Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen
Country (sports) | United States |
---|---|
Residence | Carlsbad, California |
Born | St. Cloud, Minnesota, US | September 14, 1968
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
Turned pro | 1987 |
Retired | 1998 |
Plays | Right-handed (two handed backhand) |
Prize money | $724,792 |
Singles | |
Career record | 183–144 (56.0%) |
Career titles | 1 WTA |
Highest ranking | No. 29 (January 2, 1995) |
Grand Slam singles results | |
Australian Open | 4R (1994) |
French Open | 2R (1992, 1993, 1994) |
Wimbledon | 3R (1994) |
US Open | 4R (1994) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 98–108 (47.6%) |
Career titles | 0 WTA, 1 ITF |
Highest ranking | No. 38 (January 9, 1995) |
Grand Slam doubles results | |
Australian Open | 2R (1992, 1993, 1997) |
French Open | QF (1994) |
Wimbledon | QF (1997) |
US Open | 3R (1994) |
Ginger Helgeson (born September 14, 1968) is a former American professional tennis player, who is considered to be perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Minnesota.[1] She reached her highest singles ranking on January 2, 1995, when she became the No. 29 in the world. In doubles, she reached No. 38 in the same year, on January 9.
Tennis career
Helgeson-Nielsen was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, before moving to Edina after seventh grade. She was coached by her brother, Brace, throughout juniors and high school.[1] She attended Edina High School and became a three-time consecutive Minnesota state singles champion,[2] and was ranked No. 1 by the USTA Northern at all levels.[3]
Helgeson-Nielsen then received a scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Whilst there, she was a four-year letter winner and a three-time All American, and holds the all-time best career winning percentage.[3]
She played professionally from 1987, spending her first few years on the
In addition to her win over Martínez, she also recorded victories over Helena Suková, Mary Joe Fernández, Gigi Fernández, Anke Huber, Lori McNeil, Sabine Appelmans, Sabine Hack and Natasha Zvereva.[4]
In 2009, she was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame,[3] having already been inducted into the Pepperdine Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.[5] Helgeson-Nielsen now lives in Alpine, California,[1] with her two boys. She runs her own professional tennis instruction business.[1]
WTA career finals
Legend |
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Grand Slam tournaments |
Virginia Slims |
Tier I |
Tier II |
Tier III |
Tier IV & V |
Singles: 1 title, 1 runner-up
Result | W/L | Date | Tournament | Category | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Feb 1994 | Auckland, New Zealand | Tier IV | Hard | Inés Gorrochategui | 7–6(7–4), 6–3 |
Loss | 1–1 | Feb 1995 | Auckland, New Zealand | Tier IV | Hard | Nicole Bradtke | 6–3, 2–6, 1–6 |
Doubles: 2 runner-ups
Result | W/L | Date | Tournament | Category | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 0–1 | Aug 1992 | Schenectady, U.S. | Tier V | Hard | Shannan McCarthy | Alexia Dechaume Florencia Labat |
3–6, 6–1, 2–6 |
Loss | 0–2 | Aug 1994 | San Diego Open , U.S.
|
Tier II | Hard | Rachel McQuillan | Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
3–6, 3–6 |
Best Grand Slam results details
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References
- ^ a b c d "Six Inducted In USTA Northern Hall of Fame".
- ^ "MSHSL Records".
- ^ a b c "Helgeson Named to 2009 USTA Northern Hall of Fame".[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Wolf, Bob (July 13, 1995). "This Ginger Is Ailing After Big 1994 Season". The Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Pepperdine Announces New Hall of Fame Class".[permanent dead link]