Cara Black

Cara Black is a Zimbabwean former professional tennis player, primarily known as a doubles specialist, who was a former World No. 1 in doubles. She won ten major titles and is one of only three women in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.

She also won one singles title on the WTA Tour and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 31.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Cara Cavell Black was born on February 17, 1979, in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). She stands 168 cm tall and she plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. She currently resides in London, England.

Black comes from a family of professional tennis players; her father, Donald Black, and older brothers, Wayne Black and Byron Black, all competed professionally. The siblings found the most success in doubles—Wayne was a US Open and Australian Open champion, and Byron was a French Open winner.

In August 2005, Black married her long-time boyfriend, Australian mental and fitness trainer Brett Stephens. The couple has a son, who was born in 2012.

Professional Career

Cara Black turned professional in 1998. She quickly established herself as a doubles specialist, winning 60 WTA Tour and 11 ITF doubles titles throughout her career. She ascended to the world No. 1 doubles ranking on October 17, 2005, and is one of only three women in history to have held the No. 1 position for over 160 weeks.

Black won ten major titles in total: five in women's doubles and five in mixed doubles. Her women's doubles victories include the Wimbledon Championships in 2004, 2005, and 2007, the Australian Open in 2007, and the US Open in 2008.

In mixed doubles, she completed a Career Grand Slam, winning the French Open in 2002 and Wimbledon in 2004 with her brother Wayne. With Leander Paes, she won the US Open in 2008, the Australian Open in 2010, and Wimbledon in 2010.

In singles, Black won one WTA Tour title and achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 31 in March 1999. She retired from professional tennis in 2015.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 312–241
• Career titles: 1 WTA, 6 ITF
• Highest ranking: No. 31 (March 15, 1999)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – 2R (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
• French Open – 4R (2001)
• Wimbledon – 3R (1998, 2003, 2005)
• US Open – 2R (1998, 2002, 2004)

Other tournaments (Singles)

• Olympic Games – 2R (2004)

Doubles

• Career record: 750–305
• Career titles: 60 WTA, 11 ITF
• Highest ranking: No. 1 (October 17, 2005)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – W (2007)
• French Open – F (2005)
• Wimbledon – W (2004, 2005, 2007)
• US Open – W (2008)

Other tournaments (Doubles)

• WTA Finals – W (2007, 2008, 2014)

Mixed Doubles

• Career titles: 5

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – W (2010)
• French Open – W (2002)
• Wimbledon – W (2004, 2010)
• US Open – W (2008)