Tracy Austin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tracy Austin

Austin in 2009
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Rolling Hills, California, U.S.
Born	(1962-12-12) December 12, 1962 (age 62) Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Turned pro	October 23, 1978 (age 15)
Retired	July 1994 (age 31)
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Pancho Segura, Robert Lansdorp, Vic Braden
Prize money	$2,092,380
Int. Tennis HoF	1992 (member page)
Singles
Career record	335–90 (78.82%)
Career titles	30
Highest ranking	No. 1 (April 7, 1980)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	QF (1981)
French Open	QF (1982, 1983)
Wimbledon	SF (1979, 1980)
US Open	W (1979, 1981)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	W (1980)
Doubles
Career record	13–16
Career titles	5
Highest ranking	No. 41 (August 14, 1989)
Grand Slam doubles results
Wimbledon	3R (1977)
US Open	QF (1978, 1979)
Mixed doubles
Career record	15–6
Career titles	1
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Wimbledon	W (1980)
US Open	SF (1988)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	W (1978, 1979, 1980)
Wightman Cup	W (1979, 1981)

Tracy Ann Austin Holt (born December 12, 1962) is an American former tennis player. She was once ranked the world No. 1 in singles. Tracy won three major titles. These included the women's singles at the 1979 and 1981 US Opens. She also won the mixed doubles at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships.

Tracy Austin is still the youngest US Open female singles champion. She won at just 16 years old. She is also the youngest person to join the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She was only 29 when she was inducted. Tracy won 30 singles titles during her career. She played well on all types of courts. Sadly, injuries and a serious car accident in 1989 cut her career short.

Early Life and Tennis Beginnings

Tracy Austin was born on December 12, 1962. Her hometown is Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. Her parents are George and Jeanne Austin.

Tracy Austin's Tennis Career

Tracy Austin playing in a junior tennis tournament.

Rising Star: 1977 to 1980

In January 1977, Tracy won her first professional singles title. She was just 14 years old. She beat Stacy Margolin at an event in Portland. At her first Wimbledon tournament in 1977, she reached the third round. Later that year, she made it to the quarterfinal at the US Open.

Tracy became a professional player in October 1978. She was almost 16. That same month, she won her first pro title. She defeated Betty Stöve in West Germany.

Austin then won tournaments in Tokyo and Washington. She beat Martina Navratilova in both finals. At the 1979 Wimbledon Championships, she defeated Billie Jean King. Then she lost to Navratilova in the semifinals. In September, Tracy made history. She became the youngest US Open champion ever. She was 16 years and 9 months old. She beat Navratilova and then Chris Evert in the final. Earlier that year, Austin ended Evert's 125-match winning streak on clay courts.

The Associated Press named Austin their Female Athlete of the Year for 1979.

In 1980, Austin reached the semifinals of two Grand Slam tournaments. She lost to Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Wimbledon. At the US Open, she lost to Chris Evert. Austin was ranked the world No. 1 singles player for a total of 21 weeks in 1980. She also won the Avon Championships and the 1980 Colgate Series Championships. In 1980, Tracy won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with her brother John. They were the first brother and sister team to win a Grand Slam title together.

Injuries and Triumphs: 1981 to 1983

Tracy played fewer events in early 1981 due to injuries. In June, she defended her singles title at the Eastbourne International. After Wimbledon, Austin won 26 matches in a row. She won four tournaments in a row. She defeated Pam Shriver in San Diego. Three weeks later, she beat both Navratilova and Evert in Toronto.

At the US Open, Austin won her second title. She defeated Navratilova in a tough three-set final. Navratilova later ended Austin's winning streak. Austin won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Germany. At the Australian Open, she lost in the quarterfinals. Austin won the Toyota Series Championships by beating Navratilova. The Associated Press named Austin its 1981 Female Athlete of the Year again.

In 1982, Austin played against Steffi Graf for the first time. Graf was only 13 years old and making her pro debut. Austin won the match. Back injuries and nerve pain then started to affect Austin's play. Billie Jean King beat Austin at Wimbledon. A few weeks later, Austin won her 30th and final singles title in San Diego. She also reached the semifinals of the 1982 Toyota Series Championships.

In 1983, she was the runner-up at the Family Circle Cup. She lost to Navratilova. She also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open.

Comebacks and Challenges: 1984 to 1989

Austin played only a few times from 1984 to 1987. She tried to return to the tour in 1988 and 1989. A highlight was reaching the mixed doubles semifinals at the 1988 US Open. Her comeback ended due to a very serious car accident. This happened on August 3, 1989. She suffered a bruised heart, a bruised spleen, a sprained back, and a shattered knee.

Hall of Fame and Final Attempts: 1992 to 1994

In 1992, Tracy Austin became the youngest person to join the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She was 29 years old. She tried another comeback in 1993 and 1994. In 1993, she upset some good players at the Evert Cup. She also had good wins at the WTA Manhattan Beach event. People started to wonder if she could be a top 20 player again. However, her results were not as good in 1994. She lost to Steffi Graf at the Evert Cup. Austin soon retired in June 1994.

Tracy Austin's Playing Style

Tracy Austin played a strong game from the back of the court. She had a powerful forehand and a reliable two-handed backhand. Her favorite shot was hitting the backhand down the line. She thought her backhand was more powerful and accurate than her forehand.

She was very good at covering the court. She hit the ball deep and with great speed and accuracy. Her first serve was steady and worked well on all surfaces. Her second serve was not as strong, but she rarely made double faults.

Life After Tennis

After retiring from playing, Tracy Austin became a commentator. She has worked for NBC and the USA Network. She covered the French Open and the US Open. She also worked for the Seven Network for the Australian Open. She often helps with the BBC's Wimbledon coverage. Since 2010, she has worked for the Tennis Channel. She also works for Canadian television covering the Rogers Cup.

Tracy Austin's Family Life

Tracy Austin is married to Scott Holt, who is a mortgage broker. They have three sons: Sean, Brandon, and Dylan. Brandon Holt is also a professional tennis player. He used to play for the USC tennis team.

Tracy's older sister Pam and her brothers Jeff, Doug, and John were all professional tennis players. Her sister-in-law is fitness author Denise Austin, who is married to Jeff.

Major Tournament Wins

Grand Slam Singles Finals

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	1979	US Open	Hard	Chris Evert	6–4, 6–3
Win	1981	US Open	Hard	Martina Navratilova	1–6, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–1)

Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Finals

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Win	1980	Wimbledon	Grass	John Austin	Dianne Fromholtz Mark Edmondson	4–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–3
Loss	1981	Wimbledon	Grass	John Austin	Betty Stöve Frew McMillan	6–4, 6–7(2–7), 3–6

Year-End Championships Singles Finals

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	1979	New York City	Carpet (i)	Martina Navratilova	3–6, 6–3, 2–6
Win	1980	New York City	Carpet (i)	Martina Navratilova	6–2, 2–6, 6–2

Grand Slam Singles Tournament Performance

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

See also

In Spanish: Tracy Austin para niños

• List of female tennis players
• List of Grand Slam women's singles champions