 | |
| Country (sports) |  Australia |
|---|---|
| Born | (1946-02-01)1 February 1946 Brisbane, Australia |
| Died | 11 April 1977(1977-04-11) (aged 31) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | no value |
| Highest ranking | No. 9 (1970) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1970, 1977Jan) |
| French Open | SF (1970) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1970) |
| US Open | QF (1969) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | no value |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1968) |
| French Open | SF (1969, 1972) |
| Wimbledon | F (1974) |
| US Open | QF (1968, 1973, 1974) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1968) |
| French Open | 3R (1969, 1970) |
| Wimbledon | SF (1969, 1973) |
| US Open | 2R |
| Team competitions | |
| Fed Cup | W (1970) |
Karen Krantzcke (1 February 1946 – 11 April 1977) was an Australiantennis player. She achieved a world top ten singles ranking in 1970.[1] In her short career, she made the quarterfinals or better at each of the fourGrand Slam championships in both singles and doubles. She also won the Australian Open in doubles, and assisted Australia to victory in theFederation Cup.
At the age of 31, Krantzcke died from a heart attack whilejogging in Florida, United States, where she was playing on the Challenger circuit.[2][3]
Krantzcke, a tall right-handed player, achieved much junior success including winning theAustralian junior singles title in 1966.[4]
Her most successful season came in 1969/70. After reaching theUS Open quarterfinals, she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open and then reached the quarterfinals atWimbledon. At these tournaments, she upset highly ranked players likeVirginia Wade,Françoise Dürr, andJudy Tegart Dalton.[5]
During this time, she also combined with Dalton to win theFederation Cup for Australia, remaining undefeated in singles and doubles on the German clay.[6]
After Wimbledon in 1970, 'Kran' took eighteen months off the tour after discovering she washypoglycemic.[7]
On returning to the tour, she was never able to get back to her best form. She continued to do well in her home Australian championship and reached the semi-finals for the second time in 1977.[4] During her career she defeatedMargaret Court,Evonne Goolagong Cawley four times,Billie Jean King twice,Kerry Melville Reid four times, andVirginia Wade. At the New South Wales Open in 1974 Krantzcke defeated Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the final 6–2, 6–3 and at Strathfield in 1969 she defeated Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the final 6–3, 6–4.[8]
While playing on the Challenger circuit in the US in 1977, Krantzcke suffered a heart attack while jogging. In response to her untimely death, theWTA instituted theKaren Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award which is still awarded annually to an active WTA Tour player after a vote by fellow tennis pros.
A street in theCanberra suburb ofNicholls, Australian Capital Territory, Krantzcke Crescent, is named after the tennis star.[9]
Krantzcke played twice inFederation Cup for Australia; in 1966 and 1970.[6] She also represented Australia in the Bonne Bell Cup in 1974.[9]
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1968 | Australian Championships | Grass | Kerry Melville | Judy Tegart DaltonLesley Turner Bowrey | 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
| Loss | 1970 | Australian Open | Grass | Kerry Melville | Margaret Court Judy Tegart Dalton | 3–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 1972 | Australian Open | Grass | Patricia Coleman | Helen GourlayKerry Harris | 0–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 1974 | Wimbledon | Grass | Helen Gourlay | Evonne Goolagong Peggy Michel | 6–2, 4–6, 3–6 |
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | DNQ | A | NH |
| Tournament | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2R | 2R | 3R | 3R | QF | QF | SF | A | 2R | QF | QF | A | A | SF | A |
| France | A | A | 3R | 2R | 3R | 1R | SF | A | 3R | A | A | A | A | A | |
| Wimbledon | A | A | 4R | 3R | 2R | 4R | QF | A | 2R | 2R | 4R | A | A | A | |
| United States | A | A | A | A | 3R | QF | A | A | 3R | 3R | 3R | A | A | A | |
Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.
