Ginger Helgeson (born September 14, 1968) is a former American professional tennis player, who is considered to be perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Minnesota.[1] She reached her highest singles ranking on January 2, 1995, when she became the No. 29 in the world. In doubles, she reached No. 38 in the same year, on January 9.
Helgeson-Nielsen was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, before moving to Edina after seventh grade. She was coached by her brother, Brace, throughout juniors and high school.[1] She attended Edina High School and became a three-time consecutive Minnesota state singles champion,[2] and was ranked No. 1 by the USTA Northern at all levels.[3]
Helgeson-Nielsen then received a scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Whilst there, she was a four-year letter winner and a three-time All American, and holds the all-time best career winning percentage.[3]
She played professionally from 1987, spending her first few years on the ITF Women's Circuit. Her best season was in 1994, winning her first WTA title in Auckland and reaching the fourth round of the Australian and U.S. Opens. At the latter event, she beat reigning Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez for her biggest career victory.[4] Her ranking hit the top 30 as a result of her breakthrough season. She reached the final of Auckland again in 1995, but a serious wrist injury at a tournament in Amelia Island put her out for the rest of the 1995 season.[4] She returned in March 1996, but wasn't able to make it back into the top 100 in singles. She played her last match at the US Open qualifying tournament in 1998, where she reached the second round.
In 2009, she was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame,[3] having already been inducted into the Pepperdine Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.[5] Helgeson-Nielsen now lives in Alpine, California,[1] with her two boys. She runs her own professional tennis instruction business.[1]
ginger, helgeson, nielsen, ginger, helgeson, born, september, 1968, former, american, professional, tennis, player, considered, perhaps, greatest, player, ever, come, minnesota, reached, highest, singles, ranking, january, 1995, when, became, world, doubles, r. Ginger Helgeson born September 14 1968 is a former American professional tennis player who is considered to be perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Minnesota 1 She reached her highest singles ranking on January 2 1995 when she became the No 29 in the world In doubles she reached No 38 in the same year on January 9 Ginger HelgesonCountry sports United StatesResidenceCarlsbad CaliforniaBorn 1968 09 14 September 14 1968 age 55 St Cloud Minnesota USHeight5 ft 8 in 1 73 m Turned pro1987Retired1998PlaysRight handed two handed backhand Prize money 724 792SinglesCareer record183 144 56 0 Career titles1 WTAHighest rankingNo 29 January 2 1995 Grand Slam singles resultsAustralian Open4R 1994 French Open2R 1992 1993 1994 Wimbledon3R 1994 US Open4R 1994 DoublesCareer record98 108 47 6 Career titles0 WTA 1 ITFHighest rankingNo 38 January 9 1995 Grand Slam doubles resultsAustralian Open2R 1992 1993 1997 French OpenQF 1994 WimbledonQF 1997 US Open3R 1994 Contents 1 Tennis career 2 WTA career finals 2 1 Singles 1 title 1 runner up 2 2 Doubles 2 runner ups 3 Best Grand Slam results details 4 References 5 External linksTennis career editHelgeson Nielsen was born in St Cloud Minnesota before moving to Edina after seventh grade She was coached by her brother Brace throughout juniors and high school 1 She attended Edina High School and became a three time consecutive Minnesota state singles champion 2 and was ranked No 1 by the USTA Northern at all levels 3 Helgeson Nielsen then received a scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu California Whilst there she was a four year letter winner and a three time All American and holds the all time best career winning percentage 3 She played professionally from 1987 spending her first few years on the ITF Women s Circuit Her best season was in 1994 winning her first WTA title in Auckland and reaching the fourth round of the Australian and U S Opens At the latter event she beat reigning Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez for her biggest career victory 4 Her ranking hit the top 30 as a result of her breakthrough season She reached the final of Auckland again in 1995 but a serious wrist injury at a tournament in Amelia Island put her out for the rest of the 1995 season 4 She returned in March 1996 but wasn t able to make it back into the top 100 in singles She played her last match at the US Open qualifying tournament in 1998 where she reached the second round In addition to her win over Martinez she also recorded victories over Helena Sukova Mary Joe Fernandez Gigi Fernandez Anke Huber Lori McNeil Sabine Appelmans Sabine Hack and Natasha Zvereva 4 In 2009 she was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame 3 having already been inducted into the Pepperdine Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 5 Helgeson Nielsen now lives in Alpine California 1 with her two boys She runs her own professional tennis instruction business 1 WTA career finals editLegendGrand Slam tournamentsVirginia SlimsTier ITier IITier IIITier IV amp VSingles 1 title 1 runner up edit Result W L Date Tournament Category Surface Opponent ScoreWin 1 0 Feb 1994 Auckland New Zealand Tier IV Hard nbsp Ines Gorrochategui 7 6 7 4 6 3Loss 1 1 Feb 1995 Auckland New Zealand Tier IV Hard nbsp Nicole Bradtke 6 3 2 6 1 6Doubles 2 runner ups edit Result W L Date Tournament Category Surface Partner Opponents ScoreLoss 0 1 Aug 1992 Schenectady U S Tier V Hard nbsp Shannan McCarthy nbsp Alexia Dechaume nbsp Florencia Labat 3 6 6 1 2 6Loss 0 2 Aug 1994 San Diego Open U S Tier II Hard nbsp Rachel McQuillan nbsp Jana Novotna nbsp Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 3 6 3 6Best Grand Slam results details editAustralian Open1994 Australian OpenRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Veronika Martinek 6 3 6 22R nbsp Kristie Boogert 6 2 6 03R nbsp Anke Huber 7 3 6 7 6 12 10 6 44R nbsp Kimiko Date 10 5 7 1 6 French Open1992 French OpenRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Sophie Amiach 6 4 5 7 6 42R nbsp Nathalie Tauziat 12 6 3 1 6 3 61993 French OpenRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Silke Meier 6 1 4 6 6 22R nbsp Conchita Martinez 4 5 7 2 61994 French OpenRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Elna Reinach 4 6 6 4 6 32R nbsp Conchita Martinez 3 2 6 3 6 Wimbledon Championships1994 WimbledonRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Veronika Martinek 6 3 6 22R nbsp Claire Wegink LL 6 4 6 03R nbsp Amanda Coetzer 14 0 6 3 6 US Open1994 US OpenRound Opponent Score1R nbsp Karin Kschwendt 6 2 6 12R nbsp Asa Carlsson 6 1 6 13R nbsp Conchita Martinez 3 3 6 6 4 6 14R nbsp Gigi Fernandez 3 6 4 6References edit a b c d Six Inducted In USTA Northern Hall of Fame MSHSL Records a b c Helgeson Named to 2009 USTA Northern Hall of Fame permanent dead link a b c Wolf Bob July 13 1995 This Ginger Is Ailing After Big 1994 Season The Los Angeles Times Pepperdine Announces New Hall of Fame Class permanent dead link External links editGinger Helgeson Nielsen at the Women s Tennis Association nbsp Ginger Helgeson Nielsen at the International Tennis Federation nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ginger Helgeson Nielsen amp oldid 1189841192, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
