Gigi FERNANDEZ

Gigi Fernandez was a Puerto Rico native who played for the island nation at the 1984 Olympics in the tennis demonstration event. Fernandez later became one of the world’s top players, especially in doubles, and competed at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics for the United States, winning the doubles gold medal both times alongside her namesake Mary Joe Fernandez, who is no relation. Gigi also won two gold medals, in both singles and doubles at the 1983 Pan American Games, representing her native Puerto Rico.

Gigi Fernandez won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles – two Australians, six French, four Wimbledons, and five US Opens. She won a doubles Grand Slam each year from 1990-97, and in 1992-94, won three of the four titles. She won 14 of her 17 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside Russian player Natasha Zvereva. In all Fernandez won 69 WTA Tour doubles titles, adding two singles titles.

Fernandez became a tennis coach and entrepreneur, and earned a college degree from the University of South Florida in 2003. She is director of tennis at Chelsea Piers in Connecticut. Her long-time partner was Jane Geddes, a former LPGA golfer who became an executive with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Fernandez was also a distant cousin of actor José Ferrer. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010.