Lori McNeil
Encyclopedia
Lori McNeil is an African American tennis
coach and former professional tennis player from the United States
. McNeil was a childhood friend of fellow African American pro Zina Garrison
. Lori's father, the late Charlie McNeil
, played professional football with the San Diego Chargers in the 1960s.
). She won a total of 10 singles and 33 doubles titles during her career. Her career-high world rankings were World No. 9 in singles (in 1988), and World No. 4 in doubles (in 1987).
McNeil is perhaps best remembered for her results against Steffi Graf
. In 1992, McNeil defeated Graf 7–5 6–4 in the first round of the WTA Tour Championships
, marking the first time since 1985 that Graf had lost in the opening round of a tournament. Then, in 1994, McNeil beat Graf 7–5 7–6 (7–5) in the first round at Wimbledon
, marking the first time in Grand Slam history that a defending-champion suffered a first round loss. That year, McNeil went on to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon before losing to eventual-champion Conchita Martínez
3-6, 6-2, 10-8. This equalled McNeil's best-ever Grand Slam singles performance - she also reached the semi-finals at the U.S. Open
in 1987 (after defeating six-time champion Chris Evert
in the quarterfinals) where she lost to Graf 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
coach and former professional tennis player from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. McNeil was a childhood friend of fellow African American pro Zina Garrison
Zina Garrison
Zina Lynna Garrison is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.-Career:An African-American...
. Lori's father, the late Charlie McNeil
Charlie McNeil
Charles Edis McNeil was a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He was a defensive back who played for the American Football League's Los Angeles and San Diego Chargers...
, played professional football with the San Diego Chargers in the 1960s.
Career
McNeil played on the WTA Tour for 19 years from 1983-2002. During that time she won one Grand Slam mixed doubles title at the French Open in 1988 (partnering Jorge LozanoJorge Lozano
Jorge Lozano is a retired professional tennis player from Mexico. On August 22, 1988, he reached his highest doubles ranking of World Number 4. His highest singles ranking was World Number 51. During his career, he won two mixed doubles titles at the French Open: in 1990 with Arantxa Sánchez, and...
). She won a total of 10 singles and 33 doubles titles during her career. Her career-high world rankings were World No. 9 in singles (in 1988), and World No. 4 in doubles (in 1987).
McNeil is perhaps best remembered for her results against Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf is a former World No. 1 German tennis player.In total, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court's 24...
. In 1992, McNeil defeated Graf 7–5 6–4 in the first round of the WTA Tour Championships
WTA Tour Championships
The WTA Tour Championships is a tennis tournament played annually at the end of the season for the top-ranked players on the Women's Tennis Association tour. The month, city and number of players has changed since the first edition in 1972...
, marking the first time since 1985 that Graf had lost in the opening round of a tournament. Then, in 1994, McNeil beat Graf 7–5 7–6 (7–5) in the first round at Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, marking the first time in Grand Slam history that a defending-champion suffered a first round loss. That year, McNeil went on to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon before losing to eventual-champion Conchita Martínez
Conchita Martínez
Inmaculada Concepción Martínez Bernat is a former professional tennis player from Monzón, Aragón, Spain. She is the only Spanish woman to have won the singles title at Wimbledon, when she beat Martina Navrátilová in the 1994 Women's Singles. She also was the singles runner-up at the 1998...
3-6, 6-2, 10-8. This equalled McNeil's best-ever Grand Slam singles performance - she also reached the semi-finals at the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (tennis)
The US Open, formally the United States Open Tennis Championships, is a hardcourt tennis tournament which is the modern iteration of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, the U.S. National Championship, which for men's singles was first contested in 1881...
in 1987 (after defeating six-time champion Chris Evert
Chris Evert
Christine Marie "Chris" Evert is a former world number 1 professional tennis player from the United States. She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open. She was the year-ending World No...
in the quarterfinals) where she lost to Graf 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Doubles: 1 (0 titles, 1 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1987 | Australian Open Australian Open The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court... |
Grass |  Zina GarrisonZina Garrison Zina Lynna Garrison is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.-Career:An African-American... |
Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver Pam Shriver Pamela Howard Shriver Lazenby , is a former professional tennis player and is currently a sports broadcaster from the United States for ESPN2. During the 1980s and 1990s, she won 133 top-level titles, including 21 women's doubles titles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slam tournaments... |
6–1, 6–0 |
Mixed Doubles: 4 (1 title, 3 runner-ups)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1987 | French Open | Clay | Sherwood Stewart Sherwood Stewart Sherwood Stewart played amateur and professional tennis in the 1970s and 1980s. Stewart was ranked as high as No. 60 in the world in singles on the ATP Rankings on December 31, 1978, and No... |
Pam Shriver Pam Shriver Pamela Howard Shriver Lazenby , is a former professional tennis player and is currently a sports broadcaster from the United States for ESPN2. During the 1980s and 1990s, she won 133 top-level titles, including 21 women's doubles titles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slam tournaments...  Emilio SánchezEmilio Sánchez Emilio Ángel Sánchez Vicario is a former professional tennis player from Spain. He won three Grand Slam doubles titles and the men's doubles silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games... |
6–3, 7–6(4) |
| Winner | 1988 | French Open | Clay |  Jorge LozanoJorge Lozano Jorge Lozano is a retired professional tennis player from Mexico. On August 22, 1988, he reached his highest doubles ranking of World Number 4. His highest singles ranking was World Number 51. During his career, he won two mixed doubles titles at the French Open: in 1990 with Arantxa Sánchez, and... |
 Brenda SchultzBrenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Anne Marie Schultz-McCarthy is a Dutch tennis player. Primarily known for her maiden name Brenda Schultz, she married Sean McCarthy, a former American football player at University of Cincinnati, on 8 April 1995 and adopted his surname... Michiel SchapersMichiel Schapers Michiel Schapers is a former tennis player from The Netherlands.Turning professional in 1982, Schapers represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he was defeated in quarter-finals by eventual winner Miloslav Mečíř of Slovakia.The right-hander Schapers reached his... |
7–5, 6–2 |
| Runner-up | 1992 | French Open | Clay | Bryan Shelton Bryan Shelton Bryan Shelton is a former tennis player from the United States who played collegiately for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1985 to 1988 and professionally from 1989 to 1997. He subsequently returned to his alma mater to coach women's tennis. Shelton was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of... |
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Aránzazu 'Arantxa' Isabel Maria Sánchez Vicario is a Spanish former professional tennis player...  Mark WoodfordeMark Woodforde Mark Woodforde is a former professional tennis player from Australia. He is best known as one half of "The Woodies", a doubles partnership with Todd Woodbridge.... |
6–2, 6–3 |
| Runner-up | 1994 | Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors... |
Grass | T.J. Middleton T.J. Middleton T.J. Middleton is a former professional tennis player from the United States. Middleton attended the University of Georgia where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the 1987 National Championship. He was the 1990 SEC Doubles Champion. He is a member of the Delta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity... |
 Helena SukováHelena Suková Helena Suková is a former professional tennis player from Czechia. During her career, she won 14 Grand Slam titles, 9 of them in women's doubles and 5 of them in mixed doubles... Todd WoodbridgeTodd Woodbridge Todd Andrew Woodbridge is an Australian former tennis player. He was born in Sydney and turned professional in 1988. He is best known for his successful Doubles partnerships with Mark Woodforde and later Jonas Björkman... |
3–6, 7–5, 6–3 |
Singles (10)
|
|
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1. | September 21, 1986 | Tampa, USA Eckerd Open The Eckerd Open is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated tennis tournament played from 1971 to 1990. It was held in St. Petersburg, Florida in the United States from 1971 to 1974, Palm Harbor, Florida in the United States in 1977, in Clearwater, Florida in the United States in 1978 and in Tampa, Florida in... |
Hard | Zina Garrison Zina Garrison Zina Lynna Garrison is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.-Career:An African-American... |
2–6, 7–5, 6–2 |
| 2. | September 28, 1986 | Tulsa, USA | Hard | Beth Herr Beth Herr Beth Herr is an American tennis player. She became the number 1 junior tennis player in the world at age 16. She was the #1 college recruit in 1985 and went on to play for the University of Southern California where she won the NCAA singles title and team title in her freshman year... |
6–0, 6–1 |
| 3. | February 28, 1988 | Oklahoma City, USA Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup are tennis tournaments held in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships is a men's ATP Tour event that has been held since 1976. In previous years it has been known as the U.S. Indoor Championships, the... |
Carpet (I) | Brenda Schultz Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Anne Marie Schultz-McCarthy is a Dutch tennis player. Primarily known for her maiden name Brenda Schultz, she married Sean McCarthy, a former American football player at University of Cincinnati, on 8 April 1995 and adopted his surname... |
6–3, 6–2 |
| 4. | July 17, 1988 | Newport, USA Virginia Slims of Newport The Virginia Slims of Newport is a defunct WTA Tour affiliated tennis tournament played from 1971 to 1990. It was held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States and played on grass courts.-Singles:-Doubles:... |
Grass | Barbara Potter Barbara Potter Barbara Potter is a former tennis player from the United States, who competed professionally on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, winning five singles titles and eighteen doubles titles.-Career:... |
6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
| 5. | August 20, 1989 | Albuquerque, USA | Hard |  Elna ReinachElna Reinach Elna Reinach is a South African former pro tennis player.With Patrick Galbraith, she won the US Open mixed doubles championship in 1994. She played in the 1992 Summer Olympics, where she lost in the first round to Jennifer Capriati. Reinach was runner-up at the French Open with Danie Visser in 1993... |
6–1, 6–3 |
| 6. | February 17, 1991 | Denver, USA | Carpet (I) | Manon Bollegraf Manon Bollegraf Manon Maria Bollegraf is a former professional female tennis player from the Netherlands, who finished fourth in women's doubles at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States.-History:... |
6–3, 6–4 |
| 7. | April 14, 1991 | Tokyo, Japan (Japan Open) Japan Open Tennis Championships The Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships is a tennis tournament held in Ariake Tennis Forest Park with its center court Ariake Coliseum, located in Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan. The championship includes both men's and women's, as well as singles and doubles competitions... |
Hard |  Sabine AppelmansSabine Appelmans Sabine Appelmans is a former tennis player from Belgium, and was Belgium's Fed Cup captain from 2007 until 2011.-Career:... |
2–6, 6–2, 6–1 |
| 8. | June 21, 1992 | Eastbourne, UK | Grass | Linda Harvey Wild Linda Wild Linda Harvey Wild is a retired professional tennis player from the United States.Wild turned pro in 1989. In the first round of her first tournament as a pro, in February, 1990 in her hometown of Chicago, she defeated then fifth-ranked Arantxa Sanchez Vicario... |
6–4, 6–4 |
| 9. | June 13, 1993 | Birmingham, UK | Grass | Zina Garrison |
6–4, 2–6, 6–3 |
| 10. | June 12, 1994 | Birmingham, UK | Grass | Zina Garrison |
6–2, 6–2 |
Doubles (33)
- 1983: Bakersfield (with Kylie Copeland)
- 1985: Brighton (with Catherine SuireCatherine SuireCatherine Suire is a former tennis player from France, who competed as a lucky loser for her native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. She won eight doubles titles in her professional career, and reached her highest individual ranking on the WTA Tour on May 14, 1984, when she became the...
) - 1986: Indianapolis VS of Indianapolis (with Zina GarrisonZina GarrisonZina Lynna Garrison is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.-Career:An African-American...
) - 1986: San Juan (with Mercedes PazMercedes PazMercedes María Paz is a former professional tennis player from Argentina, who won three singles titles during her career on the WTA Tour. The right-hander reached her highest career ranking on April 29, 1991, when she became the number 28 of the world...
) - 1986: Buenos Aires (with Mercedes Paz)
- 1987: Piscataway (with Gigi FernándezGigi FernándezBeatriz "Gigi" Fernández is a former professional tennis player, the first female athlete from her native Puerto Rico to turn professional, the first Puerto Rican woman to ever win an Olympic gold medal and the first to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.Fernandez won 17 Grand...
) - 1987: Newport (with Gigi Fernández)
- 1987: Toronto (with Zina Garrison)
- 1987: Mahwah (with Gigi Fernández)
- 1987: New Orleans (with Zina Garrison)
- 1988: Dallas (with Eva PfaffEva PfaffEva Pfaff is a former German tennis player.During her career she won 5 doubles WTA titles. Her peak world rankings in the sport were 17th in singles and 16th in doubles ....
) - 1988: San Antonio (with Helena SukováHelena SukováHelena Suková is a former professional tennis player from Czechia. During her career, she won 14 Grand Slam titles, 9 of them in women's doubles and 5 of them in mixed doubles...
) - 1988: Hilton Head (with Martina Navratilova)
- 1988: Brighton (with Betsy NagelsenBetsy NagelsenBetsy Nagelsen McCormack is a retired professional tennis player from the United States. Nagelsen won the doubles championship at the 1978 and 1980 Australian Opens . She reached the singles final of the 1978 Australian Open, losing to Christine O'Neil...
) - 1988: Chicago (with Betsy Nagelsen)
- 1989: Oklahoma City (with Betsy Nagelsen)
- 1989: Geneva (with Katrina AdamsKatrina AdamsKatrina Adams is a former professional United States tennis player from Chicago. Her highest singles ranking was 67 on May 8, 1989.-Early life:Adams joined a tennis program in West Side, Chicago when she was six years old...
)
- 1989: Newport (with Helena Suková)
- 1989: Brighton (with Katrina Adams)
- 1989: Indianapolis VS of Indianapolis (with Katrina Adams)
- 1991: Strasbourg (with Stephanie ReheStephanie ReheStephanie Rehe is a retired American professional tennis player.A successful amateur player, Rehe was ranked No. 1 in every age group as a junior . She was the first player to receive a dual No...
) - 1991: Milan (with Sandy CollinsSandy Collins (tennis)Sandy Collins is an American professional tennis player who played from the late 1970s until 1994.Sandy is a native of San Bernardino, California. After high school, Sandy went to Odessa College where she played tennis for Coach Virginia Brown and the Wranglers...
) - 1992: Oklahoma City (with Nicole ProvisNicole BradtkeNicole Bradtke is a retired professional tennis player from Australia.Bradtke won three singles and nine doubles on the WTA Tour in her career. She reached the semifinals of the 1988 French Open, and won a bronze medal in doubles at the 1992 Summer Olympics, partnering Rachel McQuillan...
) - 1992: Birmingham (with Rennae StubbsRennae StubbsRennae Stubbs is an Australian tennis player. She has won several Grand Slam doubles titles and represented Australia at four successive Olympic Games; Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008....
) - 1992: Montreal (with Rennae Stubbs)
- 1993: Birmingham (with Martinva Navratilova)
- 1994: Hilton Head (with Arantxa Sánchez VicarioArantxa Sánchez VicarioAránzazu 'Arantxa' Isabel Maria Sánchez Vicario is a Spanish former professional tennis player...
) - 1994: Strasbourg (with Rennae Stubbs)
- 1995: Oakland (with Helena Suková)
- 1995: Philadelphia (with Helena Suková)
- 1998: Quebec City (with Kimberly PoKimberly PoKimberly Po-Messerli is a former professional tennis player from the United States.During her career, Po won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2000...
) - 2001: Oklahoma City (with Amanda CoetzerAmanda CoetzerAmanda Coetzer is a former professional tennis player from South Africa.Coetzer turned professional in 1988 and retired in 2004...
) - 2001: Bahia (with Amanda Coetzer)
Singles runner-ups (11)
- 1986: Oklahoma City (lost to Marcella MeskerMarcella MeskerMarcella Mesker is a former professional tennis player from the Netherlands.Mesker was active on the WTA tour from 1979 to 1988 and reached the final of the Australian Open Women's Doubles in 1979. She also reached the semi finals of the U.S. Open Women's Doubles in 1984...
) - 1986: Newport (lost to Pam ShriverPam ShriverPamela Howard Shriver Lazenby , is a former professional tennis player and is currently a sports broadcaster from the United States for ESPN2. During the 1980s and 1990s, she won 133 top-level titles, including 21 women's doubles titles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slam tournaments...
) - 1987: Oklahoma City (lost to Elizabeth Sayers SmylieElizabeth SmylieElizabeth Smylie is an Australian former tennis player.She won the Western Australian Sports Star of the Year award in 1985.She won the Comeback Player of the Year award in 1990 and 1993....
) - 1987: Piscataway (lost to Helena SukováHelena SukováHelena Suková is a former professional tennis player from Czechia. During her career, she won 14 Grand Slam titles, 9 of them in women's doubles and 5 of them in mixed doubles...
) - 1987: New Orleans (lost to Chris EvertChris EvertChristine Marie "Chris" Evert is a former world number 1 professional tennis player from the United States. She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open. She was the year-ending World No...
) - 1988: Geneva (lost to Barbara PaulusBarbara PaulusBarbara Paulus is a former professional top 10 female tennis player from Austria. She began playing on the WTA Tour in 1986 and retired in 2001. During her career she won a total of seven WTA tournaments...
)
- 1989: Tokyo Pan Pacific (lost to Martina Navratilova)
- 1991: Westchester (lost to Isabelle DemongeotIsabelle DemongeotIsabelle Demongeot is a former professional tennis player from France, who turned professional on May 1, 1983. She lived in Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera in the early stages of her career and later settled down further south in Gassin.Demongeot won her only WTA Tour singles title in Purchase...
) - 1992: Oklahoma City (lost to Zina GarrisonZina GarrisonZina Lynna Garrison is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career, she was a women's singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1990, a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, and a women's doubles gold medalist at the 1988 Olympic Games.-Career:An African-American...
) - 1995: Birmingham (lost to Zina Garrison)
- 1995: Philadelphia (lost to Steffi GrafSteffi GrafSteffi Graf is a former World No. 1 German tennis player.In total, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court's 24...
)
Grand Slam singles performance timeline
| Tournament | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | Career SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open Australian Open The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court... |
2R | A | 1R | NH | QF | 4R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 1R | 2R | A | 3R | 2R | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 12 |
| French Open | A | 2R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | 3R | 1R | A | 1R | 1R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 14 |
| Wimbledon | A | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | 3R | 4R | 3R | 3R | 3R | 2R | SF | 1R | 3R | 1R | 3R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 13 |
| US Open | A | 4R | 1R | 1R | SF | 3R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 3R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 2R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 13 |
| SR | 0 / 1 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 52 |
- NH = tournament not held.
- A = did not participate in the tournament.
- SR = the ratio of the number of Grand Slam singles tournaments won to the number of those tournaments played.