(Born April 3, 1971) Oregon’s greatest tennis success came from the Rogue Valley in the late 80’s and became one of the most dominant doubles players of his era.
Jonathan Stark emerged as a force when he won the state singles championship as a sophomore at South Medford High School in 1986. He would repeat that achievement as a senior, bound for Stanford.
The Rogue Valley may not have been known as a tennis hotbed, but Stanford certainly was and Stark thrived down on the farm. He would earn All-America recognition in both singles and doubles and advanced to the 1991 NCAA doubles final teamed with Jared Palmer. Palmer would be the first of several doubles partners who would share professional titles with the everblooming Stark.
After turning pro, it would take just three years for Stark to climb to #1 in the doubles rankings. Now teamed with Byron Black, Stark took the French Open crown. A year later, a very special pairingwith women’s legend Martina Navratilova led to a Wimbledon mixed doubles crown.
In singles and doubles combined, Stark won 439 matches and 19 titles in his 10 year career and represented his country in the Davis Cup 6 times.
Jonathan has also used his tennis skills to raise awareness and thousands of dollars for charity.