Cordwell was able to celebrate a single and two double titles on the WTA Tour . In 1988, she had to admit defeat in the first round of the British Sara Gomer at the Olympic Games . At the Australian Open in 1989 she was in the semifinals, but failed there because of Helena Suková . In the same year she reached her best world ranking position with number 17 .
From 1982 to 1991 she played for the New Zealand Fed Cup team , for which she contributed 14 wins in 15 defeats.
After her tennis career, she worked as a sports commentator, among other things.