The 2003 BallenIsles Grandes Dames was played the 7-11 of January at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

In the 35's, the star of the event was former Wimbledon champion, Jana  Novotna, who cruised into the final to face Renata Marcinkowska, the top ranked (by the ITF) player in the world in the 35's. On a very windy day (30mph), Novotna had little trouble hitting through the wind. After a competitive first set, she finished emphatically, winning 63 61 and raising her arms in triumph at the end. Marcinkowska had a measure of revenge in the doubles, teaming with Mary Dailey to face Novotna/Alina Baraldi. Novotna/Baraldi won the first set but trailed 0-4 in the 2nd when they retired (Sullivan had a back injury.) Robin Keener took third in singles and doubles (with Caryn Krasner).

In the 45's, Diane Fishburne again played well to win the singles. She beat Karen Hausman in the semis in the wind in the semis. The first set was hard fought, but Fishburne was too strong in the 2nd, winning 63 61. The 2nd seed, Carolyn Nichols, fought past Lil Peltz, a much improved Tracy Viebrock and Sherri Bronson (76 (9) 61, t he first set took longer than the entire Fishburne/Hausman match) before falling to Fishburne in the final. Hausman placed third, Viebrock 5th and Peltz-Petow won the consolation.

In doubles, Bronson/Kathy Foulk upheld their top seeding, but not easily. They dropped the first set of all 3 of their matches, edging Cindy LePrevost/Peltz-Petow in the quarters 75 in the third; again dropping the first set to Frances O'Sullivan/Judy Stiff before winning the match, and sneaking past Lu Fendig/Kerry Young 46 76 60. They just wore out Fendig/Young, with their lobs and poaches. Fendig/Young played great, hardly missing a serve or lob (on a windy day too) in the semis against Mary Ginnard/Nichols. Ginnard/Nichols placed third.

IN the 55's, Margaret Russo played perfectly all week, beating her doubles partner, Trish Faulkner 61 62 in the final and combing with Faulkner to beat Jan Dennis/Janet Harpold in the doubles finals. Dennis/Harpold upset the 2nd seeds, Carol Clay/Ellen Goodman in the semis. Clay took third in singles, edging Goodman (who beat the 4th seed, Judy Wirsing, in 3 sets/4 hours in the quarters).

65 singles: Inge Weber of Canada beat Dori deVries in the singles final, the third year the 2 have contested this final. Ria Graham upset Carol Wood in the quarters before falling to Weber. deVries beat Julia Denny in the other semi. Graham placed third.

The doubles was won by the unseeded team of Wasser/Weiss, who upset top seeded deVries/Gunderson (1-0, ret inj, Gunderson pulled a calf muscle) and 4th seeded Graham/Mary Ann Plante in the final 76 61. Graham/Plante won a marathon against Weber/Wood, 57 76 75.

In the 75's, June Dickey upset Louise Owen in the round of 16 before falling to Diane Hoffman in the semis. Hoffman then lost to Louise Russ in the semis 62 63. Elaine Mason and Betty Eisenstein staged another of their 3-set matches, this year in the semis, and Mason won again, 63 57 62...lots of dropshots in that match. Mason, the top seed, fought hard but Russ, new to the 75's, prevailed 63 in the third. Eisenstein placed third.

The doubles final was so close, and really like 2 matches. Dickey/Mason, holders of 4 consecutive golden slams (they do not like to lose), let Owen/Russ 76 51 but were unable to close the door on their younger opponents. Owen/Russ finally prevailed 67 76 63, but never had a match point against them. Eva Barbiero/Hoffman placed third.

Dodo won the 85 singles. She and Jean Selvig won the doubles also.