Jim Pierce is the father and former coach of tennis star Mary Pierce.
Jim introduced his daughter to tennis at the age of 10 (a relatively late age for a future professional). Just two years later, Mary won the US national 12-and-under junior title. In 1989, she became the youngest American player to make her debut on the professional tour, aged 14 years and 2 months (this record was broken the following year by Jennifer Capriati).
During her...
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Jim Pierce is the father and former coach of tennis star Mary Pierce.
Jim introduced his daughter to tennis at the age of 10 (a relatively late age for a future professional). Just two years later, Mary won the US national 12-and-under junior title. In 1989, she became the youngest American player to make her debut on the professional tour, aged 14 years and 2 months (this record was broken the following year by Jennifer Capriati).
During her first few years as a professional player, Mary Pierce was known more for the behaviour of her father than for her performances on court. Jim, who was Mary's coach, often shouted abuse at her opponents during matches. On one occasion when he was sitting in the stands, he famously screamed: "Mary, kill the bitch!" He was also reportedly often verbally and physically abusive to Mary during practice sessions and after defeats. Jim was ejected from the French Open in 1993 after he punched a spectator, following which he was banned from all Women's...
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