Helen Kelesi
Helen Kelesi (born 15 November 1969) is a former professional tennis player from Canada. She was coached by her father Milan Kelesi.
Country (sports) | |
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Residence | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada |
Born | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | 15 November 1969
Turned pro | 1985 |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Prize money | US$ 900,990 |
Singles | |
Career record | 263–182 |
Career titles | 2 WTA, 3 ITF |
Highest ranking | No. 13 (20 November 1989) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | 3R (1990) |
French Open | QF (1988, 1989) |
Wimbledon | 3R (1993) |
US Open | 3R (1986, 1987) |
Other tournaments | |
Olympic Games | 1R (1988) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 81–109 |
Career titles | 2 WTA, 0 ITF |
Highest ranking | No. 26 (22 April 1991) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | 2R (1992) |
French Open | QF (1989) |
Wimbledon | 2R (1987, 1988) |
US Open | 2R (1990, 1991) |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
French Open | 2R (1988) |
Wimbledon | 2R (1986, 1987) |
Career
"Hurricane Helen", as the Canadian press dubbed her for her fiery demeanour, achieved a career high WTA ranking of world no. 13 (November 1989), and was a regular fixture in the top 25 from 1986 to 1991. She won singles titles in two tour events, the 1986 Japan Open and the 1988 Citta de Taranto, and at the French Open, she was a quarter-finalist in 1988 (losing to Gabriela Sabatini) and 1989 (losing to Mary-Joe Fernandez). During her time on the WTA Tour, Kelesi recorded wins over Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Jana Novotna, Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere, Helena Sukova and Pam Shriver.
Kelesi's game was characterized by aggressive baseline play, with a powerful top-spin forehand and two-handed backhand. She also retrieved well and could play defensively when needed. These skills meant that Kelesi was particularly good on clay and hard-court surfaces.
Kelesi was a Canadian Federation Cup team member from 1986 to 1993. She was Tennis Canada singles player of the year four times (1986, 1987, 1989, and 1990).
Kelesi's professional career came to an end in 1995 when a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball was discovered following months of headaches, dizziness and vision problems. Numerous operations followed over the years, Kelesi successfully recovered and began coaching young children in Canada in the late 1990s. She also became a part-time tennis journalist and commentator.
WTA Tour finals
Singles: 9 (2 titles, 7 runners-up)
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Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
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Runner-up | 1. | 26 August 1985 | Monticello | Hard | 6–4, 3–6, 2–6 | |
Winner | 1. | 19 October 1986 | Tokyo | Hard | 6–2, 6–2 | |
Winner | 2. | 1 May 1988 | Taranto | Clay | 6–1, 6–0 | |
Runner-up | 2. | 8 May 1988 | Rome | Clay | 1–6, 7–6(4), 1–6 | |
Runner-up | 3. | 7 August 1988 | Cincinnati | Hard | 2–6, 2–6 | |
Runner-up | 4. | 30 April 1989 | Barcelona | Clay | 2–6, 7–5, 1–6 | |
Runner-up | 5. | 12 November 1989 | Nashville | Hard (I) | 2–6, 3–6 | |
Runner-up | 6. | 27 May 1990 | Geneva | Clay | 6–2, 5–7, 6–7(3) | |
Runner-up | 7. | 26 May 1991 | Geneva | Clay | 3–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
Doubles: 5 (2 titles, 3 runners-up)
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Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
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Runner-up | 1. | 1 May 1988 | Taranto | Clay | 1–6, 2–6 | ||
Runner-up | 2. | 7 August 1988 | Cincinnati | Hard | 6–4, 6–7(9), 1–6 | ||
Winner | 1. | 13 May 1990 | Rome | Clay | 6–3, 6–4 | ||
Runner-up | 3. | 5 August 1990 | Montreal | Hard | 6–3, 2–6, 2–6 | ||
Winner | 2. | 21 October 1990 | Scottsdale | Hard | 6–4, 6–2 |
ITF Finals
Singles Finals: 3 (3-0)
$100,000 tournaments |
$75,000 tournaments |
$50,000 tournaments |
$25,000 tournaments |
$10,000 tournaments |
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
Winner | 1. | 3 February 1991 | Midland, Michigan, United States | Hard (i) | 6–2, 6–2 | |
Winner | 2. | 27 January 1992 | Midland, Michigan, United States | Hard (i) | 7–6(7–2), 7–6(10–8) | |
Winner | 3. | 25 January 1993 | Austin, Texas, United States | Hard | 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
Doubles Finals: (0-2)
Outcome | No | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents in the final | Score |
Runner-up | 1. | 3 February 1991 | Midland, Michigan, United States | Hard (i) | 5–7, 5–7 | ||
Runner-up | 1. | 27 January 1992 | Midland, Michigan, United States | Hard (i) | 3–6, 1–6 |
Grand Slam singles performance timeline
Tournament | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Career SR |
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Australian Open | A | NH | 2R | A | A | 3R | A | 1R | A | 2R | A | A | A | 0 / 4 |
French Open | 1R | 1R | 4R | QF | QF | 2R | 3R | A | 1R | 1R | A | A | A | 0 / 9 |
Wimbledon | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | A | 3R | 1R | A | A | A | 0 / 9 |
U.S. Open | 1R | 3R | 3R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | A | A | A | 0 / 10 |
SR | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 32 |
Year End Ranking | 48 | 39 | 32 | 19 | 13 | 25 | 29 | 128 | 49 | 124 | NR | NR | 763 |
External links
- Helen Kelesi at the Women's Tennis Association
- Helen Kelesi at the International Tennis Federation
- Helen Kelesi at the Fed Cup