Wimbledon finalist quit tennis to become a nun after rival put razor blades in her shoes
A former Wimbledon finalist took up a completely different career than what was expected after gracing Centre Court.
Andrea Jaeger burst onto the tennis scene and quickly became one of the sport’s most recognisable names, reaching world No.2 status at the age of 16. Before turning 20 she had reached the finals of Wimbledon and the French Open, before retiring to become a nun.
As a teenager, Jaeger had reached the latter stages of all four Majors and at the age of 15 became the youngest player ever to be seeded at Wimbledon. However, a major shoulder injury four years later curtailed her promising career. But the American had already begun her philanthropy quest by visiting hospitals during tournaments.
Shortly after retiring, she obtained a degree in theology and ministry training, and created the Silver Lining Foundation which provided long-term care to children with cancer and those in need, before eventually becoming a nun.
Related articles
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"I just knew that God existed and that we were friends and had a personal relationship," she told the Daily Mail in 2008. "None of my family knew I prayed every day of my life. In August 2006, I received an associate degree in Ministry Training and Theology. Then I entered a Dominican Sisterhood Programme.
"It's a strict discipline. I wake at 4am, do my prayers and my spiritual study, then I start work at 5am or 6am fund-raising, scheduling programmes and running those programmes. We have something happening for children somewhere in the world every day."
Jaeger could be seen sporting the traditional religious clothing of a nun, a considerable change from Wimbledon’s all-white uniform, but explained that there are unexpected problems that come with the outfit.
"How often I wear the nun's habit depends on what I'm doing,” she explained. “I have three of them. They get dirty pretty fast.
"I keep getting the robes stuck in buses and escalators. Once I jumped in a cab and left half of it outside the door. The first week I wore it, at a huge global conference in New York City. A bird went to the bathroom on me.
"I thought that was God's way of saying, 'Maybe it's OK to be a little muddy on the edges – you're the one who used to dive for balls on the tennis court.' I believe I'll always be a Sister. I have a joy and love of life and it's easier to express that in this field."
In 2022, Jaeger claimed that she had been sexually harassed by a WTA employee during her playing career. Furthermore, she also revealed after returning to Wimbledon for a legends’ exhibition in 2019, that she wanted to avoid the locker rooms after she disturbingly found razor blades in her shoes while on tour.
"I had situations where I’d go to get my racket and the strings would be cut," she described. "When I went to put on my shoes, someone had left razor blades inside them."
