Andrea Jaeger enjoyed a meteoric rise to tennis stardom in the early 1980s. She turned pro when she was 14 and reached her career-high ranking of #2 on the WTA tour at age 16. She was a Grand Slam finalist at both the French Open and Wimbledon and won the French Open Mixed doubles title partnered with Jimmy Arias. Unfortunately, her career was cut short by a shoulder injury at 19. That’s where her life story really begins.
First Service: Following God’s Calling and Finding Life’s Purpose is Jaeger’s memoir. It reflects not only on her time playing tennis but also her life of service, purpose, and spiritual calling. Her story is far less about tennis than it is about grace and identity beyond the sport. While fans of tennis history will find interest in her behind-the-scenes experiences on the WTA tour, the book’s central focus is on her spiritual journey that transcends her professional sports career.
While I was already familiar with the broad strokes of Jaeger’s religious convictions, First Service revealed that she didn’t come from a particularly religious family. Instead, her sense of faith and calling developed independently, beginning in childhood. Jaeger writes about feeling God’s presence and guidance from an early age. That spiritual instinct is a continuous thread throughout the memoir.
Jaeger writes candidly about the deep isolation of navigating the adult world of the pro tennis tour. Surrounded by competitors twice her age and far from home, she often felt alone and misunderstood. She highlights how Wendy Turnbull provided kindness and support when Jaeger needed it most. It’s a reminder that even small gestures of empathy and inclusion can have a lasting impact, especially on someone who feels out of place. In a memoir filled with spiritual reflection and service, that relationship stands out as a quiet but powerful example of how human kindness can truly make a difference.
Jaeger’s post-tennis story details the creation of the Silver Lining Foundation, which is now known as the Little Star Foundation. (If you feel moved to donate to this most worthy cause, be aware that alternative organizations are squatting on domain variations of the Silver Lining Foundation that are not associated with Jaeger’s organization. What a world we live in.)
What began as Jaeger’s personal mission to bring joy and comfort to seriously ill children evolved into a full-fledged charitable organization that has served thousands of young people. Jaeger exhibits a deep sense of empathy for the children she works with, many of whom face far more daunting challenges than anything she encountered on the tennis court. The foundation offers therapy programs, medical support, and educational scholarships. It is a profound expression of Jaeger’s belief that life’s hardships can be transformed into healing when approached with compassion and faith.
First Service: Following God’s Calling and Finding Life’s Purpose (<- Sponsored Link)
Andrea Jaeger’s story reminds us that sometimes life’s most meaningful victories don’t happen on court, but rather in quiet moments of service and the steadfast pursuit of purpose beyond personal achievement. First Service: Following God’s Calling and Finding Life’s Purpose is a testament to the idea that identity isn’t rooted in what we do, but in how we love, serve, and respond to the needs of others. Jaeger’s memoir offers a rare glimpse into the soul of someone who walked away from fame, not in defeat, but in pursuit of something greater.
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