Ann Kiyomura Explained

Ann Kiyomura
Fullname:Ann Kiyomura-Hayashi
Birth Date:22 August 1955
Birth Place:San Mateo, California, USA
Plays:Right-handed
Highestsinglesranking:No. 15 (December 31, 1979)
Australianopenresult:3R (1974)
Wimbledonresult:3R (1974, 1977, 1984)
Usopenresult:4R (1978)
Australianopendoublesresult:F (1980)
Frenchopendoublesresult:3R (1983)
Wimbledondoublesresult:W (1975)
Usopendoublesresult:SF (1976)
Wimbledonmixedresult:QF (1977, 1980)
Usopenmixedresult:QF (1976, 1980)

Ann Kiyomura-Hayashi (born August 22, 1955) is a retired American professional tennis player. She is from San Mateo, California.[1]

Early years

Born in San Mateo, California, Kiyomura was the youngest of four children. Her father Harry was a tennis instructor, while her American born mother Hisayo had become Japan's number ranked player during her two year residency in Japan.[2] At age nine, Kiyomura won the San Mateo County Recreation Department's tennis tournament. She continued to excel at tennis while attending Aragon High School in San Mateo.[2]

Tennis career

Kiyomura won a total of 17 national junior tennis titles, and in 1973, she won the Wimbledon junior singles title, beating Martina Navratilova.[2]

Kiyomura played on the WTA Tour from 1973 to 1984. She played in 11 US Opens, reaching the fourth round in 1978. In 1975, she won the Wimbledon women's doubles title, playing with Kazuko Sawamatsu. She reached the final of the Australian Open women's doubles in 1980. Kiyomura was also a member of the winning team of the Wightman Cup competition in 1976 and 1979.[2]

Kiyomura played in 1981 for the short-lived Oakland Breakers of World Team Tennis (WTT).[3] Other WTT teams of hers included the San Francisco Golden Gaters (1975), Los Angeles Strings (1978 WTT Champions), Hawaii Leis (1974) and Indiana Loves (1976–1977). In 1976, she teamed with Ray Ruffels of the Loves to lead WTT in game-winning percentage in mixed doubles.[4]

Grand Slam finals

Doubles (1 title, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionship SurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win Grass 7–5, 1–6, 7–5
Loss Grass 4–6, 4–6

Notes and References

  1. News: Gaters Ink Ann, Kate. Times. San Mateo, California. 20. April 28, 1975.
  2. Barrows, Kathleen. Wimbeldon Champion Ann Kiyomura Hayashi. Nikkei Family. Fall 2002. 2. 2. 6–8. Japanese Community Youth Council.
  3. Web site: 1981–1982 Oakland Breakers . Crossley . Andy . 6 March 2014 . Fun While It Lasted . 6 April 2014.
  4. Web site: Steve Dimitry's Extinct Sports Leagues: World Team Tennis (1974–1978). Steve Dimitry. 1998. August 11, 2014.