Career
Hanika turned professional in 1977. In 1981, Hanika reached the women's singles final at the French Open, where she was defeated 6–2, 6–4 by Hana Mandlíková. In 1982, Hanika posted the biggest win of her career when she defeated world No. 2 Martina Navratilova 1–6, 6–3, 6–4 in the final of the Avon Series Championships at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Garden was also the site of Hanika's last big singles win: a 6–4, 6–4 defeat of No. 3 Chris Evert in the first round of the Virginia Slims Championships in 1987. Hanika won her final top-level singles title in Athens, Greece in 1986. She retired from the tour in 1990, having won six professional singles titles and one doubles title. Between serves she was known to bounce the ball more than anyone tennis commentator and historianMajor finals
Grand Slam final
Singles: 1 (0 titles, 1 runner–up)
Year-End Championships final
Singles: 1 (1 title, 0 runners-up)
WTA career finals
Singles: 24 (6–18)
Doubles: 3 (1–2)
Grand Slam singles performance timeline
Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.See also
* Performance timelines for all female tennis players who reached at least one Grand Slam finalReferences
External links
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hanika, Sylvia 1959 births Living people Tennis players from Munich German female tennis players German expatriates in Spain West German female tennis players Olympic tennis players of West Germany Tennis players at the 1988 Summer Olympics