South Africa's Ilana Kloss was the World's No. 1 ranked Doubles player in 1976, winning the U.S. Open, U.S. Clay Courts, British Hard Courts, Italian Open, German Open and Hilton Head Open (mostly with Linky Boshoff). That same year, she also captured the French Open Mixed Doubles crown (with Kim Warwick).
Her highest WTA (World Tennis Association) Singles ranking was No. 19 in 1979.
The youngest player ever ranked #1 in South Africa, Kloss gained tennis world notoriety by capturing both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open Junior Singles titles before turning professional.
In 1991, Kloss succeeded Billie Jean King as Executive Director
of World Team Tennis (WTT), and was named its CEO/Commissioner
in 2001.
|