Mary Joe Fernandez Godsick is a retired professional tennis player. She was born in the Dominican Republic but currently resides in Miami. She has won an Olympic gold medal twice, once in Barcelona and again in Atlanta, both for women’s tennis doubles. She has also won at the Australian Open and the French Open Women’s doubles event.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Fernandez was born Maria Jose Fernandez on August 19, 1971, in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. She stands 175 cm tall. She turned pro in 1986 and retired in 2000. She is a right-handed player with a two-handed backhand.
| Height / weight | 1.75 m / 64 kg |
| Born | 19 Aug 1971 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
Her father was originally from Spain and her mother was from Cuba. When Fernandez was young, the family migrated to the United States. In the same year that she retired from professional tennis, Fernandez married Tony Godsick. Fellow tennis player Monica Seles was a bridesmaid at the wedding.
Fernandez was first noticed after she won four consecutive Orange Bowl titles. She also broke a record with her debut when she became the youngest player at the US Open to win a main draw. She turned professional in 1986.
Singles Career
She made a number of significant finishes throughout her career. As a singles player, she made it to the finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open. She was in the finals of the Australian Open in 1990 and again in 1992.
In the French Open, she made it to the finals in 1993. She was also in the Semi-Finals at Wimbledon in 1991. She was also in the Semi-Finals of the US Open in 1990 and 1992.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, she won the Bronze Medal for Women’s Singles. Her highest singles ranking was World No. 4, which she achieved on October 22, 1990.
Doubles Career
She also had the career of a great doubles player. She won the women’s doubles at the Australian Open in 1991 and the French Open in 1991. She also won the WTA Tour Finals in 1996. She made it to the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 1991 and 1993 and the finals of the US Open in 1989.
She won gold for women’s doubles at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Her highest doubles ranking was No.4. She achieved this on February 18, 1991.
Retirement
Following her retirement, she served as the coach for the US Fed Cup team from 2008 to 2016. She also served as the coach for the women’s team for the 2012 London Olympics. At present, she can be seen on ESPN where she serves as a commentator.
Career Record
Singles
- Career Record: 437–203 (68.3%)
Career Titles: 7 WTA
- Highest Singles Ranking: 4 (October 22, 1990)
Best Grand Slam Singles Performances
- Australian Open - F (1990, 1992)
- French Open - F (1993)
- Wimbledon - SF (1991)
- US Open - SF (1990, 1992)
Doubles
- Career Record: 344–141 (70.9%)
- Career Titles: 17 WTA, 2 ITF
- Highest Doubles Ranking: 4 (February 18, 1991)
Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances
- Australian Open - W (1991)
- French Open - W (1996)
- Wimbledon - SF (1991, 1993)
- US Open - F (1989)
Other Doubles Tournaments
- Tour Finals - W (1996)
Medal Record
Women’s tennis representing the United States
- Gold - 1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, Women’s doubles
- Gold - 1996 Olympic Games Atlanta, Women’s doubles
- Bronze - 1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, Women’s singles
People Ask
What was Mary Joe Fernández’s highest ranking?
She reached a career-high singles ranking of Number 4 in October 1990.
Has Mary Joe Fernández won a Grand Slam?
Yes. She has two doubles Grand Slam titles. She won the 1991 Australian Open and the 1996 French Open titles.
When did Mary Joe Fernández turn pro?
She turned pro in 1986 and she retired in 2000.
