Northwestern University Athletics
Cristelle Grier Earns 2003 Wimbledon Wildcard
6/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 13, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's tennis player Cristelle Grier (Surrey, England/Putney), who lit the college tennis world on fire in 2003, capped off an award-filled freshman campaign by earning a wildcard in the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. Grier is one of four players to receive a wildcard berth, based on her strong performance over the last year.
Grier, who became the first player since 1990 to win both Big Ten Freshman and Player of the Year honors in the same year, begins qualifying play at the world-famous All England Lawn Tennis Club on June 16.
"I knew I earned the wildcard in the United States, but you're never quite sure whether the people in England know just how good the standard of competition is here," Grier said. "It is immensely gratifying to be recognized by the English tennis world."
Grier returns home--her house is only a 30-minute drive from the Championships site--for her third appearance in the Wimbledon qualifying round. She pre-qualified the last two years.
"To get the wildcard on merit for my performance in the United States is even more gratifying," Grier said. "It's a reflection of the standard of tennis and how hard the team trained this year."
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) named Grier the National Player to Watch after going undefeated in regular season dual matches (25-0) and finishing the year ranked ninth. In addition to the national award, Grier received two regional honors--Midwest Region Rookie Player of the Year and Player to Watch.
After rolling through regular-season play, Grier advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2003 NCAA Singles Championship. She completed her first collegiate season with a 38-7 overall record as the Wildcats won their fifth consecutive Big Ten championship.
"This is a great opportunity for Cristelle," said NU head coach Claire Pollard. "It's a good measuring stick to see where she's at. She was heartbroken about the way the year ended. It's a nice thing to happen to a good kid."
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GRIER'S 2002-03 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
* Big Ten Player of the Year
* Big Ten Freshman of the Year
* All-Big Ten
* Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Player to Watch
* ITA Regional (Midwest) Rookie of the Year
* ITA Regional (Midwest) Player to Watch
* Big Ten Player of the Week (March 31)
* Ranked as nation's ninth-best player
* Earned national ranking of No. 4 (March 12)
* Earned an invitation to the NCAA Singles Championships
* Advanced to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships
* Ranked sixth in the nation in doubles
* Selected to play in NCAA Doubles Championships
* Set a NU record for most consecutive wins in a season-28
* Finished dual season with 25-0 record; 10-0 in Big Ten matches
* Won ITA Regional Championship in the fall
* Defeated both the then-No. 3 and 4 players in the nation while
ranked No. 16
* Recipient of NU's Big Ten Medal of Honor
* Led NU to its fifth straight Big Ten Championship
Players Mentioned
