WTA: Mary Pierce: Heavenly Life as a Missionary

On her way to becoming a professional tennis player, Mary Pierce was mistreated and threatened by her pathologically ambitious father. Today, the French woman is at peace with her world – faith has grounded her.

Mary Pierce made herself scarce. Since the two-time Grand Slam winner had to abruptly end her career in 2006 because of a torn cruciate ligament, public appearances have become a rarity. For her friend Martina Hingis, however, the 42-year-old has gladly postponed her return trip to Mauritius by one week.

“With her I won the double title in Roland Garros in 2000 after the singles, which was very special for me”, Pierce told the Swiss daily newspaper Blick at her former companion’s farewell gala in Zurich.

The missionary of the Mauritian church Church Team Ministries has long since shifted her life to the island paradise in the Indian Ocean:”I live in a beautiful house in the hills on the west coast of Mauritius, where I am grateful every day for the beautiful view of the sea. Not on a remote farm – this is one of the many false reports about me in recent years.”

Pierce missionized across Africa after the end of her long professional career. If I hadn’t got to know God, I would have become a drug addict or an alcoholic,”said the former tennis diva.

The disturbed relationship with her now deceased father had left traces. Jim Pierce wanted to make his daughter the next tennis star with brutal methods. “I love my father, I don’t have anything against him.”

The tennis player Pierce, as a TV and radio commentator, has also remained in good spirits. She also made her debut this year as vice captain of the French Fed Cup team alongside Yannick Noah. It’s all a question of the right balance.