Betsy Nagelsen McCormack

 

Mark H. and Betsy Nagelsen McCormack formed a husband and wife team whose vision, dedication and generosity have created countless new opportunities in women's tennis. With their gift of the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center at the College of William & Mary, they have provided an ideal home for the intercollegiate Tennis Association's Women's Hall of Fame and an inspiring site for future champions.

Betsy Nagelsen McCormack has made her mark on women's tennis as an internationally ranked player, setting a standard of sportsmanship for younger champions to emulate. The world's top junior player in 1973 and winner of the prestigious USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Award, Nagelsen became known for her powerful serve-and-volley game, scoring singles victories over Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, among others, along with winning more than 30 major singles and doubles titles. She was a four-time member of the U.S. Wightman Cup Team in 1974, 1985, 1988 and 1989.

Playing in her 20th consecutive main draw at Wimbledon in 1993, Nagelsen won the over-35 women's doubles championship, and went on to win back-to-back titles in the U.S. Open Senior women's doubles in 1993 and 1994. At the same time she continued to contribute her expertise as a regular tennis commentator for American television networks ABC and ESPN, and for Australia's Channel Nine.

In 1975, as Women's World Doubles Champion, she received the largest prize money (with partner Wendy Turnbull) in the history of women's tennis

 

 

With Millie Mest (left)

 

Career Highlights

World's No.1 Ranked Junior Player 1973

U.S. Champion Girls' 16 Singles 1973

U.S. Clay Court Champion Girls' 18 Doubles 1973

Winner of USTA Maureen Connolly Brinker Award 1973

Winner of USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Trophy 1974

U.S. Wightman Cup Team Member 1974, 1985, 1988, 1989 (3-1 record)

Competed on WTA tour for 21 years

Swiss Open Singles Champion 1976; Doubles 1978

Australian Open Doubles Champion 1978, 1980

Swedish Open Doubles Champion 1978

Japan Open Singles Champion 1979; Doubles 1979, 1987

World Mixed Doubles Champion 1982, 1984

Women's World Doubles Champion 1985, receiving the largest prize money (with partner Wendy Turnbull) in the history of women's tennis

European Open Doubles Champion 1986, 1987

Canadian Open Doubles Champion 1990

Wimbledon Over-35 Doubles Champion 1993

U.S. Open Over-35 Doubles Champion 1993, 1994

Television commentator for ABC, ESPN, and Australia's Channel Nine

 

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