Zina Garrison is a legend. Long before the Williams sisters came on the scene, Zina was the queen of black American tennis. Her all court game made her a smash with tennis fans worldwide.

Garrison was a firm fixture in the women's elite top 20 for most of her career which spanned an incredible 15 years from 1982 until 1997. She was an inspiration to her fellow athletes as she battled bulimia throughout her career but was still successful, winning 14 singles titles, 20 doubles titles and three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Her longevity in the women's game made her a regular Federation Cup player for her country, the USA, playing alongside the likes of Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Pam Shriver.

The most notable success in her career was an unlikely final appearance at Wimbledon in 1990. She crushed Helena Sukova 6-3 6-3 in the fourth round and then went on to play two of the most amazing matches of her career.

'The most notable success in her career was an unlikely final appearance at Wimbledon in 1990'


In the quarter-finals she came from a set down to defeat Monica Seles after a titanic struggle 3-6 6-3 9-7 and then in the semi-finals she produced an even bigger upset by defeating defending champion and Wimbledon darling Steffi Graf 6-3 3-6 6-4. Garrison's articulate volleying and superb passing shots made her difficult to beat on the grass courts.

She was unlucky that year to meet a finalist bidding for her ninth Wimbledon title, Martina Navratilova. You feel that if it had been anyone else in the final Garrison could have been a Wimbledon winner but the occasion got to her and Navratilova won easily 6-4 6-1. In fact, throughout her career Garrison defeated Navratilova only once in 34 matches!

Garrison is also well known for putting an end to Chris Evert's playing career at the US Open. The darling of Flushing Meadows in New York was defeated by her younger opponent in the 1989 quarter-finals. It was a tearful ocassion. Zina went on to reach the semi-finals of all four of the Grand Slams in her career and faired even better in her doubles matches. winning a host of big tournaments with the likes of Sherwood Stewart and,  more recently, with American doubles legend Rick Leach. She had numerous doubles partners in the women's events most notably with Lori McNeil, Patty Fendick, Mary-Joe Fernandez and Katrina Adams. 

In her career Zina won over 1,000 matches in singles and doubles and amassed a total of over $4,500,000 in prize money alone. Although not a natural favourite with the big tennis sponsors like some of her more glamourous opponents, Garrison did get better deals after her final appearance at Wimbledon.

In 1988 we saw the Olympics take place in Seoul, South Korea. Garrison managed to gain entry into both the singles and doubles events. After winning an excellent bronze medal in the individual event, Garrison did even better in the doubles. Partnering doubles legend Pam Shriver, the American duo beat Jana Novotna and Helena Sukova to win the gold medals for the USA.

Since retiring, Garrison unfortunately split from her husband but has spent her time wisely, helping various youth organisations and anti-drug groups in her home town of Houston, Texas, where she is still a legend. She has her own tennis academy helping under privileged kids and is the now the captain of the USA Fed Cup team.

She is an inspiration to all tennis players in the world. Her dedication and commitment have allowed her to overcome difficulties in her life and still be a winner. She has helped put black American tennis in the spotlight, a trend that both Venus and Serena Williams have, and will continue for a long time to come.