Ilana Kloss

Ilana Kloss (born 22 March 1956) is a former professional tennis player and the leader of World Team Tennis.

Tennis career
Kloss was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Before turning professional, in 1972 she won the Wimbledon juniors singles title. In 1974 she won U.S. Open juniors singles title, and was the youngest player ever to be ranked # 1 in South Africa.

Kloss was ranked # 1 in the world in doubles in 1976. That year, she won doubles titles at the U.S. Open, the Italian Open, the U.S. Clay Courts, the German Open, the British Hard Courts Championship, and Hilton Head, as well as the mixed doubles title at the French Open.

She was ranked as high as # 19 in the world in singles play in 1976.

In 1977 she won both the German and Canadian championships, and the British clay court championship. In 1973, she won the title in Cincinnati with Pat Pretorious, defeating Evonne Goolagong and Janet Young in the final.

Most of her women's doubles titles were achieved with partner Linky Boshoff.

After retiring, Kloss took part in the 35-and-over tour, winning the U.S. Open doubles and mixed doubles championship in 1999.

Federation Cup
In the 1970s she was 12-5 in Federation Cup matches.

Hall of Fame
Kloss was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

World Team Tennis
Since 2001 she has been the Chief Executive Officer & Commissioner of World Team Tennis, a coed professional tennis league.

Personal life
Kloss was born to Ruth and Shlaim Kloss. She has a sister, Yvette Merle Kloss, now married.

Kloss is the life partner of Billie Jean King, the US tennis player. She currently resides near the Museum of Natural History in New York City, New York.