Among many players that could have marked an era but had unlucky careers, American Tracy Austin is one of them. As a teenager she emerged in the WTA Tour, challenging stars such as Steffi Graf, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, but a series of injuries and a serious car accident didn’t allow her to win more.
In the late 1970s, Austin became professional and quickly made her mark in the tennis world. At just 16 years old, she won the 1979 US Open, becoming the youngest champion in tournament history. She defeated Chris Evert in the final, ending Evert’s 31-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
Austin’s consistency and tactical play allowed her to reach the World No. 1 ranking in April 1980, briefly interrupting the dominance of Evert and Martina Navratilova. The following year, she captured her second US Open title in 1981, defeating Navratilova in three sets. In addition to her singles success, Austin also won a mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 1980, partnering with her brother John Austin.
Austin’s career titles and records
Throughout her career, Austin won 30 WTA singles titles, including her two victories at the US Open. She also claimed five WTA doubles titles. Known for her baseline consistency and mental toughness, she was one of the few players to hold winning records against Evert (9–8).
In an interview with Tennis Channel in 2020, Evert said of Austin: “She beat me when she was 16 at the US Open. I remember thinking, ‘wow, here comes this girl, who hits harder than I do, she moves better than I do, she is hungrier than I am, and who am I going to beat her?”
Her biggest successes came on hard courts, where she excelled in rallies and strategic play. She was also instrumental in the United States’ Fed Cup victories in 1978, 1979 and 1980, playing a key role in securing the titles.
“I think what made me so tough to play was my mental toughness,” Austin told Tennis Channel. “The ability to go there and play point to point, to compete harder and be more focused than my opponents,” she said.
Her many injuries and her car accident
Despite her early dominance, Austin’s career was plagued by injuries. In 1982, she suffered a serious back injury, which limited her ability to compete at the highest level. After attempting comebacks, she faced further setbacks, including a severe hamstring injury that forced her to step away from the tour for extended periods.
“The one thing, looking back, that obviously was hugely disappointing was that I was not able to play as long. I finished playing when I was 21,” she told Tennis Channel. Evert agrees: “I feel like she could have been one of the greatest players of all time if she hadn’t been injured.”
In August of 1989, she was involved in a near-fatal car crash in the NYC area. According to reports, a van ran a red light at high speed and struck her car. She broke her knee, and had to undergo surgery. She was unable to walk without crutches until December.
“I was 25 when it happened and I realized then that it can all be taken away from you at any moment, so I learnt to really enjoy the little things in life. If I was a negative person I could have been like, ‘Geez, I’ve ruined my leg, and for the rest of my life I won’t be able to come back from this,'” she told The Independent in 2012.
While she attempted brief comebacks, including a return to mixed doubles at Wimbledon in the 1990s, she was unable to sustain a long-term presence on the tour. She retired from tennis for good in 1994.
Legacy and post-retirement career
After her retirement, she remained involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1992. She is, still, the youngest inductee, as she was only 29 years old.
Despite a career shortened by injuries and accidents, Austin’s legacy remains significant. Her early success, Grand Slam victories, and rivalry with tennis greats cement her place as one of the top players of her era.