Betsy Nagelsen

Helen Elizabeth "Betsy" Nagelsen McCormack (born October 23, 1956) is an American former professional tennis player.

Career

Nagelsen was the world's top junior in 1973. She won the 1973 U.S. Champion Girls' 16 and under singles. She also won the USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Award in 1974. As a professional, she won the doubles championship at the 1978 and 1980 Australian Opens (with Renáta Tomanová and Martina Navratilova, respectively), and reached the singles final of the 1978 Australian Open, losing to Christine O'Neil. Over her 21-year career on the WTA Tour, Nagelsen won 25 doubles titles and three singles titles.

Nagelsen reached her career-high singles ranking by the end of 1981, when she became the world No. 23. The couple donated money for the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Women's Tennis Hall of Fame is located on the site.

Grand Slam finals Singles: 1 (runner-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore Loss 1978 Australian Open Grass Chris O'Neil 3–6, 6–7(3–7)

Doubles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups) ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Loss 1977(J) Australian Open Grass Kerry Reid Dianne Fromholtz Helen Gourlay 7–5, 1–6, 5–7 Win 1978 Australian Open Grass Renáta Tomanová Naoko Sato Pam Whytcross 7–5, 6–2 Win 1980 Australian Open Grass Martina Navratilova Ann Kiyomura Candy Reynolds 6–4, 6–4 Loss 1987 Wimbledon Grass Elizabeth Smylie Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 5–7, 5–7

Mixed doubles: 1 (runner-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Loss 1987 US Open Hard Paul Annacone Martina Navratilova Emilio Sánchez 4–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–7(12–14)

Grand Slam tournament performance timeline

Singles Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

WTA Tour finals Doubles: 36 (24–12)