Helga Niessen Masthoff

Who is Helga Niessen Masthoff?

Helga Niessen Masthoff is a former tennis player from West Germany. Her best Grand Slam singles tournament was when she reached the 1970 French Open final, losing to Margaret Court 6–2, 6–4. She won the German Open three consecutive years from 1972 through 1974, beating Martina Navratilova in the 1974 final 6–4, 5–7, 6–3. Masthoff was the runner-up at that tournament in 1971, losing to Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–2.

At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City when tennis was a demonstration sport, Masthoff won the singles and doubles gold medals and the silver medal in mixed doubles.

Masthoff teamed with Kathy Harter to reach the women's doubles final at the 1976 French Open, losing to the team of Fiorella Bonicelli and Gail Sherriff Lovera 6–4, 1–6, 6–3. Masthoff played on West Germany's Fed Cup team from 1965 to 1967, in 1969 and 1970, and from 1972 through 1977. Her overall win-loss record was 38–18, 23–10 in singles and 15–8 in doubles.

According to Bud Collins, Masthoff was ranked in the world top ten in 1970, 1971, and 1973, reaching a career high of World No. 6 in 1970.