Gigi Fernandez
presented by Sanchez Elementary
Puerto Rico's First Female Professional Athlete
Background & Career
Beatriz "Gigi" Fernandez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 22, 1964. She started playing tennis at age three and began taking tennis lessons as a birthday gift from her parents at age seven. After winning many games growing up, Gigi attended Clemson University on an athlectic scholarship. When reaching the finals in a championship as a freshman, Gigi turned pro in 1983. Since then, she went on to win a number of awards, including 17 Grand Slam titles and 2 Olympic Gold Medals. Gigi was voted as Puerto Rican female athlete of the century and is the first female Puerto Rican elected into an international sports hall of fame.
Gigi retired from playing professional tennis in 1997. She went on to work as a tennis coach and continued her studies. Gigi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Rollins College's Crummer School of Business. She also started her own company Baby Goes Pro, which produces a series of DVDs that introduce children to sports.
Achievements
Gigi's 17 Grand Slam titles win in women's doubles include six French Open, five US Open, four Wimbledon, and two Austrailian Open. She was also runner-up in three of the four mixed doubles events in 1995. Gigi accomplished sixty eight career titles in women's doubles and ranked number one in doubles in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995. In her career, Gigi has won 69 doubles titles.
Gigi participated in the Olympic games in 1992 and 1996, winning the women's doubles gold medal both times.
Background & Career
Beatriz "Gigi" Fernandez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 22, 1964. She started playing tennis at age three and began taking tennis lessons as a birthday gift from her parents at age seven. After winning many games growing up, Gigi attended Clemson University on an athlectic scholarship. When reaching the finals in a championship as a freshman, Gigi turned pro in 1983. Since then, she went on to win a number of awards, including 17 Grand Slam titles and 2 Olympic Gold Medals. Gigi was voted as Puerto Rican female athlete of the century and is the first female Puerto Rican elected into an international sports hall of fame.
Gigi retired from playing professional tennis in 1997. She went on to work as a tennis coach and continued her studies. Gigi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Rollins College's Crummer School of Business. She also started her own company Baby Goes Pro, which produces a series of DVDs that introduce children to sports.
Achievements
Gigi's 17 Grand Slam titles win in women's doubles include six French Open, five US Open, four Wimbledon, and two Austrailian Open. She was also runner-up in three of the four mixed doubles events in 1995. Gigi accomplished sixty eight career titles in women's doubles and ranked number one in doubles in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995. In her career, Gigi has won 69 doubles titles.
Gigi participated in the Olympic games in 1992 and 1996, winning the women's doubles gold medal both times.
