Our WCW today is Cara Cavell Black. Born on February 17, 1979, she is a retired professional tennis player hailing from Zimbabwe. Known for her prowess in doubles, Black secured an impressive tally of 60 WTA Tour and 11 ITF doubles titles throughout her career. As a former doubles world No. 1, she clinched ten major titles and joined an elite group by completing the career Grand Slam in mixed doubles during the 2010 Australian Open, following in the footsteps of tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Daniela Hantuchová. Her success extended beyond doubles as she also reached the rank of world No. 31 in singles in March 1999.
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe to Donald and Velia Black, Cara Black emerged from a family of tennis connoisseurs, with her father and older brothers, Wayne and Byron Black, all making their mark in the professional tennis circuit. Collaborating with her brother Wayne, she secured victories in the mixed-doubles events at the 2002 French Open and 2004 Wimbledon Championships. Throughout her career, Black formed enduring partnerships with players such as Irina Selyutina, Elena Likhovtseva, Rennae Stubbs, Liezel Huber, and Sania Mirza.
In 2005, Black revealed her plans to marry her longtime partner, Australian mental and fitness trainer Brett Stephens, with whom she welcomed a son in 2012. A decorated player in her own right, Black has amassed an impressive collection of Grand Slam titles, including victories at Wimbledon in 2004, 2005, and 2007, the Australian Open in 2007, and the US Open in 2008 in women’s doubles. Additionally, she claimed five Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, notably triumphing with her brother Wayne at the 2002 French Open and 2004 Wimbledon Championships.
Beyond her Grand Slam successes, Black achieved notable feats in various tournaments, including clinching the WTA singles title in Waikoloa in 2002 and displaying exceptional performances at the ITF doubles tournament in Santa Clara in 1999. Her remarkable journey in tennis saw her secure numerous victories and partnerships, culminating in memorable moments like capturing the year-end championships with Liezel Huber and representing Zimbabwe at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Throughout her career, Black’s dedication, talent, and exceptional performance on the tennis court solidified her status as a formidable force in the world of professional tennis, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and enduring partnerships on the global tennis stage.
