Tuesday 10 March 2015 16:09, UK
Andy Murray's coach and former world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Mauresmo won the 2006 Wimbledon and Australian Open titles, each time defeating Justine Henin in the final. She also made a remarkable run to the 1999 Australian Open final as an unseeded player, ousting world No 1 Lindsay Davenport and two other seeds on the way.
The 35-year-old Frenchwoman, who spent 39 weeks on top of the rankings, was the Olympic women's runner-up in 2004 at Athens. She won 35 WTA titles and went 545-227 during her her career before retiring in 2009.
Mauresmo is now a coach, counting British No 1 Murray among her charges, and has helped guide others, notably two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka and compatriot Marion Bartoli during her run to the 2013 Wimbledon title.
Tennis has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I extend my gratitude to the selection committee for recognising my career in this way.
"I'm honoured and humbled to be selected," Mauresmo said. "Tennis has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I extend my gratitude to the selection committee for recognising my career in this way. It's an extraordinary honour to have my career celebrated alongside the greatest champions of our sport, people who I have admired so greatly all my life."
Australian wheelchair star David Hall - a six-time Paralympic medallist - and industry leader Nancy Jeffert were the other names announced as 2015 inductees.
The trio will be enshrined July 18 during a ceremony at an ATP grass-court tournament outside the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, after receiving at least 75 percent support from a Hall selection committee.
"Amelie and David were both inspiring and highly accomplished competitors on the professional tours," Hall of Fame president Stan Smith said.
"Nancy's commitment to tennis has been integral to the growth of the sport and will leave a permanent positive impact on tennis for years to come. We look forward to celebrating their many accomplishments."
