Mercedes Paz

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events)
SexFemale
Full nameMaría Mercedes•Paz
Used nameMercedes•Paz
Born27 June 1966 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán (ARG)
Measurements178 cm / 74 kg
NOC Argentina

Biography

Mercedes Paz was an Argentine tennis player who played professionally from 1984 to 1998. Paz achieved a career-best singles ranking of #28 in the world in April 1991, and a doubles ranking of #12 in the world in September 1990.

Paz was primarily a doubles player, going on to win a total of 22 WTA doubles titles during her career. Her first doubles title came at the 1984 Japan Open when she and American Ronni Reis beat the Argentine duo of Emilse Longo and Adriana Villagrán in straight sets. Paz won three WTA singles titles with her first coming at the 1985 São Paulo Open in Brazil against Laura Arraya of Peru.

At Grand Slams Paz reached the doubles quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1990. The following year she reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and US Open. At the 1995 Pan American Games Paz won two gold medals; one in the doubles with Patricia Tarabini, and one in the team event.

Paz competed at three Olympic Games; 1984 Los Angeles, 1988 Seoul, and 1992 Barcelona. Her first Olympic appearance was when tennis was a demonstration sport, with Paz losing in the first round to Amanda Brown of Great Britain. In the doubles in Barcelona Paz and Patricia Tarabini reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they lost to Leila Meskhi and Natasha Zverava.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Tennis ARG Mercedes Paz
Singles, Women (Olympic (non-medal)) =17
1988 Summer Olympics Tennis ARG Mercedes Paz
Singles, Women (Olympic) =17
Doubles, Women (Olympic) Gabriela Sabatini =9
1992 Summer Olympics Tennis ARG Mercedes Paz
Singles, Women (Olympic) =33
Doubles, Women (Olympic) Patricia Tarabini =5

Special Notes