Chris O'Neil (tennis)
| Country (sports) |
 Australia |
|---|---|
| Residence | Australia |
| Born |
19 March 1956 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Turned pro | 1973 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 19–52 |
| Career titles | 1 |
| Highest ranking | No. 80 |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1978) |
| French Open | 2R (1976–1979, 1981) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1974) |
| US Open | 2R (1974, 1978, 1979) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 64–82 |
| Career titles | 1 |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1976, 1978) |
| French Open | QF (1978) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1976) |
| US Open | QF (1978) |
| Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | 2R (1976, 1977) |
| US Open | 2R (1978) |
Christine "Chris" O'Neil (born 19 March 1956) is a former professional female tennis player from Australia.[1]
O'Neil is best known for her singles victory at the 1978 Australian Open, the last Australian female to do so. She also became the first unseeded woman to win the Australian title in the open era.[2] In a relatively weak field she defeated Betsy Nagelsen in the final in straight sets.[3]
This feat went unmatched until Serena Williams, unseeded and ranked World No. 81, won the 2007 Australian Open.[4] O'Neil is also one of a handful of players who have won both the Australian Open Junior (1973) and Senior (1978) Championship title.[2]
In 2007, Christine, along with her brothers Keith and William, have taken over the Morissonnet Sports & Tennis Centre located in Newcastle, NSW in Australia. The centre was subsequently renamed the O'Neil School of Tennis.
Recently, Chris moved to Port Macquarie and currently coaches there while promoting beach tennis.[5][6]
Grand Slam finals
Singles (1 title)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1978 | Australian Open | Grass |  Betsy Nagelsen | 6–3, 7–6(7–3) |
References
- ↑ "Profiles: Chris O'Neil". Tennis Australia. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- 1 2 "Australian Open Tennis". State Government of Victoria. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ↑ "O'Neill, 6-3, 7-6". The Canberra Times. 53, (15,809). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 4 January 1979. p. 22 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Williams wallops Sharapova for eighth Grand Slam". Associated Press. 27 January 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ↑ "O'Neil's School of Tennis". O'Neil's School of Tennis. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ↑ "Chris O'Neil". Australian Tennis Professional Coaches Association. Retrieved 1 April 2010.