Kimiko Date

Kimiko Date is a former professional tennis player from Japan, known for her remarkable career and pioneering role for female athletes in her country. Born on September 28, 1970, Date turned professional in 1989 and achieved significant success throughout the 1990s, including reaching the semifinals of the French Open and the Australian Open. She was particularly noted for her powerful baseline game and speed on the court. After retiring in 1996, she made a comeback in 2008 and continued to compete until 2017, becoming a beloved figure in tennis. Date holds the record for being the oldest player to compete in the Australian Open at 44 years old, a record she set in 2015.