Ms Wendy Turnbull MBE

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Wendy, affectionately know as the “Rabbit” because of her court speed, enjoyed success on the WTA Tour as both a singles and doubles player. She reached the final of three Grand Slam Singles Championships and held a spot among the Top 10 singles players in the world from 1977-1985, peaking at No 3. At the 1977 US Open and 1979 French Open, she was runner-up in the singles Championship to Chris Evert and then to Hana Mandlikova at the 1980 Australian Open Singles Final.

Her success in doubles made her one of the best doubles players in the world. Wendy has won 9 Grand Slam Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles Titles at Wimbledon, the French and US Opens. At the 1979 French Open, she reached the final of all three events, (a rare feat) losing the final of the singles but capturing the Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships. While on tour she won 13 singles and 55 doubles titles.

She represented Australia on the Women’s Fed Cup team for 12 years and served as the Captain and coach of the Team for 9 years. At the Seoul Olympics in 1988, she won a Bronze Medal in Ladies Doubles. Wendy was honoured as Australia’s “Sportswoman of the Year” in 1983 and a park has been dedicated to her in her hometown of Sandgate, Australia. For her accomplishments, she was honoured as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.