Jane’s most memorable match was playing Martina Navratilova on Wimbledon’s Center Court in 1986.
About Jane Forman
A former top 50 world-ranked tennis professional and Clemson Hall of Fame athlete, Jane founded the Jane Forman Tennis Academy in 1990. She has devoted the last 20 years to developing community tennis and sports programs for children and adults of all ages and levels of ability.
Career Highlights
Jane attended Clemson University in 1980 on a full athletic scholarship and was named to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) All American Team for four consecutive years; she achieved the most solid record in Clemson University history, a record that still stands today. In 1980, she started her professional career as an amateur so she could continue to work towards obtaining a college degree.
In 1984, Jane became an “official” professional player and competed for 10 years, reaching top 50-ranked player status in the world on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Circuit; she also competed on the following circuits: the United States Tennis Association professional circuit; the International Tennis Federation (satellite); Grand Slam tournaments; and the Virginia Slims Circuit. Some of Jane’s notable top ten opponents include Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, and Andrea Jaeger. Her most memorable match was playing Martina Navratilova on Wimbledon’s Center Court in 1986.
Jane retired from competitive play in 1989 and turned her efforts and enthusiasm for the sport of tennis to teaching tennis and sports management. The Jane Forman Tennis Academy (JFTA) was conceived of and founded in 1990 to bring high quality tennis to non-club amateurs, both children and adults. The JFTA staff is comprised of retired touring tennis professionals and certified instructors who specialize in teaching children. The Academy provides classes, instruction, after-school programs, leagues, and tournaments for adults, teens, and children.
In 2002, Jane created a Miami-based sports management group, Jane Forman Sports, that consisted of: (1) The Jane Forman Tennis Academy; (2) Jane Forman Golf School; and (3) Dade County Sports. Additionally, she established the Dade County Sports Foundation, which is a not-for-profit enterprise that provides sports scholarships to any of the sports programs managed by Jane Forman Sports. Each of these companies is unique; however, they are all similar in their mission to provide recreational sports programs for all ages, demographics, and levels of ability.
Honors & Records
- Nominated by Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce for Look Up Miami-Dade County Business Woman of the Year in 2008
- Named to Clemson University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003
- Named to the Top 50 Athletes in the Century in Rhode Island in 2003
- Holds the singles record with most wins in the history of Clemson University
- Named to the ALL ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Top Athletes of All Time in 1984
- Four time ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Champion; three time Most Valuable Player
- Four time NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) All-American
- Selected for Rhode Island Jewish Hall of Fame in 1987
- Named Rhode Island’s Schoolgirl Athlete-of-the-Year by Words Unlimited in 1979 and 1980
- Named Prep All-America Girl Athlete by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980
- USTA (United States Tennis Association) National Ranking: Top 10 Junior in 1979
- Never lost a match in the state of Rhode Island
- Never lost a match or set interscholastically