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| nickname = | nickname =
| country = {{FRA}} | country = {{FRA}}
| residence = ], ] | residence = ], U.S.
| datebirth = {{birth date and age|1975|01|15}} | datebirth = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|01|15}}
| placebirth = ], ], ] | placebirth = ], ], Canada
| height = {{height|m=1.78}} | height = {{height|m=1.78}}
| weight = {{convert|68|kg|lb st|abbr=on|lk=on}} | weight = {{convert|68|kg|lb st|abbr=on|lk=on}}
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| retired = ''Active'' | retired = ''Active''
| plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
| careerprizemoney = ]9,793,119 | careerprizemoney = $ 9,793,119
| singlesrecord = 511–237 | singlesrecord = 511–237
| singlestitles = 18 WTA, 2 ITF | singlestitles = 18 WTA, 2 ITF
| highestsinglesranking = No. 3 (] ]) | highestsinglesranking = No. 3 (January 30, 1995)
| AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' (1995) | AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' (1995)
| FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' (2000) | FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' (2000)
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| doublesrecord = 197–116 | doublesrecord = 197–116
| doublestitles = 10 WTA, 4 ITF | doublestitles = 10 WTA, 4 ITF
| highestdoublesranking = No. 3 (] ]) | highestdoublesranking = No. 3 (July 10, 2000)
| updated = ] ] | updated = January 15, 2007
}} }}


'''Mary Pierce''' (born ] ], in ], ]) is a ] professional playing on the ]. She is a ] who plays for ] in team competitions and the ]. '''Mary Pierce''' (born January 15, 1975, in ], Canada) is a ] professional playing on the ]. She is a ] who plays for France in team competitions and the ].


Pierce has won four ] titles, two in singles and two in doubles. She has reached six Grand Slam singles finals, most recently at the ] and ] in 2005. Her Grand Slam singles titles came at the ] and the ]. She won the 2005 ] ] and has reached three Grand Slam doubles finals. She has won 18 ] singles titles and 10 WTA doubles titles, including five ] singles events. She also has twice reached the final of the season-ending ], most recently in 2005. Pierce has won four ] titles, two in singles and two in doubles. She has reached six Grand Slam singles finals, most recently at the ] and ] in 2005. Her Grand Slam singles titles came at the ] and the ]. She won the 2005 ] ] and has reached three Grand Slam doubles finals. She has won 18 ] singles titles and 10 WTA doubles titles, including five ] singles events. She also has twice reached the final of the season-ending ], most recently in 2005.


==Personal== ==Personal==


Pierce was born in Montreal while her ] mother and ] father were on a trip to the city. She was raised in the United States and lives in ]. Thus, she has had or has been eligible for United States, Canadian, and French citizenship, and she has represented France in international tennis competitions many times. She speaks ] and ] fluently.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Pierce was born in Montreal while her French mother and American father were on a trip to the city. She was raised in the United States and lives in ]. Thus, she has had or has been eligible for United States, Canadian, and French citizenship, and she has represented France in international tennis competitions many times. She speaks English and French fluently.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


==Early career== ==Early career==
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In 1997, Pierce was back in the Australian Open singles final, where she lost to ] in straight sets. She also lost in that year's ] final to ]. Pierce was a member of the French team that won the 1997 ], and her only title that season was the ], defeating ] in the final. Pierce won the Comeback Player of the Year award for ending the year at World No. 7 after starting at World No. 21. In 1997, Pierce was back in the Australian Open singles final, where she lost to ] in straight sets. She also lost in that year's ] final to ]. Pierce was a member of the French team that won the 1997 ], and her only title that season was the ], defeating ] in the final. Pierce won the Comeback Player of the Year award for ending the year at World No. 7 after starting at World No. 21.


Pierce won four titles in 1998: the ] in ], the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, the ] in ], and the ]. In addition, she was the runner-up at the ] in ]. Pierce won four titles in 1998: the ] in Paris, the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, the ] in Moscow, and the ]. In addition, she was the runner-up at the ] in ].


Pierce won her second Grand Slam singles title and her first Grand Slam doubles title at the ]. In the singles final, she defeated Martinez to become the first French woman to claim the title since ] in 1967. And she partnered Hingis to win the women's doubles crown. (The pair also were the runners-up at the Australian Open earlier that year.) Pierce won her second Grand Slam singles title and her first Grand Slam doubles title at the ]. In the singles final, she defeated Martinez to become the first French woman to claim the title since ] in 1967. And she partnered Hingis to win the women's doubles crown. (The pair also were the runners-up at the Australian Open earlier that year.)
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==2004 - 2005== ==2004 - 2005==


After a few quiet years on the tour, Pierce won her first title since the ] at the ] in ], the ] in 2004. At the ] in ], Pierce defeated sixth-seeded ] in the third round 6-4, 6-4 before losing to top-seeded ] of ] in the quarterfinals by the same score. At the ] later in the year, Pierce defeated the new ] champion ]. After a few quiet years on the tour, Pierce won her first title since the ] at the ] in ], the Netherlands in 2004. At the ] in ], Pierce defeated sixth-seeded ] in the third round 6-4, 6-4 before losing to top-seeded ] of Belgium in the quarterfinals by the same score. At the ] later in the year, Pierce defeated the new ] champion ].


She then burst back into the top ranks of the women's game in 2005. At the ], she reached the singles final for the third time, where she lost to Henin 6–1, 6–1. She then reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time since 1996. Pierce faced Venus Williams in that quarterfinal and lost the match after a second set tiebreak consisting of 22 points. Pierce also won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, partnering ]. In August, Pierce won her first singles title of the year at the ] in ], defeating ] in the final. She then burst back into the top ranks of the women's game in 2005. At the ], she reached the singles final for the third time, where she lost to Henin 6–1, 6–1. She then reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time since 1996. Pierce faced Venus Williams in that quarterfinal and lost the match after a second set tiebreak consisting of 22 points. Pierce also won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, partnering ]. In August, Pierce won her first singles title of the year at the ] in ], defeating ] in the final.


Pierce then reached the final of the ]. In the fourth round, she defeated Henin for the first time in her career 6–3, 6–4. In the quarterfinals, Pierce defeated third seeded ] 6–4, 6–1 to reach her first ] semifinal. After the victory, Pierce remarked, "I'm 30 and I have been on the tour for 17 years and there are still firsts for me. That's pretty amazing." She reached the final by defeating ] 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 in the semifinals. In the final, she lost to ] 6–3, 6–1. Pierce then reached the final of the ]. In the fourth round, she defeated Henin for the first time in her career 6–3, 6–4. In the quarterfinals, Pierce defeated third seeded ] 6–4, 6–1 to reach her first ] semifinal. After the victory, Pierce remarked, "I'm 30 and I have been on the tour for 17 years and there are still firsts for me. That's pretty amazing." She reached the final by defeating ] 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 in the semifinals. In the final, she lost to ] 6–3, 6–1.


After the US Open, Pierce won her second title of 2005 at the ] in ]. In her quarterfinal match against Russian ], Pierce came back from 0–6 in the third set tiebreak (6 match points down) and won 8 consecutive points to reach the semifinals. The final score of the match was 7–5, 4–6, 7–6(6). After the US Open, Pierce won her second title of 2005 at the ] in Moscow. In her quarterfinal match against Russian ], Pierce came back from 0–6 in the third set tiebreak (6 match points down) and won 8 consecutive points to reach the semifinals. The final score of the match was 7–5, 4–6, 7–6(6).


The win in Moscow secured her spot at the year-ending ] in ] where the top eight singles players in the world competed for the winner's prize of one million dollars. In round-robin play with her assigned group of four players, she won all three matches: against Clijsters in three sets; Mauresmo in three sets; and Dementieva in straight sets. In the semifinals, Pierce beat top-ranked ] 7–6(5), 7–6(6); however, Pierce lost the final to Mauresmo 5–7, 7–6(3), 6–4 in just over three hours. The win in Moscow secured her spot at the year-ending ] in Los Angeles where the top eight singles players in the world competed for the winner's prize of one million dollars. In round-robin play with her assigned group of four players, she won all three matches: against Clijsters in three sets; Mauresmo in three sets; and Dementieva in straight sets. In the semifinals, Pierce beat top-ranked ] 7–6(5), 7–6(6); however, Pierce lost the final to Mauresmo 5–7, 7–6(3), 6–4 in just over three hours.


Pierce's year-end ranking was World No. 5, a considerable improvement on her year-beginning ranking of World No. 29. This matched her career-best performances of 1994, 1995, and 1999, and she was less than 200 points behind Sharapova for World No. 4 and less than 300 points behind Mauresmo for World No. 3. Pierce's return to form in 2005 was one of the most surprising tennis stories of the year. Her successful performance in 2005 also encouraged the former World No. 1 player, ], to return to the game. Pierce's year-end ranking was World No. 5, a considerable improvement on her year-beginning ranking of World No. 29. This matched her career-best performances of 1994, 1995, and 1999, and she was less than 200 points behind Sharapova for World No. 4 and less than 300 points behind Mauresmo for World No. 3. Pierce's return to form in 2005 was one of the most surprising tennis stories of the year. Her successful performance in 2005 also encouraged the former World No. 1 player, ], to return to the game.
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==2006== ==2006==


Pierce trained hard in the off-season in a bid to win major titles in 2006. Her first tournament of the year was the ]. She defeated ] of ] 6–1, 6–1 in the first round before losing to ] of the ] in the second round 6–3, 7–5. The loss denied her a third-round match with ]. Pierce trained hard in the off-season in a bid to win major titles in 2006. Her first tournament of the year was the ]. She defeated ] of Australia 6–1, 6–1 in the first round before losing to ] of the Czech Republic in the second round 6–3, 7–5. The loss denied her a third-round match with ].


Pierce reached the final of her next tournament, the ] in Paris, where she lost to compatriot ] in straight sets. Pierce reached the final of her next tournament, the ] in Paris, where she lost to compatriot ] in straight sets.
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After spending six months away from the tour, Pierce began her comeback at the ] in ], where she was the 2005 champion. She lost in the quarterfinals to ] 6–2, 6–3. After spending six months away from the tour, Pierce began her comeback at the ] in ], where she was the 2005 champion. She lost in the quarterfinals to ] 6–2, 6–3.


In just her second tournament in over six months, Pierce played at the ]. Pierce lost to ], the 24th seed from China, in the third round 4–6, 6–0, 6–0. In just her second tournament in over six months, Pierce played at the ]. Pierce lost to ], the 24th seed from China, in the third round 4–6, 6–0, 6–0.


Pierce then lost in the first round of the next three tournaments she played. She was defeated at the ] by ] 6–3, 6–3, who went on to win the title. ] defeated Pierce in ] 7–6(7), 6–3. And ] defeated Pierce at the ] 6–3, 7–5. Pierce then lost in the first round of the next three tournaments she played. She was defeated at the ] by ] 6–3, 6–3, who went on to win the title. ] defeated Pierce in ] 7–6(7), 6–3. And ] defeated Pierce at the ] 6–3, 7–5.
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Pierce made an appearance at the ] as an ] at ] was named in her honor - ''Allée Mary Pierce''. She also helped with the social side to the French Open, taking part in the post match ceremony after the women's final. Pierce made an appearance at the ] as an ] at ] was named in her honor - ''Allée Mary Pierce''. She also helped with the social side to the French Open, taking part in the post match ceremony after the women's final.


Pierce was named to the French Olympic team for the 2008 ]. On ] ], however, Pierce withdrew from the Olympics because of injury.<ref></ref> Pierce was named to the French Olympic team for the 2008 ]. On July 21, 2008, however, Pierce withdrew from the Olympics because of injury.<ref></ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
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|width="100"|'''Score in Final |width="100"|'''Score in Final
|-bgcolor="#EBC2AF" |-bgcolor="#EBC2AF"
| 1994 || ] || {{flagicon|ESP}} ] || 6–4, 6–4 | 1994 || ]||{{flagicon|ESP}} ]|| 6–4, 6–4
|-bgcolor="#CCCCFF" |-bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| 1997 || ] || {{flagicon|SUI}} ] || 6–2, 6–2 | 1997 || ] ||{{flagicon|SUI}} ]|| 6–2, 6–2
|-bgcolor="#EBC2AF" |-bgcolor="#EBC2AF"
| 2005 || French Open <small>(2) || {{flagicon|BEL}} ] || 6–1, 6–1 | 2005 || French Open <small>(2)|| {{flagicon|BEL}} ] || 6–1, 6–1
|-bgcolor="#FFFFCC" |-bgcolor="#FFFFCC"
| 2005 || ] || {{flagicon|BEL}} ] || 6–3, 6–1 | 2005 || ] || {{flagicon|BEL}} ]|| 6–3, 6–1
|} |}


==Grand Slam doubles finals== ==Grand Slam doubles finals==
===Wins (2)=== ===Wins (2)===
{|
{|class="wikitable"
|- |-
|width="50"|'''Year |width="50"|'''Year
|width="150"|'''Championship |width="150"|'''Championship
|width="150"|'''Event |width="150"|'''Event
|width="175"|'''Partner |width="175"|'''Partnering
|width="175"|'''Opponents in Final |width="175"|'''Opponents in Final
|width="100"|'''Score in Final |width="100"|'''Score/Final
|-bgcolor="#EBC2AF" |-bgcolor="#EBC2AF"
| 2000 || ] || Women's doubles || {{flagicon|SUI}} ] || {{flagicon|ESP}} ]<br>{{flagicon|ARG}} ] || 6–2, 6–4 |2000 ||]|| Women's doubles||{{flagicon|SUI}} ]||{{flagicon|ESP}} ]<br>{{flagicon|ARG}} ]|| 6–2, 6–4
|-bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |-bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2005 || ] || Mixed doubles || {{flagicon|IND}} ] || {{flagicon|AUS}} ]<br>{{flagicon|UKR}} ] || 6–4, 6–2 |2005 ||]|| Mixed doubles||{{flagicon|IND}} ]||{{flagicon|AUS}} ]<br>{{flagicon|UKR}} ]|| 6–4, 6–2
|} |}



===Runner-up (1)=== ===Runner-up (1)===
{|
{|class="wikitable"
|- |-
|width="50"|'''Year |width="50"|'''Year
|width="150"|'''Championship |width="150"|'''Championship
|width="150"|'''Event |width="150"|'''Event
|width="175"|'''Partner |width="175"|'''Partnering
|width="175"|'''Opponents in Final |width="175"|'''Opponents in Final
|width="100"|'''Score in Final |width="100"|'''Score/Final
|-bgcolor="#CCCCFF" |-bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| 2000 || ] || Women's Doubles || {{flagicon|SUI}} ] || {{flagicon|USA}} ]<br>{{flagicon|AUS}} ] || 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 |2000 ||]|| Women's Doubles||{{flagicon|SUI}} ]|| {{flagicon|USA}} ]<br>{{flagicon|AUS}} ] || 6–4, 5–7, 6–4
|} |}


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| WTA Tour (11) | WTA Tour (11)
|} |}
{| class="sortable wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#efefef" |- bgcolor="#efefef"
|'''No.''' |'''No.'''
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|'''Tournament''' |'''Tournament'''
|'''Surface''' |'''Surface'''
|'''Opponent in Final''' |'''Opponent in the final'''
|'''Score in Final''' |'''Score'''
|- |-
| 1. | 1.
| ] ] | July 14, 1991
| ], ] | ], Italy
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|ITA}} ] | {{flagicon|ITA}} ]
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|- |-
| 2. | 2.
| ] ] | February 23, 1992
| ], Italy | ], Italy
| Carpet | Carpet
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|- |-
| 3. | 3.
| ] ] | July 12, 1992
| Palermo, Italy | Palermo, Italy
| Clay | Clay
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|- |-
| 4. | 4.
| ] ] | November 1, 1992
| ], ] | ], ]
| Hard | Hard
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|- |-
| 5. | 5.
| ] ] | October 17, 1993
| ], ] | ], Germany
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|BLR}} ] | {{flagicon|BLR}} ]
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|- |-
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|6. | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|6.
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|] ] | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|January 29, 1995
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|], ] | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|], ], Australia
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|Hard | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|Hard
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|{{flagicon|ESP}} ] | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
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|- |-
| 7. | 7.
| ] ] | September 24, 1995
| ], ] | ], Japan
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | {{flagicon|ESP}} Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 8. | 8.
| ] ] | May 11, 1997
| ], ] | ], Rome, Italy
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|ESP}} ] | {{flagicon|ESP}} ]
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|- |-
| 9. | 9.
| ] ] | February 15, 1998
| ], ] | ], France
| Carpet | Carpet
| {{flagicon|BEL}} ] | {{flagicon|BEL}} ]
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|- |-
| 10. | 10.
| ] ] | April 12, 1998
| ], ] | ], U.S.
| Green Clay | Green Clay
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Conchita Martinez | {{flagicon|ESP}} Conchita Martinez
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 11. | 11.
| ] ] | October 25, 1998
| ], ] | ], Russia
| Carpet | Carpet
| {{flagicon|USA}} ] | {{flagicon|USA}} ]
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|- |-
| 12. | 12.
| ] ] | November 1, 1998
| ], ] | ], ]
| Carpet | Carpet
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|- |-
| 13. | 13.
| ] ] | October 31, 1999
| ], ] | ], Austria
| Carpet | Carpet
| {{flagicon|FRA}} ] | {{flagicon|FRA}} ]
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 14. | 14.
| ] ] | April 23, 2000
| ], U.S. | ], USA
| Green Clay | Green Clay
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | {{flagicon|ESP}} Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
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|- |-
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|15. | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|15.
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|] ] | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|June 11, 2000
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|], ] | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|], Paris, France
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|Clay | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|Clay
| bgcolor="e5d1cb"|{{flagicon|ESP}} Conchita Martinez | bgcolor="e5d1cb"|{{flagicon|ESP}} Conchita Martinez
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|- |-
| 16. | 16.
| ] ] | June 19, 2004
| ], ] | ], Netherlands
| Grass | Grass
| {{flagicon|CZE}} ] | {{flagicon|CZE}} ]
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 17. | 17.
| ] ] | August 17, 2005
| ], U.S. | ], USA
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|JPN}} ] | {{flagicon|JPN}} ]
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 18. | 18.
| ] ] | October 16, 2005
| Moscow, Russia | Moscow, Russia
| Carpet | Carpet
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| WTA Tour (6) | WTA Tour (6)
|} |}
{| class="sortable wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee" |- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''No.''' |'''No.'''
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|'''Surface''' |'''Surface'''
|'''Partner''' |'''Partner'''
|'''Opponents in Final''' |'''Opponents in the final'''
|'''Score in Final''' |'''Score'''
|- |-
| 1. | 1.
| ] ] | July 8, 1991
| ], ] | ], Italy
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|CZE}} ] | {{flagicon|CZE}} ]
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|- |-
| 2. | 2.
| ] ] | September 16, 1996
| ] | Tokyo, Japan
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|RSA}} ] | {{flagicon|RSA}} ]
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|- |-
| 3. | 3.
| ] ] | April 28, 1997
| ], ] | ], Germany
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|GER}} ] | {{flagicon|GER}} ]
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|- |-
| 4. | 4.
| ] ] | April 6, 1998
| ], ] | ], U.S.
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|USA}} ] | {{flagicon|USA}} ]
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 5. | 5.
| ] ] | October 19, 1998
| ], ] | ], Russia
| Carpet | Carpet
| {{flagicon|BLR}} ] | {{flagicon|BLR}} ]
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 6. | 6.
| ] ] | August 16, 1999
| ], ] | ], Canada
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|CZE}} ] | {{flagicon|CZE}} ]
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|- |-
| 7. | 7.
| ] ] | November 1, 1999
| ], Germany | ], Germany
| Carpet | Carpet
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|- bgcolor="#dfe2e9" |- bgcolor="#dfe2e9"
| 8. | 8.
| ] ] | January 31, 2000
| ], Japan | Tokyo, Japan
| Carpet | Carpet
| {{flagicon|SUI}} ] | {{flagicon|SUI}} ]
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|- bgcolor="e5d1cb" |- bgcolor="e5d1cb"
| 9. | 9.
| ] ] | May 29, 2000
| ] | ], France
| Clay | Clay
| {{flagicon|SUI}} Martina Hingis | {{flagicon|SUI}} Martina Hingis
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|- |-
| 10. | 10.
| ] ] | August 3, 2003
| ] | Los Angeles, USA
| Hard | Hard
| {{flagicon|AUS}} Rennae Stubbs | {{flagicon|AUS}} Rennae Stubbs
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{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#efefef" |- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Tournament !! 1990 !! 1991 !! 1992 !! 1993 !! 1994 !! 1995 !! 1996 !! 1997 !! 1998 !! 1999 !! 2000 !! 2001 !! 2002 !! 2003 !! 2004 !! 2005 !! 2006 !! 2007 !! 2008 !! Career SR ! Tournament !! 1990 !! 1991 !! 1992 !! 1993 !! 1994 !! 1995 !! 1996 !! 1997 !! 1998 !! 1999 !! 2000 !! 2001 !! 2002 !! 2003 !! 2004 !! 2005 !! 2006 !! 2007 !! Career SR
|- |-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | ] |style="background:#EFEFEF;" | ]
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|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R
|align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|'''1 / 13''' |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|'''1 / 13'''
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|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R
|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;" | F |align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;" | F
|align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
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|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R
|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF |align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF
|align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''0 / 10''' |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''0 / 10'''
|- |-
|style="background:#EFEFEF;" | ] |style="background:#EFEFEF;" | ]
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R
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|align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;" | F |align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;" | F
|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R |align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R
|align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''0 / 14''' |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''0 / 14'''
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|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 4 |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 4
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 2 |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 2
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 0
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 0 |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;"|0 / 0
|align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''2 / 52''' |align="center" style="background:#EFEFEF;" | '''2 / 52'''
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|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" |A |align="center" |A
|align="center" |
| align="center" | '''0 / 7''' | align="center" | '''0 / 7'''
|} |}

Revision as of 09:01, 11 October 2008

Mary Pierce
Country (sports) France
ResidenceSarasota, Florida, U.S.
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Turned proMarch 1989
RetiredActive
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$ 9,793,119
Singles
Career record511–237
Career titles18 WTA, 2 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 3 (January 30, 1995)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenW (1995)
French OpenW (2000)
WimbledonQF (1996, 2005)
US OpenF (2005)
Doubles
Career record197–116
Career titles10 WTA, 4 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 3 (July 10, 2000)
Last updated on: January 15, 2007.

Mary Pierce (born January 15, 1975, in Montreal, Canada) is a tennis professional playing on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour. She is a French-American who plays for France in team competitions and the Olympics.

Pierce has won four Grand Slam titles, two in singles and two in doubles. She has reached six Grand Slam singles finals, most recently at the US Open and French Open in 2005. Her Grand Slam singles titles came at the 2000 French Open and the 1995 Australian Open. She won the 2005 Wimbledon mixed doubles championship and has reached three Grand Slam doubles finals. She has won 18 WTA singles titles and 10 WTA doubles titles, including five Tier I singles events. She also has twice reached the final of the season-ending WTA Tour Championships, most recently in 2005.

Personal

Pierce was born in Montreal while her French mother and American father were on a trip to the city. She was raised in the United States and lives in Sarasota, Florida. Thus, she has had or has been eligible for United States, Canadian, and French citizenship, and she has represented France in international tennis competitions many times. She speaks English and French fluently.

Early career

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Pierce was introduced to tennis at the age of 10 by her father Jim Pierce. Just two years later, she won the U.S. national 12-and-under junior title. In 1989, she became the youngest American player to make her debut on the professional tour, aged 14 years and 2 months. (This record was broken the following year by Jennifer Capriati.) She quickly gained a reputation for being one of the all-time hardest hitters on the women's circuit.

During her first few years on the tour, Pierce was known for the behavior of her father, more so than her performances on court. Jim Pierce, who also coached Mary, often shouted abuse at her opponents during matches. On one occasion when he was sitting in the stands, he notoriously screamed, "Mary, kill the bitch!" He was also reportedly often verbally and physically abusive to Mary during practice sessions and after defeats. Jim was ejected from the French Open in 1993 after he punched a spectator, following which he was banned from all Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour events until 1998. The incident also prompted the WTA to pass a new rule (commonly referred to as the "Jim Pierce Rule") which prohibits abusive conduct on the part of players, coaches, and relatives. Mary dropped her father as her coach in 1993 and took out a restraining order against him. A few weeks later, he got into a fight with her bodyguard at a hotel where she was staying. He then sued her claiming that he had been promised 25% of her earnings as a tennis player, and she paid him US$500,000 to drop the suit and to leave her alone. She withdrew from the Wimbledon tournament in 1994 after a British tabloid newspaper threatened to smuggle her father into the grounds.

Playing style

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Pierce's game has always been built around her heavy groundstrokes, particularly her cleanly struck semi-western forehand. She also has a strong two-handed backhand and powerful serve, including a kick second serve that is among the best in the game. Pierce and Monica Seles were among the first female players to regularly hit drive volleys.

Pierce has been noted on the women's tour for taking her time while playing, occasionally being given time violation warnings. Before every serve and between points, Pierce follows a painstaking ritual of fixing her hair and dress.

1994 - 2003

In 1994, Pierce reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open. She was the first player ever to reach this tournament's fourth round while dropping only two games. She conceded just 10 games during her route to the final, which included a 6–2, 6–2 defeat of World No. 1 Steffi Graf in the semifinals. In the final, however, Pierce lost to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in straight sets.

In 1995, Pierce won her first Grand Slam title by defeating Sánchez-Vicario in the final of the Australian Open. She reached her career-high singles ranking of World No. 3 that year. Pierce also won the Japan Open, defeating Sanchez-Vicario in the final.

In 1996, Pierce suffered a series of setbacks, including her split with Nick Bollettieri after failing to defend her title at the Australian Open. Aside from a runner-up finish at the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida and a semifinal finish in Hamburg, the highlight of the year for Pierce was her first appearance in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

In 1997, Pierce was back in the Australian Open singles final, where she lost to Martina Hingis in straight sets. She also lost in that year's WTA Tour Championships final to Jana Novotná. Pierce was a member of the French team that won the 1997 Fed Cup, and her only title that season was the Italian Open, defeating Conchita Martinez in the final. Pierce won the Comeback Player of the Year award for ending the year at World No. 7 after starting at World No. 21.

Pierce won four titles in 1998: the Open Gaz de France in Paris, the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, and the Fortis Championships Luxembourg. In addition, she was the runner-up at the Acura Classic in San Diego.

Pierce won her second Grand Slam singles title and her first Grand Slam doubles title at the 2000 French Open. In the singles final, she defeated Martinez to become the first French woman to claim the title since Francoise Durr in 1967. And she partnered Hingis to win the women's doubles crown. (The pair also were the runners-up at the Australian Open earlier that year.)

Pierce helped France win the Fed Cup for a second time in 2003.

2004 - 2005

After a few quiet years on the tour, Pierce won her first title since the 2000 French Open at the Ordina Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands in 2004. At the Olympics in Athens, Pierce defeated sixth-seeded Venus Williams in the third round 6-4, 6-4 before losing to top-seeded Justine Henin of Belgium in the quarterfinals by the same score. At the US Open later in the year, Pierce defeated the new Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova.

She then burst back into the top ranks of the women's game in 2005. At the French Open, she reached the singles final for the third time, where she lost to Henin 6–1, 6–1. She then reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time since 1996. Pierce faced Venus Williams in that quarterfinal and lost the match after a second set tiebreak consisting of 22 points. Pierce also won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, partnering Mahesh Bhupathi. In August, Pierce won her first singles title of the year at the Acura Classic in San Diego, defeating Ai Sugiyama in the final.

Pierce then reached the final of the 2005 US Open. In the fourth round, she defeated Henin for the first time in her career 6–3, 6–4. In the quarterfinals, Pierce defeated third seeded Amélie Mauresmo 6–4, 6–1 to reach her first US Open semifinal. After the victory, Pierce remarked, "I'm 30 and I have been on the tour for 17 years and there are still firsts for me. That's pretty amazing." She reached the final by defeating Elena Dementieva 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 in the semifinals. In the final, she lost to Kim Clijsters 6–3, 6–1.

After the US Open, Pierce won her second title of 2005 at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. In her quarterfinal match against Russian Elena Likhovtseva, Pierce came back from 0–6 in the third set tiebreak (6 match points down) and won 8 consecutive points to reach the semifinals. The final score of the match was 7–5, 4–6, 7–6(6).

The win in Moscow secured her spot at the year-ending WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles where the top eight singles players in the world competed for the winner's prize of one million dollars. In round-robin play with her assigned group of four players, she won all three matches: against Clijsters in three sets; Mauresmo in three sets; and Dementieva in straight sets. In the semifinals, Pierce beat top-ranked Lindsay Davenport 7–6(5), 7–6(6); however, Pierce lost the final to Mauresmo 5–7, 7–6(3), 6–4 in just over three hours.

Pierce's year-end ranking was World No. 5, a considerable improvement on her year-beginning ranking of World No. 29. This matched her career-best performances of 1994, 1995, and 1999, and she was less than 200 points behind Sharapova for World No. 4 and less than 300 points behind Mauresmo for World No. 3. Pierce's return to form in 2005 was one of the most surprising tennis stories of the year. Her successful performance in 2005 also encouraged the former World No. 1 player, Martina Hingis, to return to the game.

2006

Pierce trained hard in the off-season in a bid to win major titles in 2006. Her first tournament of the year was the Australian Open. She defeated Nicole Pratt of Australia 6–1, 6–1 in the first round before losing to Iveta Benešová of the Czech Republic in the second round 6–3, 7–5. The loss denied her a third-round match with Martina Hingis.

Pierce reached the final of her next tournament, the Gaz de France in Paris, where she lost to compatriot Amélie Mauresmo in straight sets.

Pierce did not play again until August because of foot and groin injuries, withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon.

After spending six months away from the tour, Pierce began her comeback at the Acura Classic in San Diego, where she was the 2005 champion. She lost in the quarterfinals to Maria Sharapova 6–2, 6–3.

In just her second tournament in over six months, Pierce played at the US Open. Pierce lost to Na Li, the 24th seed from China, in the third round 4–6, 6–0, 6–0.

Pierce then lost in the first round of the next three tournaments she played. She was defeated at the Fortis Championships Luxembourg by Alona Bondarenko 6–3, 6–3, who went on to win the title. Jelena Janković defeated Pierce in Stuttgart 7–6(7), 6–3. And Katarina Srebotnik defeated Pierce at the Zurich Open 6–3, 7–5.

Knee injury and return to tour

At the Generali Ladies Linz tournament in October 2006, Pierce defeated Ai Sugiyama in the first round and was leading Vera Zvonareva 6–4, 6–5 in the second round when Pierce ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. She had held three match points before the injury.

Pierce underwent a successful operation in December 2006 and missed all of 2007. Currently rehabilitating her knee in Vail, Colorado, she expects to return to the tour in 2008. Not ready to retire, she stated that she still has things she would like to accomplish.

Pierce made an appearance at the 2007 French Open as an avenue at Roland Garros was named in her honor - Allée Mary Pierce. She also helped with the social side to the French Open, taking part in the post match ceremony after the women's final.

Pierce was named to the French Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On July 21, 2008, however, Pierce withdrew from the Olympics because of injury.

Personal life

Following her split from her father in 1993, Pierce was coached by Nick Bollettieri, whose tennis academy she had briefly attended as a teenager in 1988. Her brother David was also Pierce's regular coach until 2006. She has recently become reconciled with father Jim and occasionally does practice sessions with him.

Grand Slam singles finals

Wins (2)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1995 Australian Open Spain Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6–3, 6–2
2000 French Open Spain Conchita Martinez 6–2, 7–5

Runner-ups (4)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1994 French Open Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–4, 6–4
1997 Australian Open Switzerland Martina Hingis 6–2, 6–2
2005 French Open (2) Belgium Justine Henin 6–1, 6–1
2005 US Open Belgium Kim Clijsters 6–3, 6–1

Grand Slam doubles finals

Wins (2)

Year Championship Event Partnering Opponents in Final Score/Final
2000 French Open Women's doubles Switzerland Martina Hingis Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual
Argentina Paola Suarez		 6–2, 6–4
2005 Wimbledon Mixed doubles India Mahesh Bhupathi Australia Paul Hanley
Ukraine Tatiana Perebiynis		 6–4, 6–2


Runner-up (1)

Year Championship Event Partnering Opponents in Final Score/Final
2000 Australian Open Women's Doubles Switzerland Martina Hingis United States Lisa Raymond
Australia Rennae Stubbs		 6–4, 5–7, 6–4

Tournament wins

Singles (18)

Legend
Grand Slam (2)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I Event (5)
WTA Tour (11)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1. July 14, 1991 Palermo, Italy Clay Italy Sandra Cecchini 6–0, 6–3
2. February 23, 1992 Cesena, Italy Carpet France Catherine Tanvier 6–1, 6–1
3. July 12, 1992 Palermo, Italy Clay Netherlands Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 6–1, 6–7 (3), 6–1
4. November 1, 1992 San Juan, Puerto Rico Hard United States Gigi Fernandez 6–1, 7–5
5. October 17, 1993 Filderstadt, Germany Hard Belarus Natasha Zvereva 6–3, 6–3
6. January 29, 1995 Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia Hard Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–3, 6–2
7. September 24, 1995 Tokyo, Japan Hard Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–3, 6–3
8. May 11, 1997 Italian Open, Rome, Italy Clay Spain Conchita Martinez 6–4, 6–0
9. February 15, 1998 Paris, France Carpet Belgium Dominique van Roost 6–3, 7–5
10. April 12, 1998 Amelia Island, U.S. Green Clay Spain Conchita Martinez 6–7 (8), 6–0, 6–2
11. October 25, 1998 Moscow, Russia Carpet United States Monica Seles 7–6 (2), 6–3
12. November 1, 1998 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Carpet Italy Silvia Farina Elia 6–0, 2–0 retired
13. October 31, 1999 Linz, Austria Carpet France Sandrine Testud 7–6 (2), 6–1
14. April 23, 2000 Hilton Head, USA Green Clay Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–1, 6–0
15. June 11, 2000 French Open, Paris, France Clay Spain Conchita Martinez 6–2, 7–5
16. June 19, 2004 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Grass Czech Republic Klara Koukalova 7–6 (6), 6–2
17. August 17, 2005 San Diego, USA Hard Japan Ai Sugiyama 6–0, 6–3
18. October 16, 2005 Moscow, Russia Carpet Italy Francesca Schiavone 6–4, 6–3

Doubles (10)

Legend
Grand Slam (1)
WTA Championships (0)
Tier I Event (3)
WTA Tour (6)
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents in the final Score
1. July 8, 1991 Palermo, Italy Clay Czech Republic Petra Langrová Italy Laura Garrone &
Argentina Mercedes Paz 		6–3, 6–7(5), 6–3
2. September 16, 1996 Tokyo, Japan Hard South Africa Amanda Coetzer South Korea Sung-Hee Park &
Chinese Taipei Shi-Ting Wang 		6–1, 7–6(5)
3. April 28, 1997 Hamburg, Germany Clay Germany Anke Huber Romania Ruxandra Dragomir &
Croatia Iva Majoli 		2–6, 7–6(1), 6–2
4. April 6, 1998 Amelia Island, U.S. Clay United States Sandra Cacic Austria Barbara Schett &
Switzerland Patty Schnyder 		7–6(5), 4–6, 7–6(5)
5. October 19, 1998 Moscow, Russia Carpet Belarus Natasha Zvereva United States Lisa Raymond &
Australia Rennae Stubbs 		6–3, 6–4
6. August 16, 1999 Toronto, Canada Hard Czech Republic Jana Novotná Latvia Larisa Neiland &
Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 		6–3, 2–6, 6–3
7. November 1, 1999 Leipzig, Germany Carpet Latvia Larisa Neiland Russia Elena Likhovtseva &
Japan Ai Sugiyama 		6–4, 6–3
8. January 31, 2000 Tokyo, Japan Carpet Switzerland Martina Hingis France Alexandra Fusai &
France Nathalie Tauziat 		6–4, 6–1
9. May 29, 2000 French Open, France Clay Switzerland Martina Hingis Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual &
Argentina Paola Suárez 		6–2, 6–4
10. August 3, 2003 Los Angeles, USA Hard Australia Rennae Stubbs Russia Elena Bovina &
Belgium Els Callens 		6–3, 6–3

Major tournament singles performance timeline

Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Career SR
Australian Open A A A QF 4R W 2R F QF QF 4R 3R 1R 2R A 1R 2R A 1 / 13
French Open 2R 3R 4R 4R F 4R 3R 4R 2R 2R W A QF 1R 3R F A A 1 / 15
Wimbledon A A A A A 2R QF 4R 1R 4R 2R A 3R 4R 1R QF A A 0 / 10
US Open A 3R 4R 4R QF 3R A 4R 4R QF 4R A 1R 1R 4R F 3R A 0 / 14
Grand Slam SR 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 3 1 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 1 / 4 0 / 1 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 2 0 / 0 2 / 52
WTA Tour Championships A A A SF SF 4R A F QF QF A A A A A F A A 0 / 7
  • A = did not participate in the tournament
  • SR = the ratio of the number of tournaments won to the number of those tournaments played

WTA Tour career earnings

Year Majors WTA wins Total wins Earnings ($) Money list rank
1991 0 1 1 94,582 53
1992 0 3 3 183,436 26
1993 0 1 1 347,360 19
1994 0 0 0 No information
1995 1 1 2 698,838 7
1996 0 0 0 195,570 34
1997 0 1 1 881,639 7
1998 0 4 4 656,780 11
1999 0 1 1 857,078 6
2000 1 1 2 1,208,018 4
2001 0 0 0 No information
2002 0 0 0 185,095 59
2003 0 0 0 308,146 37
2004 0 1 1 344,481 35
2005 0 2 2 2,525,403 4
2006 0 0 0 144,168 106
Career 2 16 18 9,774,059 15

References

  1. Mary Pierce withdraws from Olympic tennis event with injury, replaced by Pauline Parmentier

External links

Australian Open women's singles champions
Amateur Era
Open Era
French Open women's singles champions
Amateur Era
(national)
Amateur Era
(international)
Open Era
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