You may recognize the name Janet Newberry. She was born in 1953 and once was no. 17 in the world in the WTA. The former Grand Slam semifinalist in singles at Roland Garros (1975, 1977) and 1973 Wimbledon finalist in mixed doubles is working as a volunteer at the Raymond James Super Senior Larry Turville Grand Prix National USTA Level 2 Tournament at St. Petersburg Tennis Center.
Newberry beat Martina Navratilova at US Open in 1976 in the first round 16 64 63. Navratilova said, “I still consider that loss the worst of my career, at least in the way I responded to it on and off the court.” Newberry was reported as saying that she had never seen anyone so distraught, and she helped Navratilova calm down afterwards.
Newberry told me about her matches with Margaret Court and how Billie Jean helped her with some forehand tips before she played Court at Forest Hills.
A national tennis champion at age 16, Janet Newberry (now Janet Newberry Howe), turned pro in 1971 and spent the next 13 years winning silverware around the world. After reaching the mixed doubles final of the Wimbledon Championships in 1973, Janet starred for the Boston Lobsters of the World Team Tennis Association in 1974. Then she won the British Hardcourt Championship and reached the semifinals of the French Open in 1975. Janet won the Italian Open and again reached the semifinals of the French Open in 1977. She later worked for the Women’s Tennis Association based in St. Petersburg and ran successful antique shops on 4th Street as well as Central Avenue.
Highlights of Newberry winning 1977 Italian Open here
I’m still in the consolation draw semis tomorrow so I will try to interview Janet…
Italian Open · Janet Newberry · Roland Garros · Wimbledon · WTA
