Barbara Jordan, who grew up in King of Prussia, was the winner of the Australia Open in 1979, writes Cindy Shmerler for The New York Times.
Jordan and her sister Kathy learned tennis from their father, Robert H. Jordan, who would take them to a local club for lessons after work. The lessons took and both sisters went on to play tennis professionally.
In 1979, Australia Open was a largely ignored stepchild among the tournaments. No. 68 in the world that year, Jordan saw this as an opportunity.
As No. 5 seed, she beat fourth-seeded Sharon Walsh in the finale for the title to become one of the only seven American women to win the Australian Open.
While at the time winners did not get to take home the trophy, Jordan’s parents commemorated her achievement with a round silver platter engraved with “1979 Australian Open, Women’s Champion, Barbara Jordan”.
“They were appalled that the tournament never gave me a trophy,” said Jordan. “So, they found a silver platter at an antique auction and had it engraved for me.”
Read more about Barbara Jordan at The New York Times by clicking here.
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