Career
Balestrat began playing tennis at the age of seven. She left school at the age of 16 to play in international tournaments. She turned pro in 1973 and joined the Women's Tennis Association Tour.
At the age of 17 she already actively participated in the professional tennis circuit, winning the singles title at a dozen tournaments in 1973, although the rules at the time did not permit prize money to be paid out to participants under 18 years of age.
She reached the finals of the Australian Open in January 1977, losing to fellow Australian Kerry Melville Reid. She was a semifinalist twice at the French Open, in 1979 and 1980.
She also reached the semifinals of the United States Open in 1976. 4 in 1979. She had career wins over Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Margaret Court, Virginia Wade, Pam Shriver, and Gabriela Sabatini.
She holds an 8–7 career record over King.
Singles: (1 runners-up)
Doubles: (1 title)
Mixed doubles: (1 runner-up)
A = did not participate in the tournament. New Hampshire = tournament not held.