Fran Chandler was born in Jackson, Tennessee. Except for her college years, she has lived there all her life. She attended Jackson Central-Merry High School were she was runner-up in the TSSAA State Singles tournament in 1980…the beginnings of a great amateur tennis career.

She began her college career at Murray State University in the fall of 1980 and played both singles and doubles at #1. Her regular season and tournament record that first year was 52-6 in singles.

She was Female Athlete of the Year while at Murray State. In 1981, she transferred to the University of Mississippi where she was named All-SEC in 1983 and 1984. She was also named Ole Miss Female Athlete of the Year in 1984.

In 1985 she married Willie Chandler. Together they won the Equitable National Husband/Wife Mixed Doubles in 1987.

Her senior tennis career began when she moved into the 30 and over division. Since then she has won three national championships (1980, 2001, 2003), finished 2nd ten times and 3rd place seven times. Most recently she finished 2nd in singles at the National Hard Courts 45 and over.

Chandler is currently ranked #3 nationally in 45 and over singles. She has been ranked in the top 5 in each of the last 5 years in her age division. In 2005 she was ranked #1 in the 40 and over division. She has been ranked in the top ten for the past 14 years.

Chandler began international play in 2003 when she was chosen to represent the USA in the World Cup Competition as a member of the Young Cup Team. She won three of her four team matches played in Germany as her team defeated Austria in the finals to become world champions.

In 2004, she was selected again to play for the Young Cup in Turkey. The team finished third and Chandler won all three of her matches in the event. In 2006, she was picked to captain the Margaret Court Cup Team in the 45 and over division. The event was held in South Africa and Chandler won all four of her matches as the team defeated Australia for the championship.

Between tournaments, travel and practice, Chandler has continued to serve her community of Jackson as a full time pharmacist for 21 years.