Helen Kelesi
Helen Kelesi is a former professional tennis player from Canada. She was coached by her father Milan Kelesi.
Career
"Hurricane Helen", as the Canadian press dubbed her for her fiery demeanour, achieved a career high WTA ranking of world no. 13, and was a regular fixture in the top 25 from 1986 to 1991. She won singles titles in two tour events, the 1986 Japan Open and the 1988 Citta de Taranto, and at the French Open, she was a quarter-finalist in 1988 and 1989. During her time on the WTA Tour, Kelesi recorded wins over Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Jana Novotna, Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere, Helena Sukova and Pam Shriver.Kelesi's game was characterized by aggressive baseline play, with a powerful top-spin forehand and two-handed backhand. She also retrieved well and could play defensively when needed. These skills meant that Kelesi was particularly good on clay and hard-court surfaces.
Kelesi was a Canadian Federation Cup team member from 1986 to 1993. She was Tennis Canada singles player of the year four times.
Kelesi's professional career came to an end in 1995 when a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball was discovered following months of headaches, dizziness and vision problems. Numerous operations followed over the years, Kelesi successfully recovered and began coaching young children in Canada in the late 1990s. She also became a part-time tennis journalist and commentator.
WTA Tour finals
Singles: 9 (2 titles, 7 runners-up)
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
Runner-up | 1. | 26 August 1985 | Monticello | Hard | ![]() | 6–4, 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 1. | 19 October 1986 | Tokyo | Hard | ![]() | 6–2, 6–2 |
Winner | 2. | 1 May 1988 | Taranto | Clay | ![]() | 6–1, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 2. | 8 May 1988 | Rome | Clay | ![]() | 1–6, 7–6, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 3. | 7 August 1988 | Cincinnati | Hard | ![]() | 2–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 4. | 30 April 1989 | Barcelona | Clay | ![]() | 2–6, 7–5, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 5. | 12 November 1989 | Nashville | Hard | ![]() | 2–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 6. | 27 May 1990 | Geneva | Clay | ![]() | 6–2, 5–7, 6–7 |
Runner-up | 7. | 26 May 1991 | Geneva | Clay | ![]() | 3–6, 6–3, 3–6 |
Doubles: 5 (2 titles, 3 runners-up)
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
Runner-up | 1. | 1 May 1988 | Taranto | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 1–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 2. | 7 August 1988 | Cincinnati | Hard | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 6–7, 1–6 |
Winner | 1. | 13 May 1990 | Rome | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 3. | 5 August 1990 | Montreal | Hard | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 2–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 2. | 21 October 1990 | Scottsdale | Hard | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 6–2 |
ITF Finals
Singles Finals: 3 (3-0)
$100,000 tournaments |
$75,000 tournaments |
$50,000 tournaments |
$25,000 tournaments |
$10,000 tournaments |