Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen

Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen (born September 14, 1968) is a former American women's professional tennis player, who is considered to be perhaps the greatest player ever to come out of Minnesota.[1] 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.

Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceAlpine, California
Born (1968-09-14) September 14, 1968
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Turned pro1987
Retired1998
PlaysRight-handed
Prize money$724,792
Singles
Career record183–144
Career titles1 WTA
Highest rankingNo. 29 (January 2, 1995)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open4R (1994)
French Open2R (1993, 1994)
Wimbledon3R (1994)
US Open4R (1994)
Doubles
Career record98–108
Career titles1 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 38 (January 9, 1995)

Tennis career

Helgeson-Nielsen 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.[1] She attended Edina High School and became a three-time consecutive Minnesota state singles champion,[2] and was ranked No. 1 by the USTA Northern at all levels.[3]

Helgeson-Nielsen 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.[3]

She played professionally from 1987, spending her first few years on the ITF Women's Circuit. Her best season was in 1994, winning her first WTA title in Auckland and reaching the fourth round of the Australian and U.S. Opens. At the latter event, she beat reigning Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez for her biggest career victory.[4] 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.[4] She returned in March 1996, but wasn't able to make it back into the top 100 in singles. She played her last match at the US Open qualifying tournament in 1998, where she reached the second round.

In addition to her win over Martínez, she also recorded victories over Helena Suková, Mary Joe Fernández, Gigi Fernández, Anke Huber, Lori McNeil, Sabine Appelmans, Sabine Hack and Natasha Zvereva.[4]

In 2009, she was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame,[3] having already been inducted into the Pepperdine Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.[5] Helgeson-Nielsen now lives in Alpine, California,[1] with her two boys. She runs her own professional tennis instruction business.[1]

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References
  1. "Six Inducted In USTA Northern Hall of Fame".
  2. "MSHSL Records".
  3. "Helgeson Named to 2009 USTA Northern Hall of Fame".
  4. Wolf, Bob (July 13, 1995). "This Ginger Is Ailing After Big 1994 Season". The Los Angeles Times.
  5. "Pepperdine Announces New Hall of Fame Class".
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