Corina Morariu has become an inspiration to many both off and on the tennis court. Over the course of her professional career, she accumulated 13 doubles titles and 1 singles title on the WTA Tour. She captured the 1999 Wimbledon doubles championship with her partner Lindsay Davenport. She was the world's #1 ranked doubles player in 2000 and held a career high singles ranking of #29. She also captured the 2001 Australian Open Mixed doubles title with Ellis Feriera. She was a member of the 1998 United States Fed Cup Team and has numerous wins over Top Ten singles players, including Jennifer Capriati.
Corina's battles, however, were not limited to the tennis court. At age 23, just five years after she turned pro, she was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocitic Leukemia. She was hospitalized and endured nine months of intense chemotherapy. During this trying time, she was able to maintain a positive attitude and made it her mission to survive the disease and return to professional tennis. Armed with a new perspective and a strong desire to succeed in her sport once again, she slowly started training once her cancer was in remission. She was able to return to the tour in July of 2002 (just 14 months after being diagnosed). Her determination and courage were rewarded on many fronts. In 2002, she received the inaugural Corina Morariu Courage Award, an award which has subsequently been given out to others who have demonstrated courage while facing adversity. She was also the recipient of the 2003 WTA Tour Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Corina's return to tennis was hampered by shoulder surgery in late 2002 and yet another surgery in 2004. The combination shelved her singles career, yet Corina remained undeterred. She was determined to continue her tennis career, although in a slightly different capacity, by just concentrating on playing doubles. She re-teamed with her former partner and best friend, Lindsay Davenport and made the final of the 2005 Australian Open Women's Doubles for the second time. The first time was in 2001, four months before her diagnosis. She also went on to represent the United States in Fed Cup competition in 2005.
In September 2007, Corina retired from professional tennis playing her final match in the quarterfinals of the 2007 US Open with Meghann Shaughnessy.
Currently, Corina serves as the first International Sports Ambassador for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and speaks at many of their functions. Corina is committed to sharing her personal story of triumphing over cancer in order to provide hope and inspiration to others.
Corina Morariu, Tennis Champion and Cancer Survivor, is available through IMG Speakers Bureau for speaking engagements. Corina Morariu is also available for corporate hospitality events, business seminars, tennis outings and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Corina Morariu.
