 Jaeger in 2024 | |
| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Born | (1965-06-04)June 4, 1965 (age 60) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Turned pro | 1980 |
| Retired | 1985 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two handed-backhand) |
| Prize money | US$ 1,379,065[1] |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 260–85[1] |
| Career titles | 10 |
| Highest ranking | No. 2 (August 17, 1981)[2] |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1982) |
| French Open | F (1982) |
| Wimbledon | F (1983) |
| US Open | SF (1980, 1982) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 47–38[1] |
| Career titles | 4 |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1981, 1982) |
| French Open | QF (1982) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1981) |
| US Open | SF (1980) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Career titles | 1 |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| French Open | W (1981) |
| Wimbledon | 1R (1980, 1983) |
Andrea Jaeger (/ˈjeɪɡər/YAY-gər; born June 4, 1965) is an American former professionaltennis player. She started her professional tennis career at the age of 14 and went on to win pro tennis tournaments while still competing in other junior tennis events.[3][4] By the age of 16, she was the second ranked female professional tennis player in the world. She reached the singles finals at theFrench Open in 1982 and atWimbledon in 1983. She also reached the singles semifinals at theAustralian Open and theU.S. Open. During her career, she won 10 singles titles. In mixed doubles, she won the French Open withJimmy Arias in 1981. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2.
After sustaining a shoulder injury in 1984, Jaeger shifted her focus from professional tennis to humanitarian projects she had begun as a teenager. She committed her tennis earnings to developing programs that provide support to children with cancer and those in need. Now in its 39th year, her initiative offers financial assistance and various care services to affected children and their families.Nelson Mandela once visited to recognize the work of her foundation.
At 19, a shoulder injury abruptly ended her tennis career. In 2006, she joined the Anglican Dominican order, but left in 2009.[5]
Andrea Jaeger was born on June 4, 1965 inChicago.[6] Her parents, Roland and Ilse Jaeger, are both deceased.[7] Jaeger grew up inSkokie andLincolnshire, Illinois.[8]
While a student atStevenson High School, Jaeger was the top-ranked player in the United States in the 18-and-under age group.[9] She won 13 U.S. national junior titles, including the most prominent junior titles in tennis: the1979 Orange Bowl and 1979 Boca Raton.[10]
In 1980 (at the age of 15 years, 19 days), Jaeger became the youngest player ever to be seeded atWimbledon,[11] a record that was broken byJennifer Capriati in 1990.[12] After defeating former championVirginia Wade, she became the youngest quarterfinalist in the history of the tournament.[13] Later in the year, she became the youngest semifinalist inUS Open history. By the age of 16, she had become the second ranked female professional tennis player in the world.[7][14]
Jaeger became a household name on the front pages of news publications, notable magazines and appearances on TV.People Magazine,Sports Illustrated,Life Magazine visited her junior high and high school. One of her endorsement commercials featured Jaeger withBjorn Borg and another with her Mom, highlighting a new way of viewing sports prodigies.[citation needed]
At theFrench Open in 1982, Jaeger defeatedChris Evert in the semifinal 6–3, 6–1 but lost the final toMartina Navratilova. She then reached the semifinals of both the US Open and theAustralian Open, losing both matches to Evert in straight sets.[15] Jaeger and Evert met 10 times in all in 1982, with Jaeger winning three of the first five but losing the last five in a row.[16][17]
AtWimbledon in 1983, Jaeger defeated six-time Wimbledon singles championBillie Jean King 6–1, 6–1 in a semifinal onCentre Court, which was King's last career singles match at that tournament and her most lopsided singles defeat at Wimbledon.[18][19] Jaeger then lost the final to Navratilova.[20][21][22]
Jaeger won eight of the nine singles matches she played for the U.S. inFed Cup. She also won two of the threeWightman Cup singles matches she played for the U.S., resulting in the U.S. winning Fed Cup and Wightman Cup trophies.[23]
A major shoulder injury at the age of 19 ended Jaeger's career in 1985. Jaeger obtained a degree intheology and ministry training.[24][25]
During her career, Jaeger wonU.S. $1.4 million in prize money and had endorsement deals with clothing, racket, shoes, watch and fast food restaurants.[1]
Jaeger used her winnings from tennis to create the Silver Lining Foundation in 1990.[26] The foundation's purpose was to provide long term care to children with cancer and children in need.[27] Originally located inAspen, Colorado, the organization transported groups of young cancer patients to Aspen for a week of support and activities, including horseback riding and whitewater rafting. The foundation also provided money for programs for children who could not travel. The first contributor wasJohn McEnroe.[28] Many high-profile celebrities were involved, includingAndre Agassi,Pete Sampras,David Robinson,Cindy Crawford,David Foster andKevin Costner.[29] The foundation was later renamed ‘Little Star Foundation’, paying tribute to Rhea Olsen, a teenager with cancer from Chicago. Olsen became best friends with Jaeger and became the first-ever paid employee of the Foundation. Jaeger helped Olsen for years before her death.[30][31]
In 1996, Jaeger received theSamuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under, an award given annually byJefferson Awards.[32][33][34]
Jaeger's autobiography,First Service, was published in 2004. In the book, she discussed her teenage years as a tennis player and her focus on serving God. All proceeds from the book were donated to children's charities.[35]
In the aftermath ofHurricane Sandy, and other natural disasters, Jaeger's Foundation provided food, medical, daily, educational and recreational supplies and support to help.[36][37][38][39]
In April 2007, Jaeger and several former athletes, includingAndre Agassi,Lance Armstrong,Tony Hawk,Jackie Joyner-Kersee, andMuhammad Ali, appeared on the American morning television talk showGood Morning America to announce their formation of a charity calledAthletes for Hope.[40][41]
Jaeger's Little Star Foundation has apodcast called Little Star Light. Guests have includedDavid Agus,Jill Bolte Taylor,Christine Brennan,Cindy Crawford,David Foster,Tony Hawk,Judy Jordan,Dallas Jenkins,Samina Khan,Nancy Lieberman,Patrick McEnroe,Anne Drysdale,Joe Moravsky,Brian Sharp,Michael Singer,Leslie Visser,Alice Walker, andKurt Warner.[42][43]
In September 2025, Jaeger attended the unveiling of a “Pressure is a Privilege” plaque honoring Billie Jean King at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the U.S. Open.[44] She reflected on her 1983 Wimbledon semifinal against King, describing it as an honor to share the court with her, and said that King’s phrase “Pressure is a privilege” continues to influence her outlook and charitable work.[45]
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1982 | French Open | Clay |  Martina Navratilova | 6–7(6–8), 1–6 |
| Loss | 1983 | Wimbledon | Grass | Martina Navratilova | 0–6, 3–6 |
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1981 | French Open | Clay | Jimmy Arias |  Betty StöveFred McNair | 7–6, 6–4 |
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1981 | New York City | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 6–7(3–7) |
|
|
| Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1. | Jan 1980 | Las Vegas, US | Hard (i) | Barbara Potter | 7–6, 4–6, 6–1 |
| Loss | 1. | Mar 1980 | Edmond, US | Clay |  Regina Maršíková | 2–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 2. | Jun 1980 | Beckenham, England | Grass |  Jo Durie | 6–0, 6–1 |
| Loss | 2. | Aug, 1980 | Indianapolis, US | Clay | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 4–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 3. | Aug 1980 | Mahwah, US | Hard | Hana Mandlíková | 7–6(7–0), 2–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 3. | Sep 1980 | Las Vegas, US | Hard (i) | Hana Mandlíková | 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 |
| Loss | 4. | Oct 1980 | Deerfield Beach, US | Hard | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 4–6, 1–6 |
| Win | 4. | Nov 1980 | Tampa, US | Hard | Tracy Austin | w/o |
| Loss | 5. | Jan 1981 | Landover, US | Carpet (i) | Tracy Austin | 2–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 5. | Jan 1981 | Kansas City, US | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 |
| Win | 6. | Feb 1981 | Oakland, US | Carpet (i) | Virginia Wade | 6–3, 6–1 |
| Loss | 6. | Mar 1981 | Los Angeles, US | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 4–6, 0–6 |
| Loss | 7. | Mar 1981 | Avon Championships, US | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 6–7(3–7) |
| Loss | 8. | Apr 1981 | Orlando, US | Clay | Martina Navratilova | 5–7, 3–6 |
| Loss | 9. | Jun 1981 | Eastbourne, England | Grass | Tracy Austin | 3–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 7. | Aug 1981 | Indianapolis, US | Clay |  Virginia Ruzici | 6–1, 6–0 |
| Loss | 10. | Oct, 1981 | Deerfield Beach, US | Hard | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 6–4, 3–6, 0–6 |
| Loss | 11. | Nov 1981 | Perth, Australia | Grass | Pam Shriver | 1–6, 6–7 |
| Loss | 12. | Jan 1982 | Seattle, US | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 2–6, 0–6 |
| Win | 8. | Feb 1982 | Detroit, US | Carpet (i) |  Mima Jaušovec | 2–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
| Win | 9. | Feb 1982 | Oakland, US | Carpet (i) | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
| Loss | 13. | Apr 1982 | Palm Beach Gardens, US | Clay | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 1–6, 5–7 |
| Loss | 14. | Apr 1982 | Hilton Head Island, US | Clay | Martina Navratilova | 4–6, 2–6 |
| Loss | 15. | Apr 1982 | Amelia Island, US | Clay | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 3–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 16. | May 1982 | French Open | Clay | Martina Navratilova | 6–7(6–8), 1–6 |
| Loss | 17. | Aug 1982 | Montreal, Canada | Hard | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 5–7 |
| Loss | 18. | Oct 1982 | Deerfield Beach, US | Hard | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 1–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 19. | Oct 1982 | Tampa, US | Hard | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 6–3, 1–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 20. | Nov, 1982 | Tokyo, Japan | Carpet (i) | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 3–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 10. | Jan 1983 | Marco Island, US | Clay | Hana Mandlíková | 6–1, 6–3 |
| Loss | 21. | Jan 1983 | Palm Beach Gardens, US | Clay | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 3–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 22. | Feb 1983 | Chicago, US | Carpet (i) | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 2–6 |
| Loss | 23. | Apr 1983 | Orlando, US | Clay | Martina Navratilova | 1–6, 5–7 |
| Loss | 24. | Jun 1983 | Wimbledon, England | Grass | Martina Navratilova | 0–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 25. | Sep 1983 | Tokyo, Japan | Carpet (i) | Lisa Bonder | 2–6, 7–5, 1–6 |
| Loss | 26. | Apr 1984 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard (i) | Chris Evert-Lloyd | 3–6, 0–6 |
|
|
| Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1. | Aug 1980 | Toronto, Canada | Hard | Regina Maršíková | Ann KiyomuraBetsy Nagelsen | 6–1, 6–3 |
| Win | 2. | Oct 1980 | Deerfield Beach, US | Hard | Regina Maršíková | Martina NavratilovaCandy Reynolds | 1–6, 6–1, 6–2 |
| Win | 3. | Jan 1983 | Marco Island, US | Clay | Mary-Lou Piatek | Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull | 7–5, 6–4 |
| Loss | 1. | Apr 1983 | Hilton Head Island, US | Clay | Paula Smith | Martina Navratilova Candy Reynolds | 2–6, 3–6 |
| Win | 4. | Aug 1983 | Toronto, Canada | Hard | Anne Hobbs |  Rosalyn Fairbank Candy Reynolds | 6–4, 5–7, 7–5 |
| Loss | 2. | Jan 1984 | Marco Island, US | Clay | Anne Hobbs | Hana MandlíkováHelena Suková | 6–3, 2–6, 2–6 |
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | DNQ | A | NH |
| Tournament | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | Career SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | A | A | QF | SF | A | A | A | 0 / 2 |
| French Open | A | 1R | SF | F | SF | 1R | 2R | 0 / 6 |
| Wimbledon | A | QF | 4R | 4R | F | A | A | 0 / 4 |
| U.S. Open | 2R | SF | 2R | SF | QF | A | 2R | 0 / 6 |
| SR | 0 / 1 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 18 |
| Year-end ranking | NR | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 42 | NR |
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)10sballs2025 was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by | WTA Newcomer of the Year 1980 | Succeeded by |