Chris Grant Honored as Member of Swarthmore Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The National Women’s Tennis Organization proudly celebrates Christine “Chris” Grant on her induction into the Swarthmore College Garnet Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026—a recognition that honors an extraordinary collegiate athlete whose accomplishments spanned tennis, badminton, and field hockey.
A four-year tennis player and three-time captain at Swarthmore, Grant was primarily the first singles player in both tennis and badminton. Her collegiate record reflects remarkable consistency and versatility. She won 31 of 32 first-singles matches in badminton and captured the 1969 Philadelphia Women’s Intercollegiate Association singles championship. The tennis team compiled a 22-7 record during her four years, including a 7-1 mark in 1965-66, which remained Swarthmore women’s tennis’ best winning percentage for 47 years. She also helped lead the program to three Middle Atlantic Conference team championships.
Grant’s athletic achievements extended beyond the courts. As goalkeeper, she helped the 1966 field hockey team complete an unbeaten season, allowing just five goals while recording five shutouts in seven games. Her .71 goals-against average would rank among the finest marks in Swarthmore history.
Her achievements were recognized during her student years as well. Grant received the 1969 May E. Perry Award, the 1968 White Jacket Award for the outstanding junior woman three-sport athlete, and membership in a senior women’s honorary society. She also chaired the Women’s Athletic Association.
Grant’s excellence continued well beyond college. In 1999, she received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Rolex Lifetime Achievement Award, described by the ITA as its highest honor. At the time, she was only the fifth woman to receive the prestigious award. Today, she remains an accomplished senior tennis competitor, including a national No. 3 ranking in USTA Senior Women’s Doubles and seven medals—two silver and five bronze—at USTA Senior Women’s National Championships.
Grant’s induction also shines a light on the challenges faced by women athletes of her generation. In an era when women’s competitions received little publicity, schedules were considerably shorter, and athletic facilities were often unavailable to women, her accomplishments were achieved with remarkably limited resources. One former teammate recalled that the women’s tennis team could not use Swarthmore’s campus courts and instead had to cross Route 320 to practice and compete at a local high school.
Today, Chris Grant’s Hall of Fame induction provides an opportunity not only to celebrate an exceptional athlete, but also to recognize a generation of women who competed without the opportunities, resources, and visibility that female athletes have today.
The National Women’s Tennis Organization is especially proud to honor Grant as a colleague and fellow advocate for women’s tennis. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and as the co-chair of the organization’s Philanthropy Committee, continuing a lifetime of leadership and commitment to the sport.
Congratulations to Chris Grant, Swarthmore Hall of Fame Class of 2026!