Rita Pichardo

Rita Maria Pichardo (born 22 May 1970) is a Cuban former professional tennis player.

Pichardo, a five-time national champion, represented the Cuba Federation Cup team in 1991 and 1992. She featured in a total of six ties, including a World Group second round matchup against Romania, where she lost her singles rubber in three sets to Irina Spîrlea.

In 1993, while competing in satellite tournaments in Mexico, Pichardo made the decision to defect to the United States and with the help of friends crossed the border at Tijuana on a fake passport.

ITF finals Singles: 4 (2–2) Result No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent ScoreWin 1. 19 May 1991 San Luis Potosí, Mexico Hard Monica Mraz 3–6, 6–4, 6–0Loss 1. 26 May 1991 Aguascalientes, Mexico Hard Kirsten Dreyer 6–7(4), 3–6Win 2. 9 March 1992 Monterrey, Mexico Hard Belkis Rodríguez 6–3, 2–6, 6–3Loss 2. 3 October 1993 Monterrey, Mexico Clay Lucila Becerra 3–6, 5–7

Doubles: 9 (6–3) Result No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents ScoreWin 1. 4 March 1990 León, Mexico Clay Yoannis Montesino Hortensia Hernandez Alicia Meraz 6–0, 6–4Win 2. 19 August 1990 Pesaro, Italy Hard Iluminada Concepción Diana Chavez Jolene Watanabe 7–6, 6–2Loss 1. 14 October 1990 Lima, Peru Clay Iluminada Concepción Laura Arraya Karim Strohmeier 4–6, 6–7Win 3. 22 April 1991 Villahermosa, Mexico Hard Belkis Rodríguez Olga Limon Isabela Petrov 6–4, 5–7, 7–6(5)Win 4. 13 May 1991 San Luis Potosí, Mexico Hard Belkis Rodríguez Xóchitl Escobedo Isabela Petrov 6–4, 1–6, 6–3Loss 2. 4 November 1991 Florianópolis, Brazil Clay Belkis Rodríguez Paula Cabezas Macarena Miranda 6–3, 2–6, 2–6Win 5. 11 November 1991 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Clay Belkis Rodríguez Paula Cabezas Macarena Miranda 6–2, 6–3Loss 3. 9 March 1992 Monterrey, Mexico Hard Belkis Rodríguez Lucila Becerra Vincenza Procacci 4–6, 4–6Win 6. 20 September 1993 Guadalajara, Mexico Clay Belkis Rodríguez Adriana Garcia Yoannis Montesino 6–3, 6–1