Julie Heldman

Julie Heldman

Heldman winning the 1969 Italian Open
Full name	Julie Medalie Heldman
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Santa Monica,California
Born	(1945-12-08)December 8, 1945 Berkeley, California,US
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Turned pro	1970
Retired	1975
Singles
Career record	70–31
Highest ranking	No. 5 (1969 and 1974)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	SF (1974)
French Open	SF (1970)
Wimbledon	QF (1969)
US Open	SF (1974)
Doubles
Career record	39–22
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	SF (1974)
Wimbledon	QF (1969, 1974)
US Open	QF (1968, 1969)
Medal record Maccabiah Games 1969 Israel Singles 1969 Israel Women's doubles 1969 Israel Mixed doubles

Julie Heldman(born December 8, 1945) is an Americantennisplayer who won 22 singles titles. In 1968 and 1969, she was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. She was Canadian National 18 and Under Singles Champion at age 12, U.S. Champion in Girls' 15 Singles and Girls' 18 Singles, Italian Open Singles Champion, Canadian Singles and Doubles Champion, and U.S. Clay Court Doubles Champion. She won three medals at the1968 Mexico City Olympics,and three gold medals at the1969 Maccabiah Games.

In 2018, Heldman published the memoirDriven, A Daughter's Odyssey.The book offers insights into the history of women's tennis in the mid-20th century, including an insider's account of the birth of the tour. Heldman reveals her struggles with the trauma of her mother's emotional abuse and withbipolar disorder.

Early life

Heldman was born inBerkeley, California,the daughter of Julius and Gladys Heldman. Julius was the 1936 USA National Junior Champion. He was a scientist and a leading amateur player, andGladys Heldmanwas the founder, editor, and publisher ofWorld Tennismagazine and the founder of the women's pro tour in 1970. Heldman is Jewish.Her older sister, Carrie, was also a competitive tennis player.

Education

Heldman received her Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University in 1966, and her Juris Doctor from UCLA Law School in 1981,where she was aUCLA Law Revieweditor and was Law School Graduate of the Year, as well as UCLA Graduate Woman of the Year.

Early tennis career

Heldman started playing tennis when she was age 8 and won her first national title (the Canadian 18 and under singles) at age 12, in 1957. She won the US National Girls 15 & under singles title in 1960 and the US National Girls 18 and under title in 1963.

While a student at Stanford University in 1964, Heldman reached the national collegiate singles and doubles finals.

In 1965, Heldman reached the Italian championships semi-finals, won the Canadian National women's singles title, and was the finalist in the US National Clay Courts.

Olympics

In 1968, Heldman won a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal at the Mexico CityOlympic Gameswhen tennis was ademonstration sportAlso in 1968, she won the South American mixed doubles with partnerHerb Fitzgibbon.

Later tennis career

In early 1969, Heldman had two wins over world number oneMargaret Court,one win over U.S. number oneNancy Richey,and two wins over the 1968 U.S. Open championVirginia Wade.

Heldman's most important title was theItalian Open,where she beatAnn Jonesin the semis andKerry Melvillein the final.

During her career, Heldman reached the semifinals of threeGrand Slamsingles championships: the 1970French Open,the 1974Australian Open,and the 1974US Open.

She also won doubles title at the US Women's Clay Court Championships and at the Canadian Open in 1974.

She was one of the Original 9, which was a group of female tennis players who joined theVirginia Slims Circuit,even with the risk of suspension for doing so. The Virginia Slims Circuit eventually led to the creation of theWTA Tour.

Women's pro tour

In 1970, Heldman's mother Gladys established the women's pro tour at the suggestion ofLarry Kingand the sponsorship of Joe Cullman and Virginia Slims. She ran the tour for its first three years. Julie Heldman was one of the Original 9 players who competed in the Houston event, and she played on the tour until she retired in 1975.

Federation Cup

Heldman played on the USFederation Cupteams that captured the world team championship in 1966 and 1969. She also played on the U.S. Federation Cup teams in 1970, 1974, and 1975. She was the captain of the team in 1975. Her career win–loss record in Federation Cup competition was 21–9.

Maccabiah Games

Heldman in 1972

Heldman won threegold medalsat the1969 Maccabiah Gamesin Israel, in singles, doubles (partneringMarilyn Aschner), and mixed doubles.

Other career highlights

• Ranked in the USTA Top 10, 1963–65, 1968–69, 1971–75
• Ranked in the World Top 10, 1969–70, 1973–74
• Virginia Slims Professional Tour, 1971–75
• U.S.Wightman CupTeam Member, 1969–71, 1974; Most Valuable Player, 1969; Team Captain, 1974–75
• U.S. Bonne Bell Cup Team Member, 1973–1974; Most Valuable Player, Team Captain, 1974
• Winner of USTA Service Bowl 1975

Halls of Fame

Heldman was inducted into the:

• Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame, 1978
• National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame,1989
• ITAWomen's Hall of Fame, 1998
• International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame,2001
• USTAEastern Tennis Hall of Fame, 2006

Personal life

After Heldman ended her playing career, she worked as a television commentator and journalist, with CBS, NBC, PBS, and HBO at the US Open and Wimbledon from 1973 to 1978. She published articles about tennis in various magazines, includingWorld TennisandSeventeen.She was the first woman to cover a men's tennis event (the 1976 Avis Challenge Cup).

In 1981, Heldman married Bernie Weiss, and their daughter Amy was born in 1987. In 1985, Heldman became president and co-chair of Signature Eyewear. Heldman retired in 2000 because she suffered a breakdown that lasted nearly 15 years.

Memoir

Heldman's memoirDriven, A Daughter's Odysseywas published in August 2018. She writes “the book became a mainstay of my existence. It has profoundly contributed to my well being.” The book has been praised by former players and critics alike. Tennis historianSteve Flinkcalled it "mandatory reading."Chris Evertcalled it a "must read."

Portrayal in film

Bridey Elliottplays Heldman in the 2017 movieBattle of the Sexes.

WTA Tour finals

Singles 1

Legend
Grand Slam	0
WTA Championships	0
Tier I	0
Tier II	0
Tier III	0
Tier IV & V	0
Olympic Games	0

Result	No.	Date	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	1.	Oct 1968	Mexico City Olympics (Exhibition),Mexico	Clay	Peaches Bartkowicz	3–6, 2–6

Doubles 2 (1–1)

Legend
Grand Slam	0
WTA Championships	0
Tier I	0
Tier II	0
Tier III	0
Tier IV & V	1
Olympic Games	0

Result	No.	Date	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Loss	1.	Oct 1968	Mexico City Olympics (Demonstration),Mexico	Clay	Rosy Darmon	Edda Buding Helga Niessen	3–6, 4–6
Win	2.	Oct 1968	Mexico City Olympics (Exhibition),Mexico	Clay	Rosy Darmon	Peaches Bartkowicz Valerie Ziegenfuss	6–0, 10–8

See also

• List of select Jewish tennis players

External links

• Julie Heldmanat theWomen's Tennis Association
• Julie Heldmanat theInternational Tennis Federation
• Julie Heldmanat theBillie Jean King Cup
• ITA bio
• Jewish Sports Hall of Fame bio (2000)^[usurped]
• Julie HeldmanonInstagram