Anne Guerrant’s 2014 induction into the USTA Hall of Fame.
Denise Lott
The USTA Southwest Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced its two newly-elected members for 2014. One of those is IronOaks Tennis Club member Anne Guerrant. Anne is recognized for her continued dedication, service and commitment to the sport.
Anne, of Gilbert, Arizona, was a former great professional player playing in the 1970’s. She ranked as high as No. 11 in the world in singles in 1976 and won four WTA Tour titles. She was a former top player on the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour in doubles, winning several doubles crowns, including the Australian Open doubles title in 1977.
Anne also performed on the World Team Tennis professional leagues in the heydays of WTT tennis, playing alongside former world No. 1 Billie Jean King and posted wins over Martina Navratilova as well as King on her playing resume.
Formerly named Mona Anne Schallau, she helped start up the then-Virginia Slims Tour (now WTA Tour), was once a Top 15-ranked player in the world, won four titles on the WTA Tour from 1971-1980 and remains a close personal friend of Billie Jean King.
Anne lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her husband, Terry Guerrant, whom she married in 1975. Terry had been a fan in the stands at one of her matches when they met. The Guerrants have one son, Daniel.
In 2005 they started the Guerrant Foundation which raises money to help the poorest of the world’s poor through small loans to start businesses, called “microlending.” So far they have helped over 30,000 people, mostly women, in Africa, Asia and Latin America to start small businesses and begin to escape from poverty. See www.GuerrantFoundation.org.
One of the foundation’s fundraising events is the annual Phoenix Battle of the Sexes fundraising event. This year it was held in November at the Phoenician. It features a team tennis doubles event on the stadium court with other activities for the public to enjoy and participate in.
Anne continues to remain a passionate tennis player and advocate, recently winning the USTA Women’s 65 Grass Court National Championships for the second consecutive year and has been a past team player for United States in international senior competitions.
IronOaks Tennis Club is proud to have Anne as a member for the past 12 years. She especially likes the clay court features of the club.