Rita Pichardo Explained

Rita Pichardo
Fullname:Rita Maria Pichardo
Birth Date:22 May 1970
Careerprizemoney:$13,063
Singlesrecord:40–31
Singlestitles:2 ITF
Highestsinglesranking:No. 403 (23 March 1992)
Doublesrecord:52–25
Doublestitles:6 ITF
Highestdoublesranking:No. 209 (2 December 1991)

Rita Maria Pichardo (born 22 May 1970) is a Cuban former professional tennis player.

Pichardo, a five-time national champion, represented the Cuba Federation Cup team in 1991 and 1992. She featured in a total of six ties, including a World Group second round matchup against Romania, where she lost her singles rubber in three sets to Irina Spîrlea.

In 1993, while competing in satellite tournaments in Mexico, Pichardo made the decision to defect to the United States and with the help of friends crossed the border at Tijuana on a fake passport.[1]

ITF finals

Singles: 4 (2–2)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1.19 May 1991San Luis Potosí, MexicoHard Monica Mraz3–6, 6–4, 6–0
Loss1.26 May 1991Aguascalientes, MexicoHard Kirsten Dreyer6–7(4), 3–6
Win2.9 March 1992Monterrey, MexicoHard Belkis Rodríguez6–3, 2–6, 6–3
Loss2.3 October 1993Monterrey, MexicoClay Lucila Becerra3–6, 5–7

Doubles: 9 (6–3)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1.4 March 1990León, MexicoClay Yoannis Montesino Hortensia Hernandez
Alicia Meraz
6–0, 6–4
Win2.19 August 1990Pesaro, ItalyHard Iluminada Concepción Diana Chavez
Jolene Watanabe
7–6, 6–2
Loss1.14 October 1990Lima, PeruClay Iluminada Concepción Laura Arraya
Karim Strohmeier
4–6, 6–7
Win3.22 April 1991Villahermosa, MexicoHard Belkis Rodríguez Olga Limon
Isabela Petrov
6–4, 5–7, 7–6(5)
Win4.13 May 1991San Luis Potosí, MexicoHard Belkis Rodríguez Xóchitl Escobedo
Isabela Petrov
6–4, 1–6, 6–3
Loss2.4 November 1991Florianópolis, BrazilClay Belkis Rodríguez Paula Cabezas
Macarena Miranda
6–3, 2–6, 2–6
Win5.11 November 1991Rio de Janeiro, BrazilClay Belkis Rodríguez Paula Cabezas
Macarena Miranda
6–2, 6–3
Loss3.9 March 1992Monterrey, MexicoHard Belkis Rodríguez4–6, 4–6
Win6.20 September 1993Guadalajara, MexicoClay Belkis Rodríguez Adriana Garcia
Yoannis Montesino
6–3, 6–1

Notes and References

  1. News: She Feels Rosy After Defecting Out of the Blue : Cuban, Acting on Impulse, Bolted at a Tennis Tournament in Mexico . . 26 March 1994.