Mary Joe Fernández

(Redirected from Mary Joe Fernandez)

Mary Joe Fernández Godsick (born María José Fernández; August 19, 1971) is an American former professional tennis player, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in both singles and doubles. In singles, Fernández was the runner-up at the 1990 and 1992 Australian Open, and the 1993 French Open. She also won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. In doubles, she won the 1991 Australian Open with Patty Fendick and the 1996 French Open with Lindsay Davenport, plus two Olympic gold medals.

Mary Joe Fernández
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceMiami, Florida, U.S.
Born (1971-08-19) August 19, 1971 (age 53)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Turned pro1986
Retired2000
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$5,258,471
Singles
Career record437–203
Career titles7 WTA
Highest rankingNo. 4 (October 22, 1990)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenF (1990, 1992)
French OpenF (1993)
WimbledonSF (1991)
US OpenSF (1990, 1992)
Other tournaments
Doubles
Career record344–141
Career titles17 WTA, 2 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 4 (February 18, 1991)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenW (1991)
French OpenW (1996)
WimbledonSF (1991, 1993)
US OpenF (1989)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour FinalsW (1996)
Medal record
Women's tennis
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona Women's doubles
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Women's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Women's singles

Career

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Fernández first came to the tennis world's attention as an outstanding junior player who won four straight Orange Bowl junior titles. In 1985, aged 14 years and eight days, she became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the US Open when she defeated Sara Gomer in the first round.

Turning professional in 1986, she won her first tour doubles title in 1989 at Dallas, partnering Betsy Nagelsen. She was also semifinalist at the 1989 French Open, losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 2–6, 2–6.

She reached her first Grand Slam singles final in 1990 at the Australian Open, where she was defeated by Steffi Graf 3–6, 4–6 (having held a 4–1 lead herself in the second set). She won her first WTA Tour singles title the same year at the Tokyo Indoor championships, and finished the year ranked a career-high world No. 4 in singles.

In 1991, Fernández reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, where she was match point up against Monica Seles, before eventually losing 3–6, 6–0, 7–9.[1] She teamed with Patty Fendick to win the women's Australian Open doubles title. At Wimbledon, she reached the semifinals, losing to Steffi Graf in straight sets.

She reached the Australian Open singles final again in 1992, beating world No. 3, Gabriela Sabatini, in the semifinals before losing to Seles, 2–6, 3–6. She also reached the semifinals of the US Open, beating Sabatini in the quarterfinals and losing once again to Seles. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Fernández was selected to represent the United States and won both a gold medal in women's doubles (with Gigi Fernández) and a bronze medal in singles.

In 1993, she won the title in Indian Wells, defeating Amanda Coetzer in the final. At the French Open, she defeated world No. 5 Sabatini in the quarterfinals and world No. 3 Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals. In the final against Steffi Graf, Fernandez held several points to lead 3–0 in the final set, but eventually lost 6–4, 2–6, 4–6.

Fernández won her second Grand Slam doubles title in 1996 at the French Open, partnering with Lindsay Davenport. The pair went on to capture the year-end WTA Tour Championships doubles title later that year.

She was a late replacement for Chanda Rubin on the United States team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She won a second straight women's doubles gold medal, again in partnership with Gigi Fernández. She was also entered in the singles competition (owing to a withdrawal), and reached the semifinals, defeating world No. 2, Conchita Martínez, in the quarterfinals. She was defeated for the bronze medal by Jana Novotná. Later that year, Fernández was a member of the U.S. team that won the Fed Cup.

Fernández reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 1997, losing to Martina Hingis 1–6, 3–6. In May, she won her first and only Tier I tournament in Berlin, beating Jana Novotná in the semifinals and Mary Pierce in the final. At the end-of-year WTA Finals, she defeated world No. 2, Lindsay Davenport.

In 1999, she defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the French Open and in her last Grand Slam appearance she lost to Venus Williams in the fourth round of the US Open the same year.

She retired from the tour in 2000, having won a total of 24 titles: seven WTA singles titles and 17 doubles titles.

Post retirement

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Fernández coached the US Fed Cup team from 2008 to 2016[2] and served as the woman's coach for the 2012 U.S. Olympic tennis team in London.[3]

She currently works as an analyst and commentator for ESPN.[4]

Personal life

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Fernández was born in the Dominican Republic; her parents were immigrants to the country. Her father José is from Asturias, Spain, and her mother Silvia Pino is from Cuba.[5] She completed her high school education at the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida.[6]

In April 2000, Fernández married Anthony (Tony) Godsick, a sports agent with International Management Group.[7] Monica Seles was a bridesmaid at the wedding.[8] They have two children.[9] Her husband is the current agent of Roger Federer.[10] One of their children, Nicholas Godsick, is also a tennis player.[11]

She has homes in Cleveland, Ohio, and Key Biscayne, Florida.[12]

Significant finals

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Grand Slam tournaments

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Singles: 3 (3 runner-ups)

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Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1990 Australian Open Hard   Steffi Graf 3–6, 4–6
Loss 1992 Australian Open Hard   Monica Seles 2–6, 3–6
Loss 1993 French Open Clay   Steffi Graf 6–4, 2–6, 4–6

Doubles: 7 (2 titles, 5 runner-ups)

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Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1989 US Open Hard   Pam Shriver   Hana Mandlíková
  Martina Navratilova
7–5, 4–6, 4–6
Loss 1990 Australian Open Hard   Patty Fendick   Jana Novotná
  Helena Suková
6–7(5–7), 6–7(6–8)
Win 1991 Australian Open Hard   Patty Fendick   Gigi Fernández
  Jana Novotná
7–6(7–4), 6–1
Loss 1992 Australian Open Hard   Zina Garrison   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
  Helena Suková
4–6, 6–7(4–7)
Loss 1996 Australian Open Hard   Lindsay Davenport   Chanda Rubin
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
5–7, 6–2, 4–6
Win 1996 French Open Clay   Lindsay Davenport   Gigi Fernández
  Natasha Zvereva
6–2, 6–1
Loss 1997 French Open Clay   Lisa Raymond   Gigi Fernández
  Natasha Zvereva
2–6, 3–6

Olympics

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Singles: 1 (bronze medal)

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Outcome Year Location Surface Opponent Score
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Clay Tied DNP

Mary Joe Fernández lost in the semifinals to Steffi Graf, 4–6, 2–6. In 1992, there was no bronze medal play-off match, both beaten semifinal players received bronze medals.

Doubles: 2 (2 gold medals)

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Outcome Year Location Surface Partner Opponents Score
Gold 1992 Barcelona Clay   Gigi Fernández   Conchita Martínez
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
7–5, 2–6, 6–2
Gold 1996 Atlanta Hard   Gigi Fernández   Jana Novotná
  Helena Suková
7–6(9–7), 6–4

Year-end championships

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Doubles: 1 title

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Result Year Location Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1996 New York Carpet (i)   Lindsay Davenport   Jana Novotná
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
6–3, 6–2

WTA career finals

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Singles: 16 (7–9)

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Finals by surface
Hard (2–4)
Grass (0–1)
Clay (2–2)
Carpet (3–2)
Result W/L Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Oct 1989 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Carpet (i)   Gabriela Sabatini 6–7(5–7), 4–6
Loss 0–2 Jan 1990 Australian Open Hard   Steffi Graf 3–6, 4–6
Win 1–2 Sep 1990 Tokyo Championships Carpet (i)   Amy Frazier 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Win 2–2 Oct 1990 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Carpet (i)   Barbara Paulus 6–1, 6–3
Loss 2–3 Apr 1991 VS Houston Clay   Monica Seles 4–6, 3–6
Loss 2–4 Sep 1991 Tokyo Championships Hard   Monica Seles 1–6, 1–6
Loss 2–5 Jan 1992 Australian Open Hard   Monica Seles 2–6, 3–6
Loss 2–6 Feb 1992 Essen Grand Prix Carpet (i)   Monica Seles 0–6, 3–6
Win 3–6 Feb 1993 Indian Wells Masters Hard   Amanda Coetzer 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(8–6)
Loss 3–7 May 1993 French Open Clay   Steffi Graf 6–4, 2–6, 4–6
Loss 3–8 Jun 1994 Sydney International Hard   Kimiko Date 4–6, 2–6
Win 4–8 May 1994 Internationaux de Strasbourg Clay   Gabriela Sabatini 2–6, 6–4, 6–0
Win 5–8 Feb 1995 Indian Wells Masters Hard   Natasha Zvereva 6–4, 6–3
Win 6–8 Oct 1995 Brighton International Carpet (i)   Amanda Coetzer 6–4, 7–5
Loss 6–9 Jun 1996 Eastbourne International Grass   Monica Seles 0–6, 2–6
Win 7–9 May 1997 German Open Clay   Mary Pierce 6–4, 6–2

Doubles: 41 (17–24)

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Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (2–5)
WTA Championships (1–0)
Tier I (2–5)
Tier II (8–11)
Tier III (4–3)
Tier IV (0–0)
Tier V (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (7–14)
Grass (0–1)
Clay (5–4)
Carpet (5–5)
Result W/L Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1. Jan 1989 Pan Pacific Open, Japan Carpet (i)   Claudia Kohde-Kilsch   Katrina Adams
  Zina Garrison
3–6, 6–3, 6–7(5–7)
Loss 2. Mar 1989 VS Boca Raton, U.S. Hard   Jo Durie   Jana Novotná
  Helena Suková
4–6, 2–6
Loss 3. Aug 1989 LA Championships, U.S. Hard   Claudia Kohde-Kilsch   Martina Navratilova
  Wendy Turnbull
2–5 ret.
Loss 4. Aug 1989 US Open Hard   Pam Shriver   Hana Mandlíková
  Martina Navratilova
7–5, 4–6, 4–6
Win 1. Sep 1989 VS Dallas, U.S. Carpet (i)   Betsy Nagelsen   Elise Burgin
  Rosalyn Fairbank
7–6(7–5), 6–3
Loss 5. Jan 1990 Australian Open Hard   Patty Fendick   Jana Novotná
  Helena Suková
6–7(5–7), 6–7(3–7)
Win 2. Sep 1990 Tokyo Championships, Japan Carpet (i)   Robin White   Gigi Fernández
  Martina Navratilova
4–6, 6–3, 7–6(7–4)
Win 3. Oct 1990 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Germany Carpet (i)   Zina Garrison   Mercedes Paz
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
7–5, 6–3
Loss 6. Nov 1990 VS Worcester, U.S. Carpet (i)   Jana Novotná   Gigi Fernández
  Helena Suková
6–3, 3–6, 3–6
Win 4. Jan, 1991 Australian Open Hard   Patty Fendick   Gigi Fernández
  Jana Novotná
7–6(7–4), 6–1
Loss 7. Jan 1991 Pan Pacific Open, Japan Carpet (i)   Robin White   Kathy Jordan
  Elizabeth Smylie
6–4, 0–6, 3–6
Win 5. Mar 1991 Miami Masters, U.S. Hard   Zina Garrison   Gigi Fernández
  Jana Novotná
7–5, 6–2
Loss 8. Apr 1991 VS Houston, U.S. Clay   Patty Fendick   Jill Hetherington
  Kathy Rinaldi
1–6, 6–2, 1–6
Win 6. Sep 1991 Tokyo Championships, Japan Hard   Pam Shriver   Carrie Cunningham
  Laura Gildemeister
6–3, 6–3
Loss 9. Nov 1991 Championships of Philadelphia, U.S. Carpet (i)   Zina Garrison   Larisa Neiland
  Jana Novotná
2–6, 4–6
Loss 10. Jan 1992 Sydney International, Australia Hard   Zina Garrison   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
  Helena Suková
6–7(4–7), 7–6(4–7), 2–6
Loss 11. Jan 1992 Australian Open Hard   Zina Garrison   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
  Helena Suková
4–6, 6–7(3–7)
Loss 12. Jun 1992 Eastbourne International, UK Grass   Zina Garrison   Larisa Neiland
  Jana Novotná
0–6, 3–6
Win 7. Sep 1992 Tokyo Championships, Japan Hard   Robin White   Yayuk Basuki
  Nana Miyagi
6–4, 6–4
Loss 13. Mar 1993 Italian Open Clay   Zina Garrison   Jana Novotná
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
4–6, 2–6
Win 8. May 1993 European Open, Switzerland Clay   Helena Suková   Lindsay Davenport
  Marianne Werdel
6–2, 6–4
Loss 14. Oct 1994 Brighton International, UK Carpet (i)   Jana Novotná   Manon Bollegraf
  Larisa Neiland
6–4, 2–6, 3–6
Loss 15. Jan 1995 Sydney International, Australia Hard   Patty Fendick   Lindsay Davenport
  Jana Novotná
5–7, 6–2, 4–6
Win 9. Mar 1995 VS Delray Beach, U.S. Hard   Jana Novotná   Lori McNeil
  Larisa Neiland
6–2, 6–4
Win 10. May 1995 Internationaux de Strasbourg, France Clay   Lindsay Davenport   Sabine Appelmans
  Miriam Oremans
6–2, 6–3
Win 11. Sep 1995 Tokyo Championships, Japan Hard   Lindsay Davenport   Amanda Coetzer
  Linda Wild
6–3, 6–2
Win 12. Jan 1996 Sydney International, Australia Hard   Lindsay Davenport   Lori McNeil
  Helena Suková
6–3, 6–3
Loss 16. Jan 1996 Australian Open Hard   Lindsay Davenport   Chanda Rubin
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
5–7, 6–2, 4–6
Loss 17. Apr 1996 Hilton Head Cup, U.S. Clay   Gigi Fernández   Jana Novotná
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
2–6, 3–6
Win 13. May 1996 French Open Clay   Lindsay Davenport   Gigi Fernández
  Natasha Zvereva
6–2, 6–1
Loss 18. Aug 1996 Canadian Open Hard   Helena Suková   Larisa Neiland
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
6–7(1–7), 1–6
Win 14. Nov 1996 Oakland Classic, U.S. Carpet (i)   Lindsay Davenport   Irina Spîrlea
  Nathalie Tauziat
6–1, 6–3
Win 15. Nov 1996 WTA Tour Championships, New York Carpet (i)   Lindsay Davenport   Jana Novotná
  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
6–3, 6–2
Win 16. Mar 1997 Hilton Head Cup, U.S. Clay   Martina Hingis   Lindsay Davenport
  Jana Novotná
7–5, 4–6, 6–1
Win 17. May 1997 Madrid Open, Spain Clay   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario   Inés Gorrochategui
  Irina Spîrlea
6–3, 6–2
Loss 19. May 1997 French Open Clay   Lisa Raymond   Gigi Fernández
  Natasha Zvereva
2–6, 3–6
Loss 20. Aug 1998 Boston Cup, U.S. Hard   Mariaan de Swardt   Lisa Raymond
  Rennae Stubbs
4–6, 4–6
Loss 21. Sep 1998 Tokyo Cup, Japan Hard   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario   Anna Kournikova
  Monica Seles
4–6, 4–6
Loss 22. Jan 1999 Sydney International, Australia Hard   Anke Huber   Elena Likhovtseva
  Ai Sugiyama
3–6, 6–2, 0–6
Loss 23. Mar 1999 Indian Wells Masters, U.S. Hard   Jana Novotná   Martina Hingis
  Anna Kournikova
2–6, 2–6
Loss 24. Mar 1999 Miami Masters, U.S. Hard   Monica Seles   Martina Hingis
  Jana Novotná
6–0, 4–6, 6–7(1–7)

Grand Slam performance timelines

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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

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Tournament 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Career SR
Australian Open A NH A A 3R F SF F QF 4R 4R 4R SF A 3R 0 / 10
French Open 1R QF 2R A SF QF QF 3R F 3R 1R 4R QF A 4R 0 / 13
Wimbledon A 1R 4R 4R 4R A SF 3R 3R 3R QF QF 4R A 1R 0 / 12
US Open 2R 3R 3R 3R 1R SF 3R SF A 3R QF A 4R 3R 4R 0 / 13
SR 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 2 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 1 0 / 4 0 / 48
Career statistics
Year-end ranking 99 27 20 15 12 4 8 6 7 14 8 16 10 76 38

Doubles

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Tournament 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Career SR
Australian Open NH A A QF F W F QF QF QF F 2R A 2R 1 / 10
French Open A 1R A 2R A QF 1R 3R 3R SF W F A 2R 1 / 10
Wimbledon A 1R A A A SF QF SF 1R 1R QF QF A QF 0 / 9
US Open 1R 2R 2R F A SF QF A A A A 3R 3R QF 0 / 9
SR 0 / 1 0 / 3 0 / 1 0 / 3 0 / 1 1 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 3 1 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 1 0 / 4 2 / 38
Career statistics
Year-end ranking 131 85 63 8 6 5 11 15 26 10 5 16 89 26

References

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  1. ^ O'Connor, Mary (January 25, 1991). "TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Seles Saves Win Over Fernandez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Mary Joe Fernandez steps down as U.S. Fed Cup captain". Tennis.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  3. ^ Joanne C. Gerstner (June 4, 2012). "Mary Joe Fernandez to coach U.S." ESPN. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "ESPN Press Room: Mary Jo Fernandez". ESPN Press Room. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  5. ^ McDermott, Barry (January 6, 1986). "Young Mary Joe Is On The Go". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Murphy, Austin (February 11, 1991). "The Graduate". Sports Illustrated. p. 76.
  7. ^ Society Desk (April 9, 2000). "WEDDINGS; Mary Joe Fernandez, Anthony Godsick". New York Times. p. Section 9; Page 9; Column 1.
  8. ^ Drillman, Lisa (July 6, 2000). "0-0, She's Back". LA Times. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  9. ^ Outlaw, Adrianna (September 16, 2004). "Mama Mary Joe Gives Birth to Second Child". Tennis Week Magazine.
  10. ^ Clarey, Christopher (December 12, 2013). "Federer and His Agent Start Their Own Firm Representing Athletes". The New York Times.
  11. ^ "Roger Federer's Agent Tony Godsick's Family Creates an Unusual Record at French Open 2022". Essentially Sports. May 31, 2022.
  12. ^ "Womens Circuit Players". International Tennis Association. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Orange Bowl Girls' Singles Champion
Category: 18 and under

1985
Succeeded by