Pam Shriver

Pamela Howard Shriver (born July 4, 1962) is an American former professional tennis player known primarily as a doubles specialist with success also as a singles player. She currently is a tennis broadcaster for ESPN. During the 1980s and 1990s, she won 133 top-level titles, including 21 women's singles titles, 111 women's doubles titles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slam tournaments. She also won a women's doubles gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul with Zina Garrison as her partner.

Playing style

Shriver was well known for her variety, including sharp volleys and all-round solid technique at the net. She also possessed a strong slice forehand and underspin approach, which set her apart from the rest of the women's field, but a comparatively weak chip backhand. She was known for being a serve-and-volleyer.

Career

Shriver first came to prominence at the 1978 US Open where, as a 16-year-old amateur, she reached the women's singles final. She defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion, Martina Navratilova, in a semifinal. Shriver then lost to Chris Evert in the final. This early singles achievement proved the pinnacle of her singles success. Shriver also won her first career singles title in 1978 at Columbus, Ohio, yet won a total of just 21 singles titles between 1978 and 1997.