Belmar Gunderson (September 7, 1934 – May 15, 2023) was an American tennis player.[1]

Belmar Gunderson
Country (sports) United States
Born(1934-09-07)September 7, 1934
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 2023(2023-05-15) (aged 88)
Singles
Grand Slam singles results
French Open2R (1963)
Wimbledon3R (1959)
US OpenQF (1955)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
French Open2R (1961)
WimbledonQF (1964)
US OpenQF (1960)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Wimbledon3R (1959, 1961)
US OpenSF (1961)

Gunderson, the daughter of an Army colonel, was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and she lived in various other military bases during her childhood, including in post-war Germany where she began playing tennis aged 13.[2]

A diminutive player, Gunderson served as captain of the U.S. junior Wightman Cup side. She celebrated her 21st birthday by beating the second-seeded Louise Brough at the 1955 U.S. National Championships to reach the quarterfinals. As a doubles player, she was ranked as high as two in the U.S., winning titles at the Canadian Championships and U.S. Indoor Championships.[3]

Gunderson retired as a player in 1965 and completed a doctorate at Texas Woman's University. From 1974 to 1976, she served as the first women's athletics director for the University of Minnesota.[4]

Gunderson died on May 15, 2023, at the age of 88.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Horsin' around". Leader-Telegram. July 8, 1998.
  2. ^ "Tiny Titan Bidding for Tennis Title". The Macon News. September 9, 1955.
  3. ^ "Visiting Netters Cart Off Trophies". Times Colonist. September 19, 1960.
  4. ^ "ITA names 2004 class". The Virginia Gazette. September 11, 2004.
  5. ^ Boike, Lauren (May 15, 2023). "In memoriam: Belmar Gunderson". College of Education and Human Development.
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