- Samantha Smith (tennis)
Samantha Smith (born
November 27 ,1971 inLoughton ,Essex ,England ) was the number 1 ranked British ladiestennis player from 1996-1999, and now commentates on the game, predominantly for theBBC andSky Sports . [http://www.celebritytennis.co.uk/Sam%20Smith%20Bio.pdf Biography and Image at Celebrity Tennis] ] She currently lives inWestcliff-on-Sea , EssexBiography
Samantha, was born in Essex, and educated at
Bancroft's School . She took 3 years out of tennis to attend theUniversity of Exeter where she attained an Upper 2nd class Honours degree inhistory .Tennis career
She competed on the WTA Tour from 1990 – 1992 and 1995 – 2000. Her highest achievement was in reaching the fourth round at the
Wimbledon Championships in1998 where she picked up an ankle injury that meant 2 operations, 4 months in plaster and effectively curtailed her climb up the rankings. She peaked at number 55 in the WTA rankings before the injury ended her career.At the
Australian Open she competed in the first round in 1992 and reached the second round in 1999.
At theFrench Open at Roland Garros she competed in the first round in 1991 and 1999.
At Wimbledon she competed in the first round in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, and reached the fourth round in 1998.
At the U.S. Open she competed in the first round in 1998 and reached the second round in 1997
At the 1992Barcelona Olympics she reached the second round despite illness.Smith won a
silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 1995 Universiade (World University Games ) in Fukuoka, Japan, partnering Paul Robinson. She also reached the quarter finals in singles.She won the ITF tournaments at Nottingham in 1995 (singles and doubles) and Frinton-on-Sea in 2000. She represented
Great Britain in theFederation Cup and European Cup in 1991 and 1996–1999. She was unbeaten in the five singles matches in the 1997 Federation Cup.References
External links
*wta|id=190140|name=Samantha Smith
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