Induction Year: 2000

Lori McNeil was born on December 18, 1963 in San Diego, California. She won district honors at Lamar High School in Houston but withdrew from public school competitions to pursue national tournaments in 1979. In 1980 she won the U.S. Hardcourt Championship in the 16 and under doubles division with Zina Garrison and was a semifinalist in the 16 and under singles. In 1981 she was ranked 2nd in Texas girls’ 18 singles and ranked 2nd in girls’ 18 doubles by the USTA with Garrison. She attended Oklahoma State University and in 1983 won the Big Eight Singles Championship.

When McNeil turned professional in 1983, she had wins on the Virginia Slims and USTA circuits, placing her No. 4 in singles in the U.S. and No. 1 in doubles with Kyle Copeland. She won the French Open in mixed doubles in 1988 with Jorge Lozano and was a U.S. Federation Cup Team member in 1988, 1992 and 1993. In 1994 she upset No. 1 ranked Steffi Graf in the first round of Wimbledon and went on to her second Grand Slam tournament singles semifinals. In 1995 she earned career match win number 400 at the U.S. Open and became the 21st woman to reach that mark. In 1998 as a wildcard entry, she won ITF Women’s Circuit Challenger title in Rochester, Minnesota. Throughout her illustrious career she always brought her best game to the courts