Gilchrist, who grew up in Alabama, made her grand slam main draw debut at the 1989 US Open.

A four-time All-American in both singles and doubles, she was also named Southwest Conference Player of the Year on three occasions.

During the final she upset higher ranked Stanford opponent Laxmi Poruri, then later in the doubles with Vickie Paynter won the match which secured the title.

As a doubles player she won six ITF titles and reached a best ranking of 120 in the world in 1994, her first full year on tour after college tennis.

The 1994 season, which was her last in professional tennis, included two doubles quarter-finals in WTA Tour tournaments, at Houston and Prague, both with Vickie Paynter.