avon Futures event in Portland. Despite being an amateur at the time, her victory showcased her immense potential and hinted at the success that lay ahead. That same year, Austin made her debut at Wimbledon, reaching the third round before falling to the top-seeded Chris Evert. Her performance at the prestigious tournament set the stage for her remarkable career.
In 1978, less than two months before her sixteenth birthday, Austin turned professional. She wasted no time in making her mark on the tennis world, winning her first professional singles title at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Filderstadt, West Germany. This achievement was followed by tournament wins in Tokyo and Washington, solidifying her status as a rising star.
The year 1979 would prove to be a defining one for Austin. At just sixteen years and nine months old, she became the youngest US Open champion in history by defeating Martina Navratilova in the semifinals and then top-seeded Chris Evert in the final. Austin’s victory shattered Evert’s hopes of capturing her fifth consecutive US Open title, cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
In the years that followed, Austin continued to dominate the tennis scene. She claimed the women’s singles titles at the 1979 and 1981 US Opens and the mixed doubles title at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships. Moreover, she clinched the WTA Tour Championships in 1980 and the year-ending Toyota Championships in 1981, both in singles.
Throughout her career, Austin displayed a formidable playing style. Her solid baseline game relied on a strong flat-hit forehand and a reliable two-handed backhand. Her favorite shot, the backhand down the line, proved to be both powerful and accurate. Austin’s excellent court coverage, combined with her ability to strike the ball deep with pace and precision, made her a formidable opponent on any surface.
Tragically, Austin’s career was cut short by a series of injuries and a serious automobile accident in 1989. Despite this premature end to her playing days, her impact on the sport cannot be understated. Austin won a total of thirty singles titles in her career, showcasing her versatility on all playing surfaces, including clay, indoor carpet, grass, and hard courts.
In recognition of her exceptional achievements, Austin was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the age of twenty-nine, making her the youngest inductee in history. Her legacy and influence on women’s tennis continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of players to push boundaries and strive for greatness.
Awards:
– US Open Women’s Singles Champion (1979, 1981)
– Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion (1980)
– WTA Tour Championships Singles Champion (1980)
– Toyota Championships Singles Champion (1981)
– Inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (1992)