Former Wimbledon finalist now a nun after quitting tennis aged 19

ANDREA JAEGER scaled the heights of tennis as a teenager, before quitting to become a nun.

The American, now 59, quickly emerged as a serious talent – hitting the pro ranks aged just 14.

During her short career she reached at least the semi-finals in all four Majors – even making the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

She earned over £1million during her playing days, but quit aged just 19 in 1985 after suffering with a shoulder issue.

Jaeger lost 7-6 6-1 to Martina Navratilova in her Roland Garros final in 1982.

The following year she fell 6-0 6-3 to the same opponent in the Wimbledon final.

She did manage to capture a Major title in mixed doubles during her short tennis career – triumphing at Roland Garros in 1981 alongside Jimmy Arias aged just 16.

After being forced to hang up her racquet, Jaeger’s life took quite a pivot.

She decided to head to college, studying theology and ministry training.

This paved the way for her to become a nun.

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In 2008, Jaeger explained her drastic lifestyle change during an interview with the Mail.

She said: “I just knew that God existed and that we were friends and had a personal relationship. None of my family knew I prayed every day of my life.

“In August 2006, I received an associate degree in Ministry Training and Theology. Then I entered a Dominican Sisterhood Programme.

“It’s a strict discipline. I wake at 4am, do my prayers and my spiritual study, then I start work at 5am or 6am fund-raising, scheduling programmes and running those programmes.

“We have something happening for children somewhere in the world every day.

“How often I wear the nun’s habit depends on what I’m doing. I have three of them. They get dirty pretty fast.

“I keep getting the robes stuck in buses and escalators. Once I jumped in a cab and left half of it outside the door.

“The first week I wore it, at a huge global conference in New York City. A bird went to the bathroom on me.

“I thought that was God’s way of saying, ‘Maybe it’s okay to be a little muddy on the edges – you’re the one who used to dive for balls on the tennis court.’

“I believe I’ll always be a Sister. I have a joy and love of life and it’s easier to express that in this field.”

Jaeger has done her best to help others since hanging up her racquet.

The Chicago-born star set up the Silver Lining Foundation in 1990, providing support to children suffering with cancer.

In a 2003 interview, Jaeger, who peaked at No2 in the world, claimed that she was never truly committed to be being the best.

She said: “I don’t think anyone understood the mindset of someone who wasn’t committed to being No1 in the world.

“To me, it was, when I’m on the tennis court, I’ll swing a racquet back and forth and chase a few balls.

“When I’m not on the court, I’m going to do what I feel God has called me to do, and I’m going to be a kid. If that’s the worst thing they can say about me, then hats off to them.”