Karen Krantzcke

Karen Krantzcke (1 February 1946 - 1977) was an Australian tennis player who achieved a World Top Ten singles ranking in 1970. [ [http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=128923&pp=15&page=4 TennisForum - Tennis rankings] ] In her short career, she made the quarterfinals or better at each of the four Grand Slam championships. She also assisted Australia to victory in the Federation Cup.

At the age of thirty, Krantczke died from a heart attack while jogging. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915019-5,00.html Time Magazine - Ready, Set, Sweat - 6 January 1977] ]

Early career

Karen Krantzcke was born on 1 February, 1946, [http://www.itftennis.com/womens/players/player.asp?player=20003621 ITF Database] ] in Brisbane, Australia.

A right-handed player, she achieved much junior success including winning the Australian junior singles title in 1966.

Professional career

Krantczke's most successful season came in 1969/70. After reaching the US Open quarterfinals, she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open and then reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. At these tournaments, she had upset such highly-ranked players as Virginia Wade, Francoise Durr, and Judy Tegart Dalton. [http://www.football-heroes.net/tennis-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=430 Sporting Heroes - Karen Krantczke] ]

During this time, she also combined with Dalton to win the Federation Cup for Australia, remaining undefeated in singles and doubles on the German clay. [http://www.fedcup.com/teams/player.asp?player=20003621 Fed Cup profile - Karen Krantczke] ]

After Wimbledon in 1970, 'Kran' took eighteen months off the tour after discovering she was hypoglycemic. [http://www.wtaworld.com/archive/index.php/t-12341.html TennisForum - Kerry Reid] ]

On returning to the tour, she was never able to get back to her best form. She continued to do well in her home Australian title and reached the semifinals for the second time in 1977.

Death

While playing on the Challenger circuit in the USA in 1977, Krantczke suffered a heart attack while jogging. In response to her untimely death, the WTA instituted the Karen Krantczke Sportsmanship Award which is still awarded annually to a female professional tennis player.

A street in the Canberra suburb of Nicholls, Australian Capital Territory, Krantczke Crescent, is named after the tennis star. [http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/di/2000-286/20000831-7661/pdf/2000-286.pdf ACT Legislation 2000] ]

Team results

Krantczke played twice in Federation Cup for Australia; in 1966 and 1970. She also represented Australia in the Bonne Bell Cup in 1974.

Grand Slam women's doubles finals

Wins (1)

A = did not participate in the tournament.

Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December. Krantzcke participated only in the January edition.

References