Suzana Petersen (born 14 October 1947), later Suzana Gesteira,[1] is a Brazilian former tennis player. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where tennis was a demonstration and exhibition sport, in the exhibition events. Together with Ecuadorian María Eugenia Guzmán she finished third in the women's doubles exhibition event.[2] Petersen also finished third in the women's singles and mixed doubles (with Teimuraz Kakulia of the Soviet Union) exhibition events, making her one of the "top Brazilian female players".[3] Prior to Laura Pigossi and Luisa Stefani's bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Petersen was the only Brazilian player to finish in the top three of an Olympic tennis event.[4][5]

Suzana Petersen
Personal information
NationalityBrazilian
Born (1947-10-14) 14 October 1947 (age 77)
Sport
SportTennis

She participated at Grand Slam tournaments at the 1968 French Open, 1970 French Open, 1969 Wimbledon Championships, 1970 Wimbledon Championships and 1969 US Open.[6] Petersen, from Rio Grande do Sul, was trained by her father at the Clube Sogipa in Porto Alegre.[1]

Petersen defeated Italy's Anna Arias 5-7, 6-3, 8-6 to win the 1970 Parioli tournament.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Olympics also have fantastic stories from those who did not get on the podium". Brazil News. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Olympedia – Suzana Petersen". www.olympedia.org.
  3. ^ John Grasso (2011). Historical Dictionary of Tennis. The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
  4. ^ Ariane Ferreira (5 August 2016). "Tennis Numbers and Trivia at the Olympic Games". Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  5. ^ "The history of tennis in Brazil in major championships". Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Suzana Gesteira Women's Singles Grand Slams". itftennis.
  7. ^ "AUSTRALIA TAKES DAVIS CUP SERIES". New York Times. 20 April 1970. Retrieved 2 September 2021.