Dianne Fromholtz

Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat (née Fromholtz; born 10 August 1956) is an Australian former professional tennis player who reached a highest singles ranking of world No. 4 in 1979.

In 2019, Fromholtz was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, commemorated by a bronze bust.

Career Fromholtz began playing tennis at the age of seven. She left school at the age of 16 to play in international tournaments. She turned pro in 1973 and joined the WTA Tour.

At the age of 17, she participated in the professional tennis circuit, winning the singles title at a dozen tournaments in 1973, but the rules at the time did not permit prize money to be paid to participants under 18 years of age.

She reached the finals of the Australian Open in January 1977, losing to fellow Australian Kerry Melville Reid in two sets. She was a semifinalist at the French Open in 1979 and 1980. She also reached the semifinals of the US Open in 1976.

Fromholtz won eight WTA Tour singles titles and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 1979. Partnering with Helen Gourlay Cawley, she won the Australian Open women's doubles in January 1977. She had career wins over Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Margaret Court, Virginia Wade, Pam Shriver, and Gabriela Sabatini. She holds an 8–7 career record over King.

Fromholtz met French businessman Claude Balestrat at a New Year's Eve party in 1981, and the couple wed in Dural on 26 December 1982.

On 30 August 2000, Fromholtz was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for her commitment to tennis.

In 2019, Fromholtz was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, commemorated by a bronze bust located in Garden Square, within Melbourne Park.

Grand Slam finals

Singles: (1 runners-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore Loss 1977(J) Australian OpenGrass Kerry Melville Reid 5–7, 2–6

Doubles: (1 title) ResultYearChampionship SurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Win 1977(J) Australian Open Grass Helen Gourlay Kerry Melville Reid Betsy Nagelsen 5–7, 6–1, 7–5

Mixed doubles: (1 runner-up) ResultYearChampionship SurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Loss 1980 Wimbledon Grass Mark Edmondson Tracy Austin John Austin 6–4, 6–7(6–8), 3–6

WTA career finals

Singles: 24 (8–16) Winner – LegendGrand Slam tournaments (0–1)WTA Tour Championships (0–0) Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (8–15)Titles by surfaceHard (0–4)Grass (4–5)Clay (3–1)Carpet (1–6)

Doubles: 12 (5-1–6) Winner – LegendGrand Slam tournaments (1–0)WTA Tour Championships (0–0) Virginia Slims, Avon, Other (4–1-6)Titles by surfaceHard (2–2)Grass (1-1–3)Clay (2–1)Carpet (0–0) ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreDraw 1. Jul 1973 Newport, US Grass Julie Heldman Patti Hogan Sharon Walsh 1–5 shared –final rained outLoss 1. Dec 1973 Hobart, Australia Grass Jackie Fayter Helen Gourlay Karen Krantzcke 2–6, 1–6Win 1. Apr 1974 Phoenix, US Hard Janet Young Ann Kiyomura Betsy Nagelsen w/oLoss 2. Nov 1974 Johannesburg, South Africa Hard Margaret Court Ilana Kloss Kerry Melville 3–6, 5–7Win 2. May 1975 Hamburg, West Germany Clay Renáta Tomanová Paulina Peisachov Kazuko Sawamatsu 6–3, 6–2Win 3. Mar 1976 Tallahassee, US Hard Julie Anthony Virginia Ruzici Mariana Simionescu 6–2, 7–5Loss 3. Dec 1976 Sydney, Australia Grass Renáta Tomanová Helen Gourlay Betsy Nagelsen 4–6, 1–6Win 4. Jan 1977Australian Open Grass Helen Gourlay Kerry Melville Reid Betsy Nagelsen 5–7, 6–1, 7–5Loss 4. Sep 1977 Hilton Head, US Clay Virginia Wade Evonne Goolagong Kerry Melville Reid 2–6, 6–3, 4–6Win 5. May 1979 Vienna, Austria Clay Marise Kruger Ilana Kloss Betty Ann Stuart 3–6, 6–4, 6–1Loss 5. Nov 1979 Melbourne, Australia Grass Anne Smith Billie Jean King Wendy Turnbull 3–6, 3–6Loss 6. Feb 1983 Palm Springs, US Hard Betty Stöve Kathy Jordan Ann Kiyomura 2–6, 2–6

Grand Slam singles tournament timeline

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