Oct. 4, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF head women's tennis coach Patricia Allison announced the hiring of former professional player Jessica Fernandez as an assistant coach recently. Her appointment is effective immediately.
The No. 1 ranked tennis player in Mexico since 1996, Fernandez has been ranked as high as No. 193 in singles and No. 198 in doubles on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.
"The experience and knowledge that Jessica brings really upgrades our program," said Allison. "Her professional approach to tennis training and competition with greatly enhance our opportunity for success."
During her career, Fernandez qualified for three of the grand slams - the U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon. She was a finalist in the Yucatan Open in 1995 before winning the singles championship in 1996. That same year she advanced to the finals of the Casablanca Open and the Eddie Herr.
As a doubles player, she was the champion at the 1996 Eddie Herr and also reached the finals at the 1997 Orange Bowl.
Fernandez has excelled on the court throughout her career. She was ranked among the top four players in Mexico at the age of 14, 16 and 18.
Fernandez is the elder sister of UCF senior captain Pamela Fernandez. The Golden Knights finished last season with an 11-8 record and were ranked as high as No. 66 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).