TEMPE, Ariz. – For much of the 1980s, a pair of former Stanford Cardinal found themselves at the center of the professional tennis world.
Barbara and Kathy Jordan, who starred at Stanford in the late 1970s while competing in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), parlayed their college dominance into terrific professional careers. From 1980-86, Kathy racked up seven Grand Slam titles, three of which came at Wimbledon, while Barbara won the French Open singles title in 1979 and the mixed doubles title in 1983.
The story of the trailblazing Jordan Sisters is intertwined with the rich history of the Wimbledon Championships, held annually at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in London, England. Kathy was victorious on three occasions at Wimbledon, winning a pair of doubles titles with partners Anne Smith (1980) and Elizabeth Smylie (1985) plus a mixed doubles crown with Ken Flach (1986). Jordan and Smith were a consistent force in London, as the two made three additional appearances in the women’s doubles finals from 1981-84.
More on the ITA Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame
Kathy, who collected victories over players like Chris Evert, Pam Shriver, Tracy Austin and other elite talents, peaked as high as No. 5 in the WTA World Rankings in 1984.
After upsetting the second-seeded Evert in the third round of the 1983 Wimbledon tournament, Kathy told The New York Times, “I knew I was playing well, and I felt determined. I felt even if I was going to lose, I would do well … I mostly came to the realization that if I could control my emotions and temperament, I could beat anybody.”
Barbara played in the women’s singles draw in five Wimbledon tournaments, reaching the Round of 32 twice (1980 and 1983). In 1979, she became the only American woman during the 1970s to win the Australian Open singles title, defeating Sharon Walsh in straight sets in the title match (6-3, 6-3).
The Jordan sisters were stalwarts in the collegiate game in the late 1970s. In addition to Stanford winning the team national championship title in 1978, the Jordans were also the AIAW national doubles champions that spring. The Cardinal bested the USC Trojans in the team final, 5-4, and the Jordans toppled two-time defending champions – and Stanford teammates – Susie Hagey and Diane Morrison for the doubles title.
Kathy was also the 1979 AIAW singles and doubles champion.
The pair was inducted into the ITA Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004 alongside Barbara Scofield Davidson and Belmar Gunderson.
The Jordan sisters have continued to serve the game following their decorated playing careers. Barbara joined the WTA Board of Directors and was later honored with the WTA’s Player Service Award. Kathy was the Secretary and Vice President of the WTA Board of Directors, implementing the association’s first drug-testing policy and enacting the first retirement plan for women’s professional players. She also earned the WTA’s Player Service Award.