Name : Mary Pierce
Date of Birth : 15 Jan 1975
Place of Birth : Montreal, Canada
Height : 1.78m
Weight : 68kg
Status : Pro (March 1989)
Nationality : France
Plays : Right Handed (Double Handed Backhand)
Racquet : Yonex RD TI-70 Standard 88
Mary Pierce Detailed Biography
Sanex
WTA Tour Singles Titles: 15
Sanex WTA Tour Doubles Titles: 9
Grand Slam Titles: 2 singles, 1 doubles (w/ Hingis)
ITF Women's Circuit Singles Titles: 2 singles
Career Titles for Singles: 15
Career Titles for Doubles: 9
Career Prize Money: $6,259,366.00
Career Win/Loss Record: 407-176
Mary Pierce was born on January 15th, 1975, in Montreal, Canada while
her mother was on a trip to the city. She never lived in Montreal but
maintains an affinity with the people there whenever the WTA tour makes
a stop for the Canadian Open. During her childhood, her father Jim
initiated Pierce into the sport of tennis. With his guidance and
prodding, she blossomed into a talented player, but the pressure to
perform to his standard was intense. Pierce was raised in a sheltered
environment, where her performance on the court was the sole barometer
of her worth. Her father put everything he had into her success and as
the stakes were raised, he supposedly became abusive. His behavior later
got him expelled from the WTA tour and Pierce expelled him as coach
after tiring of the emotional and physical abuse.
Pierce made her professional debut at the tender age of 14, a record
that stood until Jennifer Capriati broke it at the Hilton Head
tournament in 1989. She made a minimal impact on tour until she cracked
the top ten for the first time in 1994. The next year Pierce made waves
when she was victorious in Melbourne at the Australian Open and she
became the first French woman to capture a Major win since 1967. The
dream of winning for her native France however, was finally realized in
2000 when Pierce won at Roland Garros in Paris. Pierce had never
received universal acceptance in the country of her mother due to her
residence in Florida, but the entire nation celebrated the win en masse.
Pierce now maintains a residence in Paris, France, but calls her lavish
residence in Florida with New York Mets superstar Roberto Alomar home.
After suffering from debilitating injuries during the past two seasons,
Pierce hopes that the last few years of her career will result in at
least one more shot at a Grand Slam victory.