Texas Tech University Athletics
Garrison-Jackson to Replace Rubin in Tennis Event
June 21, 1999 | Women's Tennis
December 1, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas - Due to a shoulder injury suffered by Chanda Rubin in a recent tournament in Europe, former Wimbledon finalist Zina Garrison-Jackson will face Mary Joe Fernandez in Sunday's women's tennis exhibition match at Lubbock Country Club, Texas Tech Director of Tennis Tim Siegel announced today.
Garrison-Jackson, who has won 14 professional titles on the women's tennis tour, is 16th on the all-time money-winnings list, earning $4,590,816. She won the gold medal in doubles and took the bronze in singles in the 1998 Seoul Olympic Games. Garrison-Jackson became the first African-American woman in more than 30 yards to reach a Grand Slam final, advancing to the Wimbledon final against Martina Navratilova in 1990. She defeated Monica Seles and Steffi Graf to reach the tournament final. Garrison-Jackson also teamed with Sherwood Stewart to win the 1989 Wimbledon mixed doubles championship.
"We are certainly disappointed that Chanda is not able to play against Mary Joe on Sunday," said Siegel. "But, we are thrilled to have one of the top female tennis players in U.S. history in Zina Garrison-Jackson. This exhibition has shaped-up to showcase two of the top players in the history of women's tennis right here in Lubbock."
A native of Houston, Garrison-Jackson has been instrumental in giving back to the community. In 1988 she established the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program to give inner-city kids the chance to build self-esteem and learn about themselves through tennis. She has also been a part of Kid Care, Inc. of Houston, an organization that delivers hot food to homeless and indigent children.
The youngest of six children, Garrison was introduced to tennis in 1973, at age 11, when she met local coach John Wilkerson at Houston's MacGregor Park. By 1981, she was the No. 1 ranked junior player in the world and won both the Junior U.S. Open and Junior Wimbledon. She later earned impressive wins during her career over such world-renowned stars as Chris Evert, Navratilova, Graf and Seles.
Tickets to the event are available through the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office at 806/742-4412. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Texas Tech tennis program.
