Andrea Jaeger

Early life Andrea Jaeger was born on June 4, 1965, in Chicago. Her parents, Roland and Ilse Jaeger, are both deceased. Jaeger grew up in Skokie and Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Tennis career While a student at Stevenson High School, Jaeger was the top-ranked player in the United States in the 18-and-under age group. She won 13 U.S. national junior titles, including the most prominent junior titles in tennis: the 1979 Orange Bowl and 1979 Boca Raton.

In 1980 (at the age of 15 years, 19 days), Jaeger became the youngest player ever to be seeded at Wimbledon, a record that was broken by Jennifer Capriati in 1990. After defeating former champion Virginia Wade, she became the youngest quarterfinalist in the history of the tournament. Later in the year, she became the youngest semifinalist in US Open history. By the age of 16, she had become the second ranked female professional tennis player in the world.

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 with Bjorn Borg and another with her Mom, highlighting a new way of viewing sports prodigies.

At the French Open in 1982, Jaeger defeated Chris Evert in the semifinal 6–3, 6–1 but lost the final to Martina Navratilova. She then reached the semifinals of both the US Open and the Australian Open, losing both matches to Evert in straight sets. 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.

At Wimbledon in 1983, Jaeger defeated six-time Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King 6–1, 6–1 in a semifinal on Centre Court, which was King's last career singles match at that tournament and her most lopsided singles defeat at Wimbledon. Jaeger then lost the final to Navratilova.

Jaeger won eight of the nine singles matches she played for the U.S. in Fed Cup. She also won two of the three Wightman Cup singles matches she played for the U.S., resulting in the U.S. winning Fed Cup and Wightman Cup trophies.

A major shoulder injury at the age of 19 ended Jaeger's career in 1985. Jaeger obtained a degree in theology and ministry training.

During her career, Jaeger won U.S. $1.4 million in prize money and had endorsement deals with clothing, racket, shoes, watch and fast food restaurants. The foundation's purpose was to provide long-term care to children with cancer and children in need. Originally located in Aspen, 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 was John McEnroe. Many high-profile celebrities were involved, including Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, David Robinson, Cindy Crawford, David Foster and Kevin Costner. 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.

In 1996, Jaeger received the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under, an award given annually by Jefferson Awards.

In 1999, Jaeger received the Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award from the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA).

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.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and other natural disasters, Jaeger's Foundation provided food, medical, daily, educational and recreational supplies and support to help.

In April 2007, Jaeger and several former athletes, including Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Tony Hawk, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Muhammad Ali, appeared on the American morning television talk show Good Morning America to announce their formation of a charity called Athletes for Hope.

Jaeger's Little Star Foundation has a podcast called Little Star Light. Guests have included David 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, and Leslie Visser.

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. 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.

Major finals

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 2 runner-ups ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScoreLoss 1982 French Open Clay Martina Navratilova 6–7(6–8), 1–6Loss 1983 Wimbledon Grass Martina Navratilova 0–6, 3–6

Mixed doubles: 1 title ResultYearChampionship SurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreWin 1981 French Open Clay Jimmy Arias Betty Stöve Fred McNair 7–6, 6–4

Year-end championships finals

Singles: 1 runner-up ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScoreLoss 1981 New York City Carpet (i) Martina Navratilova 3–6, 6–7(3–7)

WTA career finals

Singles: 36 (10–26) Legend Grand Slam tournaments (0–2) WTA Tour Championships (0–1) Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (10–23) Titles by surface Hard (3–7) Grass (1–3) Clay (2–9) Carpet (4–7) ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScoreWin 1. Jan 1980 Las Vegas, US Hard (i) Barbara Potter 7–6, 4–6, 6–1Loss 1. Mar 1980 Edmond, US Clay Regina Maršíková 2–6, 2–6Win 2. Jun 1980 Beckenham, England Grass Jo Durie 6–0, 6–1Loss 2. Aug, 1980 Indianapolis, US Clay Chris Evert-Lloyd 4–6, 3–6Loss 3. Aug 1980 Mahwah, US Hard Hana Mandlíková 7–6(7–0), 2–6, 2–6Win 3. Sep 1980 Las Vegas, US Hard (i) Hana Mandlíková 7–5, 4–6, 6–3Loss 4. Oct 1980 Deerfield Beach, US Hard Chris Evert-Lloyd 4–6, 1–6Win 4. Nov 1980 Tampa, US Hard Tracy Austin w/oLoss 5. Jan 1981 Landover, US Carpet (i) Tracy Austin 2–6, 2–6Win 5. Jan 1981 Kansas City, US Carpet (i) Martina Navratilova 3–6, 6–3, 7–5Win 6. Feb 1981 Oakland, US Carpet (i) Virginia Wade 6–3, 6–1Loss 6. Mar 1981 Los Angeles, US Carpet (i) Martina Navratilova 4–6, 0–6Loss 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, 3–6Loss 9. Jun 1981 Eastbourne, England Grass Tracy Austin 3–6, 4–6Win 7. Aug 1981 Indianapolis, US Clay Virginia Ruzici 6–1, 6–0Loss 10. Oct, 1981 Deerfield Beach, US Hard Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–4, 3–6, 0–6Loss 11. Nov 1981 Perth, Australia Grass Pam Shriver 1–6, 6–7Loss 12. Jan 1982 Seattle, US Carpet (i) Martina Navratilova 2–6, 0–6Win 8. Feb 1982 Detroit, US Carpet (i) Mima Jaušovec 2–6, 6–4, 6–2Win 9. Feb 1982 Oakland, US Carpet (i) Chris Evert-Lloyd 7–6(7–5), 6–4Loss 13. Apr 1982 Palm Beach Gardens, US Clay Chris Evert-Lloyd 1–6, 5–7Loss 14. Apr 1982 Hilton Head Island, US Clay Martina Navratilova 4–6, 2–6Loss 15. Apr 1982 Amelia Island, US Clay Chris Evert-Lloyd 3–6, 1–6Loss 16. May 1982 French Open Clay Martina Navratilova 6–7(6–8), 1–6Loss 17. Aug 1982 Montreal, Canada Hard Martina Navratilova 3–6, 5–7Loss 18. Oct 1982 Deerfield Beach, US Hard Chris Evert-Lloyd 1–6, 1–6Loss 19. Oct 1982 Tampa, US Hard Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–3, 1–6, 4–6Loss 20. Nov, 1982 Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) Chris Evert-Lloyd 3–6, 2–6Win 10. Jan 1983 Marco Island, US Clay Hana Mandlíková 6–1, 6–3Loss 21. Jan 1983 Palm Beach Gardens, US Clay Chris Evert-Lloyd 3–6, 3–6Loss 22. Feb 1983 Chicago, US Carpet (i) Martina Navratilova 3–6, 2–6Loss 23. Apr 1983 Orlando, US Clay Martina Navratilova 1–6, 5–7Loss 24. Jun 1983 Wimbledon, England Grass Martina Navratilova 0–6, 3–6Loss 25. Sep 1983 Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) Lisa Bonder 2–6, 7–5, 1–6Loss 26. Apr 1984 Johannesburg, South Africa Hard (i) Chris Evert-Lloyd 3–6, 0–6

Doubles: 6 (4–2) Winner — Legend Grand Slam tournaments (0–0) WTA Tour Championships (0–0) Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (4–2) Titles by surface Hard (3–0) Grass (0–0) Clay (1–2) Carpet (0–0) ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreWin 1. Aug 1980 Toronto, Canada Hard Regina Maršíková Ann Kiyomura Betsy Nagelsen 6–1, 6–3Win 2. Oct 1980 Deerfield Beach, US Hard Regina Maršíková Martina Navratilova Candy Reynolds 1–6, 6–1, 6–2Win 3. Jan 1983 Marco Island, US Clay Mary-Lou Piatek Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 6–4Loss 1. Apr 1983 Hilton Head Island, US Clay Paula Smith Martina Navratilova Candy Reynolds 2–6, 3–6Win 4. Aug 1983 Toronto, Canada Hard Anne Hobbs Rosalyn Fairbank Candy Reynolds 6–4, 5–7, 7–5Loss 2. Jan 1984 Marco Island, US Clay Anne Hobbs Hana Mandlíková Helena Suková 6–3, 2–6, 2–6

Grand Slam singles performance timeline