Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen

Ginger Helgeson (born September 14, 1968) is an American former professional tennis player, who is considered to be perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Minnesota. She reached her highest singles ranking on January 2, 1995, when she became the No. 29 in the world. In doubles, she reached No. 38 in the same year, on January 9.

Tennis career Helgeson was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, before moving to Edina after seventh grade. She was coached by her brother, Brace, throughout juniors and high school. and was ranked No. 1 by the USTA Northern at all levels.

Helgeson then received a scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Whilst there, she was a four-year letter winner and a three-time All American, and holds the all-time best career winning percentage. Her ranking hit the top 30 as a result of her breakthrough season. She reached the final of Auckland again in 1995, but a serious wrist injury at a tournament in Amelia Island put her out for the rest of the 1995 season. Helgeson now lives in Carlsbad, California, with husband, Vasili Panos. Ginger runs her own posture alignment therapy business, “Realign Design” practicing the Egoscue Method.

WTA career finals Legend Grand Slam tournaments Virginia Slims Tier I Tier II Tier III Tier IV & V

Singles: 1 title, 1 runner-up

ResultW/L DateTournamentCategorySurfaceOpponentScoreWin 1–0 Feb 1994 Auckland, New Zealand Tier IV Hard Inés Gorrochategui 7–6(7–4), 6–3Loss 1–1 Feb 1995 Auckland, New Zealand Tier IV Hard Nicole Bradtke 6–3, 2–6, 1–6

Doubles: 2 runner-ups ResultW/L DateTournamentCategorySurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreLoss 0–1 Aug 1992 Schenectady, U.S. Tier V Hard Shannan McCarthy Alexia Dechaume Florencia Labat 3–6, 6–1, 2–6Loss 0–2 Aug 1994 San Diego Open, U.S. Tier II Hard Rachel McQuillan Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 3–6, 3–6

Best Grand Slam results details