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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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Former Tennis Prodigy Finds Purpose as Nun

Andrea Jaeger helps child athletes, cancer, and abuse victims

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(Newser) – The world met her as a plucky 14-year-old tennis phenom with pigtails, a bratty star who fought her way to No. 2 in the world rankings. But that early success came with a heavy pricetag, and Andrea Jaeger has found her place as an Anglican Dominican nun, the Washington Post reports, devoting life and fortune to helping kids with cancer, child athletes, and child abuse victims.

Jaeger was scarred by a childhood lived hotel-to-hotel, coached by a distant, abusive father. Today’s prodigies have more advisers and agents, but “they are not being nurtured or protected,” Jaeger says. So she’s worked with tennis groups, and urged US Olympic officials to provide greater emotional and spiritual care for athletes. “I’m not saying I’m a well-balanced human being,” she says. “I just know I love what I do. I have peace.”

Andrea Jaeger, a 15-year-old American player, on the Centre Court at Wimbledon where she beat Britain's Virginia Wade in two sets.
Andrea Jaeger, a 15-year-old American player, on the Centre Court at Wimbledon where she beat Britain's Virginia Wade in two sets.   (Getty Images)
2nd July 1980: 15-year-old American tennis player Andrea Jaeger.
2nd July 1980: 15-year-old American tennis player Andrea Jaeger.   (Getty Images)
Tennis great Andrea Jaeger talks to attendees at a panel discussion on sports charities during the 2009 SportAccord gathering in Denver, Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
Tennis great Andrea Jaeger talks to attendees at a panel discussion on sports charities during the 2009 SportAccord gathering in Denver, Wednesday, March 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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3 comments
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RobN
May 26, 09 2:29 PM CDT
There's a story you don't read everyday. Reply
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SPH
May 26, 09 4:43 PM CDT
Good for her.....This world needs more compassion....... Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 26, 09 10:31 PM CDT
So then... life in the glamorous world championship tennis circuit is abusive and ruins people? Hm mm... must be a lot more to Andrea's story to explain why the life of a celebrity tennis player was so tough on her. Reply
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