Valerie Ziegenfuss

Valerie Ziegenfuss
Ziegenfuss in 1973
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceU.S.
Born (1949-06-29) June 29, 1949 (age 75)
San Diego, California
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [1]
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Career record25–44
Grand Slam singles results
French Open4R (1972)
Wimbledon3R (1970, 1973, 1975, 1976)
US Open3R (1969, 1975)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games1R (1968-d, 1968-e)
Doubles
Career record45–42
Career titles6
Grand Slam doubles results
French Open3R (1971)
WimbledonSF (1969, 1971)
US OpenSF (1969. 1971)
Mixed doubles
Career record10–9
Career titles0
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French OpenQF (1976)
Wimbledon4R (1970, 1971)
US Open2R (1972)
Other mixed doubles tournaments
Olympic GamesQF (1968-d)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1968 Mexico City Doubles (Exhib.)
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico City Doubles (Demo.)

Valerie Jean Bradshaw (née Ziegenfuss; June 29, 1949) is an American former female professional tennis player. She started as an amateur player at the beginning of the 1970s, then turned professional.

She is most famous for being one of the Original 9 with eight of her fellow players,[1] who rebelled against the United States Tennis Association in 1970.[2] Their actions brought about the creation of the Virginia Slims Circuit, which was the basis for the WTA Tour.[3]

During her career, she reached the fourth round at the French Open (in 1972) and the US Open on two occasions (1969 and 1975). She reached one singles final at the Virginia Slims of Oklahoma in 1972. After winning two rounds of qualifying, she defeated 5th seeded Helen Gourlay, No. 2 seed Francoise Durr, and Judy Dalton (seeded 6th) and then lost to Rosie Casals.[4]

She had far more success in doubles tournaments, with 12 doubles final appearances, including six victories.

She won a bronze medal in doubles in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City with Jane Bartkowicz.

  1. ^ Bostic, Stephanie, ed. (1979). USTA Player Records 1978. United States Tennis Association (USTA). p. 268.
  2. ^ "The Tour Story – One of the greatest stories in sport". Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
  3. ^ Araton, Harvey (August 29, 2000). "Following in the path of a pioneer". The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  4. ^ "1972 results". Tennis Forum. December 6, 2017.