juLY 2005

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Mary has made peace with herself and others.

The Poignant Life and Times of Mary Pierce

When she was just a girl, Mary Pierce was sent from America to Roland Garros to train. She didn’t speak a lick of French and often cried herself to sleep.
Now Roland Garros has become the Frenchwoman’s sanctuary, the place where she trains, prays and has had her most success. After an outstanding run to the final, which included inspiring wins over Vera Zvonareva, Patty Schnyder, Lindsay Davenport and Elena Likhovsteva, Pierce was blown out by Justine Henin-Hardenne. She was so upset by her failure to impress the French crowd in what was likely her last appearance in the RG final that she wept for four minutes on the podium.

“I had mixed emotions,” said Pierce. “I was sad that I lost and that the match went by so fast. But I was happy to be able to stand there for the third time. That’s unbelievable. I just get so happy to know I’ve come from where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. To think in my darkest moments that I’d be standing there again — that’s what kept motivating me, to play big matches in big tournaments.”

Eleven years ago as a spry 21-year-old, Pierce shocked Graf in the semis before being outlasted by Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the final. But she kept churning and in ‘00, put on her most rousing Slam performance ever, beating down Seles, Hingis and Conchita Martinez for the title. But just after that, she suffered a series of devastating injuries.

“It’s been difficult, but we’re never really faced with things we can’t handle,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been stretched to my limits, but that’s where you have the greatest growth.”

It was Pierce’s decision to return to Paris to train that arguably keyed her run. The month before the tournament, Pierce spent all of her time at Roland Garros when she wasn’t off playing events. Before the tournament began, the heavily religious Pierce asked officials to reserve a special spot for her in the locker room, where she could have some peaceful time and pray with her coach, and brother, David.

“It’s easy to be her coach, we’re brother and sister and we get along,” David told IT. “I’m here for her only. I think she became tired of just traveling with a stranger. And she knows I’m not interested in getting paid. It’s good to know the person that is with you is there for pure love.”

Pierce has come a long way since she first started on tour as a shy and confused girl who was under the dominating thumb of her abusive father and coach, Jim, who was once banned from the tour. She eventually broke away and took control of her life, involving herself in a long engagement with baseball player Roberto Alomar, which ended in a trying break-up. Before moving back to Paris (she also spends time at her home in Brandeton, Fla.), she also spent a lonely year living at a hotel in Amsterdam.

She and her brother have made up with their father and when they are in Florida, Mary will let him watch her practice and has lunch at his house almost every day. “He’s changed drastically,” David said. “He’s repentant. He’s a kinder, gentler person, and he’s in his twilight years.”

Pierce largely credits her faith for helping pull her through the bad times. She’s never stopped trying and now has a legitimate shot at ending the year in the top 10 again. “It’s been an interesting journey,” she said. “It’s been tough. I had some really difficult moments. [But] I had something inside when I had my injuries that was telling me, ‘You’re not done.’”

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