Dunlop British Open PROFILES

 
 VANESSA ATKINSON

Country:                      Netherlands
Date of birth:               10th March 1976
Place of birth:              Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England
Place of residence:       The Hague, Netherlands
Marital status:              Single
Highest world ranking:  No.1 (July 2006)
World Tour titles:         19
World Tour finals:        31
 

VANESSA ATKINSON, although born in Newcastle, England, came through the Dutch junior system and has since become a star in her adopted homeland by winning seven Dutch national titles to establish herself as the country’s most successful player.

Vanessa achieved a significant breakthrough on the World Tour in 2000 when she won her first international title as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the British Open for the first time with victory over top seed and World Champion Cassie Jackman.

Despite squandering two match points against Rachael Grinham in the semi-finals of the 2004 British Open, Vanessa enjoyed a remarkable year of consistency, winning eight World Tour titles as well as being crowned World Open Champion.

Like so many champions, her late twenties have seen her add more discipline to her undoubted talent and a further impressive sequence of achievements in 2005 was rewarded with the popular Dutch star being ranked World No.1.