A doubles champion has doubled up as fan favorite.
Cara Black, 10-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles, has won the International Tennis Hall of Fame's Fan Voting for the second straight year.
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Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic was second followed by former ATP No. 1 Carlos Moya in third place.
Dedicated tennis fans from 147 different nations cast their votes in an extremely close election.
In the most tightly contested Fan Vote yet, tens of thousands of fans from nearly 150 countries cast their ballots. Fans were able to vote for as many ballot nominees they believe are worthy of induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Fan Vote is only one component of the Hall of Fame’s multi-faceted election process.
In addition to the Fan Vote, an Official Voting Group comprised of tennis journalists, historians, and Hall of Famers, will vote on the Class of 2023 ballot.
Each candidate in the top three will receive percentage points toward their vote from the Official Voting Group. Black will receive three added percentage points, Ivanovic will receive two added percentage points, Moya will earn one additional percentage point. The Fan Vote is one component of the Hall of Fame’s multi-faceted election process. In addition to the Fan Vote, an Official Voting Group comprised of tennis journalists, historians, and Hall of Famers, will vote on the Class of 2023 ballot.
“Now in its fifth year, Fan Voting continues to place the history of tennis at the forefront of the sport’s conversation. The seven candidates on this year’s ballot and the fan vote’s reach illustrate how global tennis is and how passionate fans are. We are looking forward to the announcement of the Class of 2023 early next year,” Todd Martin, the outgoing CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame said.
Having developed as a tennis player alongside her family on grass courts built by her father in Harare, Zimbabwe, Black is the first African-born woman to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. During her 17-year career, Black, won 60 WTA doubles titles, including three at Wimbledon and one apiece at the Australian Open and US Open. With 163 weeks atop the WTA’s doubles rankings, Black ranks behind only Martina Navratilova and Leizel Huber all-time. In mixed doubles, she is amongst the most accomplished players in history, capturing five major titles with two partners. Black is one of only three women in the Open Era to achieve a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.
“It’s been fantastic to receive such support all over the world and in my home country of Zimbabwe during the Class of 2023 Fan Vote,” stated Black. “I am so appreciative and grateful to the fans for casting their ballots again this year. Being in consideration for the Hall of Fame remains one of the highest honors of my career, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the Player Category recognizes an athlete’s achievements as being among the all-time best in the history of the sport. To date, the honor has been presented to just 262 tennis greats from 27 nations around the world.
Fans can expect an announcement of the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee in the new year, after the Official Voting Group vote happens in the month ahead and the Fan Vote bonuses are compiled.
Photo credit: International Tennis Hall of Fame