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Hall of Famers

Hall of Famer

CARLING BASSETT-SEGUSO

Inducted in 2001

Member Details

Date of Birth: October 9, 1967
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Sport: Tennis
Member Category: Athlete

Career Highlights

1982-86

Top-ranked player in Canada

1983

Australian Open - Quarter-finalist

1983, 1985

Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year

1984

U.S. Open - Semi-finalist

1985

World Professional Tour - Ranked 8th, the highest ranking by a Canadian

1986

Wimbledon - reached round 16

1998

Inducted into Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame

2001

First Female tennis player inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Hall of Famer CARLING BASSETT-SEGUSO
Inspire Accountability

Story

Carling Bassett-Seguso (nee Bassett) was Canada's "Teen-Queen" of tennis. By the age of 17, she ranked 8th in the world, establishing herself as the first Canadian to break into the top 10 in singles events on the world tour. Bassett-Seguso began her tennis career at the age of 11.Under the tutelage of Nick Bollettieri at his private coaching centre in Florida, she developed quickly, making her presence felt in tournaments across North America almost immediately. At the age of 13, Bassett-Seguso won the Canadian indoor title as well as the Canadian Junior Championship. She turned professional at the age of 15 and soon became the youngest competitor at Wimbledon. During her ten-year professional career, Bassett-Seguso, fondly known as "Darling Carling," had an outstanding record. She was the top-ranked player in Canada for four years running (1982-86) and was a pivotal member of the Canadian Federation Cup Team from 1982 to 1987. Internationally, she won her first championship at the 1981 Belgian Open, then went on to collect first place titles in Pennsylvania (1983) as well as Strasbourg, France (1987). In grand slam tournaments, she reached round 16 at Wimbledon in 1983 and 1986, and was a semi-finalist at the 1984 US Open. In addition, she reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open in 1983 as well as the French Open in 1984 and 1986. Bassett-Seguso was named Canadian Press Female Athlete-of-the-Year in 1983 and 1985. She was inducted to the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998 and was the first female tennis player to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, in 2001. Bassett-Seguso retired in 1991, but remains active in tennis as a commentator and coach.