Samantha Smith (tennis)

Samantha Smith (born 27 November 1971 in  Loughton,  Essex,  England) is a former  British  tennis player, who was the  British ladies no. 1 from 1996–1999. She now commentates on the game, predominantly for the  BBC,  Sky Sports and  Eurosport,  as well as  Channel Seven in  Australia during the  Australian Open.

Early life
Smith was born in Essex, and educated at Bancroft's School. She took 3 years out of tennis to attend the University of Exeter where she attained an Upper 2nd class Honours degree inhistory.

[edit] Tennis career
Smith competed on the WTA Tour from 1990–1992 and 1995–2000. Her highest achievement was in reaching the fourth round at the Wimbledon Championships in 1998 where she picked up an ankle injury that meant 2 operations, 4 months in plaster and effectively curtailed her climb up the rankings. She peaked at number 55 in the WTA rankings before the injury ended her career.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">At the Australian Open she competed in the first round in 1992 and reached the second round in 1999. At the French Open at Roland Garros she competed in the first round in 1991 and 1999.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">At Wimbledon she competed in the first round in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, and reached the fourth round in 1998. At the U.S. Open she competed in the first round in 1998 and reached the second round in 1997. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics she reached the second round.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Smith won a silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 1995 Universiade (World University Games) in Fukuoka, Japan, partnering Paul Robinson. She also reached the quarter finals in singles.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">She won the ITF tournaments at Nottingham in 1995 (singles and doubles) and Frinton-on-Sea in 2000. She represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and European Cup in 1991 and 1996–1999. She was unbeaten in the five singles matches in the 1997 Federation Cup.

[edit] Personal life
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Smith lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.