Kerry Harris

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Kerry Harris
Kerry Harris 1969.jpg
Harris in 1969
Country (sports) Australia
ResidencePerth, Western Australia
Born (1949-09-19) 19 September 1949 (age 72)
Melbourne, Australia
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian OpenSF (1972), QF(1973)
French Open3R (1968)
Wimbledon4R (1969, 1972)
US Open3R (1971)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian OpenW (1972), F (1973), F (1974)
French OpenF (1971)

Kerry Harris (born 19 September 1949) is an Australian former professional tennis player, active from 1967 to 1975, who reached the semi-final of the 1972 Australian Open, and reached four Grand Slam doubles finals, of which she won one, in the 1972 Australian Open.

Career[]

Harris’ early years were spent under the guidance of J Hildebrands (Snr), before being coached by Harry Hopman and trained by Stan Nicholes. In 1968, Harris started on the International tour, the first year in the open era, and she was chosen to be a part of Lawn Tennis Association of Australia's Touring Team with Harry Hopman as manager. She later was coached by Merv Rose.

Harris first reached a Grand Slam final in the 1971 French Open Women's Doubles, partnering Helen Gourlay, which they lost in two sets to defending champions Françoise Dürr and Gail Chanfreau.

Harris won the final of the 1972 Australian Open Women's Doubles tournament partnered with Helen Gourlay, beating Patricia Coleman-Clegg and Karen Krantzcke. In the women's singles, seeded number 6, she reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Virginia Wade in three sets.

She reached the women's doubles final of the 1973 Australian Open and 1974 Australian Open partnering Kerry Melville on both occasions. In 1973, Margaret Court and Virginia Wade won the final, and in 1974, Evonne Goolagong and Peggy Michel won.

Harris had wins in her career over Margaret Court, Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Judy Dalton, Wendy Turnbull, Betty Stöve, and Francoise Durr. She was described as an athletic player, with a very powerful serve-and-volley game. She was praised for her good temperament on and off the court.

After her tennis career ended, she became a tennis coach.

Grand Slam finals[]

Doubles (1 title, 3 runner-ups)[]

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1971 French Open Clay Australia Helen Gourlay France Françoise Dürr
France Gail Chanfreau
4–6, 1–6
Win 1972 Australian Open Grass Australia Helen Gourlay Australia Patricia Coleman
Australia Karen Krantzcke
6–0, 6–4
Loss 1973 Australian Open Grass Australia Kerry Melville Australia Margaret Court
United Kingdom Virginia Wade
4–6, 4–6
Loss 1974 Australian Open Grass Australia Kerry Melville Australia Evonne Goolagong
United States Peggy Michel
5–7, 3–6

Other tournaments[]

Doubles (6 titles)[]

Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1971 Newport (Wales) Grass Australia Helen Gourlay France Gail Chanfreau
United Kingdom Winnie Shaw
6–3, 8–6
Win 1971 Cincinnati (USA) Clay Australia Helen Gourlay France Gail Chanfreau
United Kingdom Winnie Shaw
6–4, 6–4
Win 1972 Tucson (USA) Hard Australia Karen Krantzcke Australia Judy Tegart Dalton
France Françoise Dürr
6–3, 6–7, 6–3
Win 1973 Phoenix (USA) Hard Australia Kerry Melville United States Rosemary Casals
United States Billie Jean King
6–4, 6–4
Win 1973 Honolulu (USA) Hard Australia Kerry Melville Australia Helen Gourlay
Australia Karen Krantzcke
6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Win 1974 Mission Viejo (USA) Hard Australia Lesley Hunt United States Chris Evert
United States Billie Jean King
7–5, 6–4

Singles (1 title, 4 runner-ups)[]

Result Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1969 Victoria (Australia) Grass Australia Margaret Court 6–1, 6–4
Win 1971 Essex Championships (UK) Grass Australia Helen Gourlay 6–2, 6–4.
Loss 1972 Adelaide (Australia) Grass Australia Evonne Goolagong 6–1, 6–2
Loss 1973 Philadelphia (USA) Hard Australia Margaret Court 6–1, 6–0
Loss 1973 Perth (Australia) Grass Australia Evonne Goolagong 7–5, 6–1

External links[]


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