Meet Professional Tennis Player Alexandra Stevenson

Born on December 15, 1980, in La Jolla, California, Alexandra Stevenson is the daughter of renowned sportswriter Samantha Stevenson and legendary basketball player Julius Erving. Now based in Los Angeles, Alexandra’s tennis career took off with impressive achievements, including a world ranking of 18th in 2002 and maintaining a position within the top 100 for five consecutive years. 

In 1999, at 18 years old and two weeks out of high school, Alexandra Stevenson made history as the first woman qualifier in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon semifinals. This remarkable record has stood firm for 25 years, with no woman yet matching Alexandra’s achievement of winning nine matches at Wimbledon. Renowned for her powerful first serve and the fastest second serve in the women’s game, Alexandra faced a challenge in her career with labral repair shoulder surgery in January 2004. Undeterred, she spent years dedicated to training and competing, determined to reclaim her position at the pinnacle of women’s tennis. 

In the early years of her professional tennis career, Alexandra Stevenson traveled to over 15 countries, achieving significant milestones, including 14 WTA quarterfinals, two WTA finals, two WTA semifinals, and an ITF title. She proudly represented the United States on four Fed Cup teams and earned a Bronze Medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. Beyond her accomplishments on the court, Alexandra also made a powerful impact off the court. In 2000, during the Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head, she met with South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges. She successfully advocated removing the Confederate Flag from the South Carolina State Capitol, demonstrating her influential voice and commitment to social change. 

In a pivotal act of activism, Alexandra Stevenson played a vital role during the NAACP’s tourism boycott of South Carolina. While many athletes chose to withdraw from events in solidarity, Alexandra saw an opportunity to make a more significant impact by continuing to compete. Believing in the power of her platform, she took a proactive stance, using her presence to amplify her message. 

Driven by determination, Alexandra Stevenson took her advocacy to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where she delivered a powerful speech addressing the issue. Her words resonated with lawmakers and played a significant role in the House’s decision to remove the Confederate Flag from the state capitol. On July 1, 2000, the flag was respectfully relocated to a Confederate soldier cemetery. 

In 2024, the International Tennis Hall of Fame honored Alexandra Stevenson’s impactful efforts with an exhibition titled “Breaking Boundaries,” recognizing her significant contributions to advocacy and societal change. On August 24, 2024, Alexandra will be inducted into the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame at Morley Field in San Diego. Morley Field holds special significance, as it is where Alexandra, along with tennis legends like Venus and Serena Williams, Walter, Marita, and Ryan Redondo, Skip Redondo, Charlie Pasarell, Rosie Casals, Maureen Connolly, and many others, began their illustrious careers. 

In 2002, professional tennis player Alexandra Stevenson teamed up with Serena Williams to win a doubles title at the Sparkassen Cup in Leipzig, Germany, highlighting her exceptional skills on the court. Despite facing a setback with shoulder surgery in 2004, Alexandra remained committed, spending the next two decades dedicated to reclaiming her place at the top of women’s tennis.

Reinventing herself in the second phase of her career, Alexandra Stevenson expanded into public speaking, debuting her motivational speech, “Manners and Match Toughness: How to Win and Lose On and Off the Field of Play,” at private schools and college campuses. Alexandra also made a significant impact as a tennis analyst, delivering insightful commentary for ESPN TV at prestigious events like Wimbledon and the US Open from 2019 to 2023.

Standing tall at 6’1”, Alexandra’s right-handed playing style and admired one-handed backhand set her apart on the court. Her versatile all-court game and powerful serves earned her acclaim, with The Charleston Post and Courier in April 2011 lauding her precision, power, and skill in overpowering her opponents throughout her illustrious 12-year career: “Using slice and power with an old school one-handed backhand, serving with sheer power and pinpoint accuracy, and hitting huge forehands, Stevenson overpowered her opponent.”

In addition to her on-screen presence, Alexandra’s commitment to social causes shines through her work. She played a pivotal role in producing an ESPN piece that aired during the 2021 US Open, honoring 9/11’s 20th anniversary and paying tribute to fallen firefighter Manny del Valle. Creating her podcast, “Serving Aces: Conversations with Alexandra Stevenson,” in 2022 earned her a nomination at the Sports Podcast Awards for the best tennis and racquet podcast. 

Amidst the challenges of the COVID era, Alexandra found a new calling as a private tennis court coach in Los Angeles, sharing her expertise with young students aged 6 to 18, fondly referring to them as the “Good News Bears.” Her coaching specialty lies in teaching proper tennis techniques. 

Alexandra also prepared a “Where in the World is Alexandra?” newsletter for California schools. 

Professional tennis player and TV analyst Alexandra Stevenson has made a lasting impact beyond the tennis court, with her multifaceted personality and global reach featured in numerous prestigious national and international media outlets. Her appearances include MTV, BBC, CNN, the Barbara Walters Special, ABC TV, Tennis Channel, Best Damned Sports Show, Good Morning America, Today Show, Oxygen TV, People Magazine, Tennis Magazine, ESPN Magazine, ESPN TV, ESPN.com, Elle Magazine, Vogue Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Women’s Sports and Fitness, Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Observer, LA Times, USA Today (Cover 1999), London Times, Daily Mail, Australian Age, and India Times. 

On August 24, Alexandra Stevenson will be inducted into the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame, further solidifying her sports legacy. 

A multifaceted talent, Alexandra’s educational journey and artistic pursuits reflect her diverse experiences decorated with honors and significant moments across her career and academic achievements.

Alexandra’s passion for the arts blossomed during her years at La Jolla Country Day School, where she excelled academically and artistically. Graduating with honors in 1999, she showcased her talents in dance and singing, captivating audiences in iconic productions such as the Nutcracker with the San Diego City Ballet. Her performances in high school classics like Grease, Guys and Dolls, and Bye Bye Birdie highlighted her versatility and creativity. She also had a walk-on audition in an Off-Broadway musical.

Beyond the stage, Alexandra’s musical aspirations reached even greater heights with a memorable rendition of “Joy to the World” for a millennium television audience of millions in Australia while competing at the prestigious Hopman Cup in Perth. Her ability to shine on and off the court exemplified her dynamic range of talents.

In 1999, she was given the key to the city of San Diego.

Alexandra’s educational journey continued at the University of Colorado, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology on December 15, 2007, earning placement on the Dean’s List and in the Honor Society. Her commitment to excellence extended to her alma mater, La Jolla Country Day School, which honored her legacy by inducting her into the Hall of Fame in 2009 for her instrumental role in leading the high school tennis team to their first CIF title in 67 years – in 1996 when she was 15 years old.  

Alexandra Stevenson’s journey is a testament to resilience, versatility, and the pursuit of excellence, defining her as a dynamic force in tennis and beyond.  The San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame will house some of Alexandra’s iconic memorabilia including a brass plated shoe that Nike’s Phil Knight had made for her – the shoe that got her the historic record in 1999. 

In addition to her tennis and television endeavors, Alexandra shares her expertise in fashion history and love for literature through her podcast, “Serving Aces,” offering a unique perspective on pop culture.  Indeed, Alexandra gives her insight to all sports and athletes. 

Alexandra spent much of her growing up years at newspaper interviews – with her sportswriter mother, Samantha Stevenson.  She learned about a press conference, an interview, an athlete’s voice.  She learned about storytelling – while watching her mother interview great athletes.  Along the way, she learned about the NFL quarterback – and their tactics on throwing.  Tony Gwynn, the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame right fielder, taught her about video replay – and watching your sport for weaknesses in the opponent.  Pete Rozelle, the commissioner of the NFL 1960-1989 – inspired a young Alexandra with wisdom on athletic presence in the media – and regaling her with stories from the NFL  Barbara Walters, the venerable interviewer, was an early television mentor in 1999, when she featured Alexandra in the Barbara Walters Special.