Bonnie Gadusek


Bonnie Gadusek is a retired American professional tennis player.

Career

Gadusek started a career in gymnastics, training for the 1980 Olympics, but fell from uneven parallel bars and landed on her neck, dislocating two vertebrae. While recovering from her injuries, she took up tennis as part of her therapy. She played in her first junior tournament wearing a brace. She was named Junior of the Year in 1980 and Player of the Year in 1981 by the Florida Tennis Association. She won the 1981 French Open girls’ singles championship.
Gadusek played on the WTA Tour from 1981 to 1987. She was named Rookie of the Year in 1982. She won 5 singles and 3 doubles titles before retiring. The right-hander reached her highest career ranking on July 9, 1984, when she became the World No. 8. Her best Grand Slam finishes were two quarterfinals at the US Open, in 1982 and 1986.
Gadusek had career wins over Billie Jean King, Andrea Jaeger, Sue Barker, Hana Mandlíková, Manuela Maleeva, Wendy Turnbull, Gabriela Sabatini, Dianne Fromholtz, Claudia Kohde-Kilsch, Helena Suková, Zina Garrison, Mary Joe Fernandez, Sylvia Hanika, Jo Durie, and Rosie Casals. During her career, she was coached by renowned Australian coach Harry Hopman.
Gadusek was a member of the 1986 Wightman Cup Team. She helped coach the 1987 Wightman Cup Team. She retired with a 169–95 win/loss record.

WTA Tour finals

Singles: 10 (5–5)

ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Jul 1982:fr:Tournoi de tennis de Monte-Carlo|Monte Carlo, MonacoClay Virginia Ruzici2–6, 6–7
Loss0–2May 1983Perugia. ItalyClay Andrea Temesvári1–6, 0–6
Loss0–3Nov 1983Deerfield Beach, U.S.Hard Chris Evert-Lloyd0–6, 4–6
Win1–3Jan 1984Marco Island, U.S.Clay Kathleen Horvath3–6, 6–0, 6–4
Loss1–4Mar 1984Palm Beach Gardens, U.S.Clay Chris Evert-Lloyd0–6, 1–6
Win2–4Jan 1985Marco Island, U.S.Hard Pam Casale6–3, 6–4
Win3–4May 1985Lugano, SwitzerlandClay Manuela Maleeva6–2, 6–2
Win4–4Sep 1985Chicago, U.S.Carpet Kathy Rinaldi6–1, 6–3
Win5–4Oct 1985Indianapolis, U.S.Carpet Pam Casale6–0, 6–3
Loss5–5Dec 1985Tokyo, JapanCarpet Manuela Maleeva6–7, 6–3, 5–7

Doubles: 6 (3–3)

OutcomeNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Runner-up1.October 10, 1983TampaHard Wendy White Martina Navratilova
Pam Shriver
0–6, 1–6
Winner1.November 7, 1983Deerfield BeachHard Wendy White Pam Casale
Mary-Lou Piatek
6–1, 3–6, 6–3
Runner-up2.January 28, 1985Marco IslandHard Camille Benjamin Kathy Jordan
Elizabeth Smylie
3–6, 3–6
Winner2.May 20, 1985LuganoClay Helena Suková Bettina Bunge
Eva Pfaff
6–2, 6–4
Winner3.October 7, 1985IndianapolisCarpet Mary-Lou Piatek :fr:Penny Barg|Penny Barg
Sandy Collins
6–1, 6–0
Runner-up3.February 24, 1986OaklandCarpet Helena Suková Hana Mandlíková
Wendy Turnbull
6–7, 1–6

Grand Slam singles performance timeline

Tournament1981198219831984198519861987Career SR
Australian Open2RAAAANHA0 / 1
French Open1R3R1RA4RAA0 / 4
WimbledonAAAA2RAA0 / 1
US OpenAQF4R4R3RQF1R0 / 6
SR0 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 10 / 30 / 10 / 10 / 12
Year End Ranking351819131013461-