Kathy Rinaldi is an American former professional tennis player, coach, and tennis administrator. A top-ten WTA player who reached world No. 7 and the 1985 Wimbledon semifinals, she later coached American players, led the United States to the 2017 Billie Jean King Cup title, and directed national women's tennis development.
Background
Kathy Rinaldi was born on March 24, 1967, in Stuart, Florida, and grew up in the South Florida tennis environment. Her older sister Tina was a highly ranked high-school player who later played for the University of Virginia, contributing to a family setting in which competitive tennis was prominent.
Rinaldi emerged internationally as a teenager. At 14, she became the youngest player to win a Wimbledon singles match, a record that remained in place until 1990. Early press accounts described her as a precocious junior from Stuart who entered professional competition while continuing her secondary education through correspondence coursework at Martin Downs High School.
Education
Rinaldi attended Martin Downs High School in Florida and completed correspondence coursework while competing on the international tennis circuit. Her schooling coincided with an unusually early professional career, beginning when she was still in her early teens.
Her later professional development took place primarily through the Women's Tennis Association tour rather than through a documented university program. The WTA tour provided the international competitive structure in which she progressed from teenage Grand Slam success to a top-ten world ranking.
Career
Rinaldi turned professional in 1980 and became prominent during the 1981 season. At the French Open that year she reached the quarterfinals, and at Wimbledon she became the youngest player to win a singles match at 14 years and 91 days. She was named the Women's Tennis Association's Most Impressive Newcomer of the Year in 1981.
Her playing career included three WTA singles titles and two WTA doubles titles. She reached the Wimbledon singles semifinals in 1985 and the French Open quarterfinals in 1981 and 1986. On May 26, 1986, she reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 7. She also represented the United States in the Wightman Cup in 1983, 1985, and 1986.
After the 1987 French Open, Rinaldi fractured her right thumb in a fall on stairs in Monte Carlo, an injury that kept her out for the rest of that year. She returned to competition and received the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award in 1989. She retired from professional tennis in September 1997.
Rinaldi subsequently moved into player development and coaching. She worked for the United States Tennis Association for approximately 18 years, ultimately serving as head of women's tennis and helping support American players on the professional circuit. In December 2016 she became captain of the United States Fed Cup team, later renamed the Billie Jean King Cup team, and in 2017 led the United States to the title in her first season. Her team also reached the 2018 final and the 2021 semifinals; she stepped down as captain after the 2023 finals.
Rinaldi coached the United States women's tennis team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, held in 2021, and at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In 2026 she began a new phase of her career by coaching Caty McNally on the WTA Tour and developing a high-performance tennis academy in coordination with The Greene School in West Palm Beach, Florida. She has also participated as a mentor and facilitator in the WTA Coach Inclusion Program, which supports the development of women coaches.
Achievements
Reached the French Open singles quarterfinals in 1981 and 1986 and the Wimbledon singles semifinals in 1985.
Reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 on May 26, 1986, and a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 13 in February 1993.
Became the youngest player to win a Wimbledon singles match in 1981, at 14 years and 91 days; the record stood until 1990.
Led the United States to the 2017 Billie Jean King Cup title in her first season as national captain.
Coached the United States women's tennis team at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Views
Rinaldi has expressed a coaching philosophy centered on supporting athletes, preserving their individual strengths, and helping tennis contribute to personal development. She has emphasized that effective coaching involves trust, long-term encouragement, and creating opportunities for players and coaches to grow.
Membership
Rinaldi represented the United States in the Wightman Cup in 1983, 1985, and 1986. Her later service as captain of the United States Billie Jean King Cup team placed her within the national team structure of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body responsible for American tennis development and competition.
Represented the United States team in 1983, 1985, and 1986.
Wightman Cup
,
United States
1983 - 1986
Personality
Rinaldi has been described by players and colleagues as dependable, supportive, inclusive, and strongly committed to American tennis. Her public work as a national-team captain and coach has emphasized player support, team unity, mentorship, and the development of younger athletes.
Physical Characteristics:
Rinaldi is 1.68 meters tall, or approximately 5 feet 6 inches.
Quotes from others about the person
Sloane Stephens described Rinaldi as a captain whose players knew she always supported them. Rinaldi has said that her 2017 Billie Jean King Cup victory was a major highlight of her career and that coaching should help players develop both as athletes and as people.
Interests
Coaching education, player development, and supporting women in high-performance tennis
Sport & Clubs
Tennis
Connections
Rinaldi married Brad Stunkel, her high-school sweetheart, on December 11, 1993, and adopted the surname Stunkel. They have a son, Bradley Benton Stunkel Jr., born on February 8, 1995. The family has been based in Palm City, Florida.
Rinaldi has also maintained documented professional connections with American players whom she coached or supported through the USTA, including Caty McNally, Samantha Crawford, Robin Montgomery, and Allie Kiick.
husband:
Brad Stunkel
Rinaldi's high-school sweetheart; they married on December 11, 1993.
