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Peanut Louie Harper

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Wolbo (talk | contribs) at 22:15, 21 July 2018 (Undid revision 851376034 by 2600:1700:45F0:62A0:49FD:B69E:AD1:F1EE (talk) Rvt, per tennis project consensus only finals are listed). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Peanut Louie Harper
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceSan Francisco, CA, USA
Born (1960-08-15) 15 August 1960 (age 64)
San Francisco, USA
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) [1]
Turned pro1978
Retired1994
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Singles
Career record238–263
Career titles4
Highest rankingNo. 19 (1 April 1985)
Grand Slam singles results
French Open3R (1978)
Wimbledon3R (1980, 1987)
US Open3R (1978, 1984)
Doubles
Career record118–162
Career titles5
Highest rankingNo. 31 (6 April 1992)
Grand Slam doubles results
French Open2R (1988)
Wimbledon3R (1989)
US Open3R (1980)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French Open2R (1988)
Wimbledon2R (1976, 1989)
US Open3R (1978)

Peanut Louie Harper (born August 15, 1960), is a retired American tennis player, born in San Francisco, California[2] to Ron and Alice Louie.[3] She was a top ranked US junior tennis player and professional tennis player on the WTA tour. She reached a career high singles ranking of 19 in the world in 1985 and doubles ranking of 31 in the world in 1992. She is currently the co-founder and program director of Harper for Kids, a youth character development program.

Professional tennis career

During her career, she won 14 USTA National Junior titles and was the #1 ranked 16-and-under (1976) and 12-and-under tennis player (1972) in the United States. Peanut was the Junior Wimbledon finalist in 1977 and the semifinalist in 1978.[4] She was also the #1 ranked junior in NorCal in all age divisions (10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 & unders).

After a successful junior career, she turned pro in 1978. In her 16-year career, she won 4 singles titles and reached a career high ranking of No. 19 in the world (in 1985). She also won 5 doubles titles and reached a career high ranking of No. 31 in the world (in 1992). At the Grand Slams, her best results were reaching the round of 32 in singles and the round of 16 in doubles, several times. Among her best wins were victories over Gabriela Sabatini and Zina Garrison, Mary Joe Fernandez, Helena Sukova, Wendy Turnbull, Stephanie Rehe and Andrea Jaeger.[5]

Peanut was honored with the WTA Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award in back-to-back years in 1985 and 1986 from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). In 1986, she was also named TENNIS MAGAZINE's "Comeback Player of the Year". During her junior career, she was presented with the USTA Girls’ 18 National Championship Sportsmanship Award in 1977. See table below for professional career highlights*

Personal life and post-tennis career

Her elder sister, Marcie, also played on the WTA Tour, while her sisters Cici and Marisa, and brother Ronnie, all played at the University of San Francisco.[6] She, along with her siblings, trained on the tennis courts of Golden Gate Park. She was given the nickname "Peanut" by her dad because she was the youngest of the five children.[5]

She was inducted into the USTA Northern California Hall of Fame in 2000,[7] the Multi-Ethnic Sports of Fame in 2017, the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 2010,[4] and the George Washington Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.

She married her husband, Tim Harper in 1986. They live in San Francisco and have two kids, Casey and Jared.

Charity work

In 2008, Peanut co-founded Harper for Kids (HFK), a children's nonprofit organization, with her husband Tim Harper.[8] HFK's youth character development program is based upon UCLA Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success and teaches youth essential character traits that can help them achieve their personal best in life. HFK helps schools incorporate the Pyramid of Success into their Character Education and has worked with 106 schools throughout California, reaching over 55,000 K-12 students. Prior to starting Harper for Kids, Peanut collaborated with Coach John Wooden on his award-winning children’s book, “Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success” (Perfection Learning), along with co-author Steve Jamison.

Hall of Fame inductions

- Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame - 2017 inductee

- San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame - 2010 inductee

- USTA NorCal Hall of Fame - 2000 inductee

- George Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame - 1991 inductee

Awards & Honors

Awards

-The Chinese Historical Society of America - 1996 Recipient Awarded in recognition of an outstanding athlete whose achievement is an inspiration to all.

- TENNIS MAGAZINE (USA) "Comeback Player of the Year" - 1986 recipient

- WTA Awards

Given by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) to players for achievements during the season or their career.

-Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award - 1985 Recipient

-Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award - 1986 Recipient

Awarded to the player who best displays professionalism, attitude and sense of fair play. The award was named in the honor of former Australian player Karen Krantzcke.

- USTA Girls’ 18 National Championship Sportsmanship Award

To the player in the championship, who, in the opinion of the committee of judges, most nearly approaches the ideal in sportsmanship, conduct and character.

-Sportsmanship Award - 1977

Honors

- OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) East Bay Chapter - 2010 Honoree

- Queen of Hearts Foundation - 2011 Honorary Chairperson

- OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) San Mateo Chapter - 2012 Honoree

WTA Career finals

Singles (4 titles, 1 finalist)

Outcome Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Winner 1 September 1978 Avon Futures of Northern California, U.S Hard Ruta Gerulatis 7–6, 6–2
Winner 2 March 1980 Avon Futures of Columbus, U.S Hard United States Beth Norton 6–2, 6–3
Finalist 21 December 1980 Tucson Open, U.S Carpet (i) United States Tracy Austin 2–6, 0–6
Winner 29 April 1984 Durban, South Africa Hard South Africa Rene Uys 6–1, 6–4
Winner 20 January 1985 Virginia Slims of Denver, U.S Carpet (i) United States Zina Garrison 6–4, 4–6, 6–4

Doubles (5 titles, 5 finalists)

Outcome Partner Date Tournament Surface Opponents Score
Finalist United States Marita Redondo 28 March 1979 La Costa Tennis Classic Hard United States Marcie Louie

Czechoslovakia Regina Marsikova

6–2, 2–6, 6–4
Winner United States Dana Gilbert 20 October 1980 Hit-Union Japan Open Hard Nerida Gregory

Marie Pinterova

7–5, 7–6
Finalist United States Marita Redondo 2 March 1981 Avon Championships of Los Angeles Hard Australia Susan Leo

United States Kim Sands

6–1, 4–6, 6–1
Winner United States Anna Maria Fernandez 29 April 1984 Durban, South Africa Hard Brazil Claudia Monteiro

South Africa Beverly Mould

7–5, 5-7, 6–1
Winner United States Anna Maria Fernandez 30 July 1984 Virginia Slims of Newport Grass United States Lea Antonopolis

South Africa Beverly Mould

7–5, 7–6
Finalist United States Heather Ludloff 29 September 1987 Virginia Slims of New Orleans Carpet (i) United States Zina Garrison

United States Lori McNeil

6–3, 6–3
Winner United States Penny Barg October 1989 Virginia Slims of Arizona Hard United States Elise Burgin

South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank

7–6, 7–6
Finalist United States Wendy White 6 August 1990 Virginia Slims of Albuquerque Hard United States Meredith McGrath

United States Anne Smith

7–6, 6–4
Finalist South Africa Lise Gregory 5 August 1991 Virginia Slims of Albuquerque Hard United States Katrina Adams

France Isabelle Demongeot

6–7, 6–4, 6–3
Winner United States Cammy MacGregor October 1991 Virginia Slims of Arizona Hard United States Sandy Colins

South Africa Elna Reinach

7–5, 3–6, 6–3

References

  1. ^ Bostic, Stephanie, ed. (1979). USTA Player Records 1978. United States Tennis Association (USTA). p. 215.
  2. ^ "Peanut Louie Harper ITF Profile". Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  3. ^ Bonk, Thomas (1991-03-03). "Peanut Bags Two Big Victories". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  4. ^ a b "Talented class of 10 set to join SF Prep Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  5. ^ a b Berton, Justin (2009-08-20). "Peanut Louie Harper's new spin on sports: kids". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  6. ^ Chapin, Dwight (2002-02-10). "WHERE ARE THEY NOW? / 'Peanut' Louie-Harper / This tennis nut made a name for herself on court". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  7. ^ "USTA Northern California Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  8. ^ "Harper for Kids". www.harperforkids.org.
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