Mary Pierce

French-American player known for her fierce hitting who won two Grand Slam singles titles in the 1990s and 2000s.

Mary Pierce was born in Montreal, Canada in 1975, of American-French heritage, and raised in Florida before representing France professionally — winning 2 Grand Slams and reaching world number one. She turned professional in 1989 and won the Australian Open in 1995 — defeating Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in a comprehensive final — and the French Open in 2000, defeating Conchita Martínez. She briefly reached world number one in 2000. She won 25 career titles with a 534-244 record. She reached the French Open final again in 2005, losing to Justine Henin. Her career was complicated by a difficult personal life — a restraining order against her father Jim Pierce, whose courtside conduct and verbal abuse was so notorious that the WTA eventually banned him from tour events. Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive baseline game were ahead of her time in women's tennis. She represented France in the Billie Jean King Cup for over a decade, helping France win the title in 1997. Her combination of American athleticism and French tennis culture made her one of the most distinctive players of her generation.

Pierce was known for her aggressive baseline game built around powerful groundstrokes from both wings. She possessed one of the hardest-hitting forehands on the women's tour and could generate tremendous pace and depth from the baseline. Her physical strength and ability to hit winners from defensive positions made her a formidable opponent on all surfaces.

Pierce helped elevate French tennis during the 1990s and early 2000s, inspiring a generation of French players with her Grand Slam success.

• 2 Grand Slam singles titles (1995 Australian Open, 2000 French Open)
• Fed Cup champion with France (1997)
• International Tennis Hall of Fame (2013)