Laura Lou Bryan

Full name: Laura Lou Jahn
Alias: Bryan, Kunnen

Died
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Plays
Bio	Laura Lou Kunnen, a tennis icon from the 1950s whose love for the game spread to her six sons and one daughter, died after an 18-month battle with cancer. "She was an amazing lady and loved so much by her family," said her daughter-in-law, Bernadette Kunnen of Portland, Ore. "Her love of tennis was passed on to her children, and it is also continuing with her grandchildren." Mrs. Kunnen began playing national tournaments at age 12, despite opposition from some tournament directors and players who felt she was too young to compete. Still, she won five national titles before she turned 15. Taught by her father, Leslie Jahn, a tennis pro in South Orange, N.J., the tenacious youngster's successes landed her on the cover of numerous national magazines and newspapers. "Laura Lou was totally consumed by tennis from a very young age," said Bob Butterfield, tennis director at East Lake Woodlands Country Club, where Mrs. Kunnen was a member. "She was one of those people that was intent on educating her family to tennis. Laura Lou had a great feel for the game and was a top 10 player in her heyday." Her success in tennis included winning as many as 40 titles while still a teenager, a win over the great Maureen Connolly, and a trip to Wimbledon in 1960. After winning the Irish Open doubles title, Kunnen quit tennis in 1976 until 1990. 'I just wanted to get away from tennis," she said in an interview, "but I found I needed it. The game has had a tremendous impact on my life, and it teaches so many lessons that apply in life." Mrs. Kunnen resumed training for competition and had won several state tournaments before cancer halted her in 1999. Still, she could be found on the courts whenever she was able. Earlier this month, the USTA Florida Section unanimously elected Kunnen to the state organization's Hall of Fame in recognition of her tennis achievements and contributions to the game. Besides her husband of 50 years, Frank Kunnen, she leaves sons Frank "Chip" III and John, both of Palm Harbor, and Dennis of Portland, Ore., Michael of Port Charlotte, Guy Patrick of Dunedin and Bill of Clearwater and daughter Laura Lyons of Dunedin. Mrs. Kunnen is also survived by her mother, Lucy Meska of Largo, a sister, Gwynne Nave of Largo and 13 grandchildren.
Misc	Subscribe now

Tournament	AO	RG	W	US	Win-Loss
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		All-time					Amateur era					Open Era
		Total	A	R	W	U	Total	A	R	W	U	Total	A	R	W	U
1	GS Appearances	Subscribe now This information and data is not available because you are not our subscriber yet. Please click here and get full access to the entire database!
2	GS Matches
3	GS Appearances Representing The Same Nation
4	Represented different nations
5	Years Between 2 GS Appearances
6	Years Between The First And Last GS Appearance
7	Decades Between The First And Last GS Appearance
8	GS Final Appearances
9	GS Final Appearances Representing The Same Nation
10	Represented different nations in the GS Finals
11	Years Between 2 GS Final Appearances
12	Years Between The First And Last GS Final Appearance
13	Decades Between The First And Last GS Final Appearance
14	GS Titles