Mary Carillo

Mary Carillo, born on March 15, 1957, in New York City, is a former professional tennis player turned sports broadcaster and journalist. She gained prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a talented athlete on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour, reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 33 in 1980. Carillo is particularly noted for her excellent doubles play, achieving a career-high ranking of World No. 17 in doubles, and winning a total of 7 WTA doubles titles.

Throughout her playing career, Carillo made significant contributions to American tennis, representing the United States in both singles and doubles competitions at the Federation Cup and the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. She achieved notable success at Grand Slam tournaments, including reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open in 1977 and earning a mixed doubles title at the US Open in 1977 alongside partner and fellow American tennis player, Vicki Nelson-Dunbar. Her on-court accomplishments have solidified her status as a respected figure in the sport.

After retiring from professional tennis in the early 1980s, Carillo transitioned to broadcasting, where she has become a prominent voice in tennis commentary for networks such as NBC and HBO. Her insights and engaging personality have won her multiple Sports Emmy Awards, and she is acclaimed for her ability to connect with audiences and convey the intricacies of the game. Carillo’s legacy encompasses both her achievements as an athlete and her influential role in sports media, making her a significant figure in the history of American tennis.