"Hurricane Helen",[1] as the Canadian press dubbed her for her fiery demeanour, achieved a career-highranking of world No. 13 (November 1989), and was a regular fixture in the top 25 from 1986 to 1991. She won singles titles at two tour events, the 1986 Japan Open and the 1988 Citta de Taranto, and at theFrench Open, she was a quarterfinalist in 1988 (losing to Gabriela Sabatini) and 1989 (losing to Mary Joe Fernández). During her time on theWTA Tour, Kelesi recorded wins overArantxa Sánchez Vicario,Conchita Martínez,Jana Novotná,Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière,Helena Suková andPam Shriver.
Kelesi's game was characterized by aggressive baseline play, with a powerful top-spin forehand and two-handed backhand. She also retrieved well and could play defensively when needed. These skills meant that Kelesi was particularly good on clay and hardcourt surfaces.
Kelesi was a CanadianFederation Cup team member from 1986 to 1993. She wasTennis Canada Singles Player of the Year four times (1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990).
Her professional career came to an end in 1995 when a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball was discovered following months of headaches, dizziness and vision problems.[2][3] Numerous operations followed over the years. Kelesi successfully recovered and began coaching young children in Canada in the late 1990s. She also became a part-time tennis journalist and commentator.
Canada
Barbara Potter
Bettina Fulco
Laura Garrone
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Leila Meskhi
Barbara Paulus
Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière
Andrea Betzner
Monica Seles
Claire Wegink
