Gigi Fernandez

Known for her resilience, determination, and fierce competitiveness, Fernandez rose through the professional ranks and found extraordinary success in doubles competition.

Her first Grand Slam doubles title came at the 1988 U.S. Open. A year later, seeking to train among the sport’s elite, she moved to Aspen, Colorado — home to legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

From there, Fernandez built a remarkable professional career that included:

• 68 career doubles titles
• 17 Grand Slam doubles championships
  • 6 French Opens
  • 5 U.S. Opens
  • 4 Wimbledon titles
  • 2 Australian Opens
• 14 Grand Slam titles alongside Natasha Zvereva, forming one of the most successful doubles teams in Open Era history
• 2 Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles
  • Barcelona 1992
  • Atlanta 1996
• Member of the victorious 1990 U.S. Fed Cup team
• Achieved world rankings of:
  • No. 1 in doubles
  • No. 17 in singles

Fernandez also made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to win an Olympic gold medal.

Honors and Recognition

Fernandez retired in 1997 at age 33, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the sport today. Her achievements have been widely celebrated, including:

• Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century (2000)
• Clemson University Hall of Fame inductee (2005)
• Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame honoree (2008)
• International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee alongside Natasha Zvereva (2010)
• Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame inductee (2019)

Giving Back to the Game

Today, Fernandez remains deeply involved in tennis through coaching, education, and philanthropy. She serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Board of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and has coached both the Puerto Rican national team and the University of South Florida women’s tennis program.

She also created the “Gigi Method,” a doubles training program designed to help adult players improve through camps, clinics, and instructional events.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Fernandez founded the nonprofit Tennis for Hope, which mobilizes the tennis community to support people affected by natural disasters.

A true pioneer for women’s sports in Puerto Rico, Gigi Fernandez continues to inspire future generations through her achievements, leadership, and commitment to giving back.

By Mary Kay Mauro, ESPN/NFHS