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The big 125 anniversary list for women's tennis

31K views 34 replies 8 participants last post by  d_91804 
#1 · (Edited)
As some of you may know, this July marked the 125th anniversary of women's tournament tennis. So, in order to celebrate that, I decided to compile a historical account of women's tennis over those 125 years. It is a look at all of the champions, personalities, and events that have shaped the history of women's tennis. And while I could not go into as much detail as each entry deserved, for the sake of brevity, I feel I've been pretty thorough. Think of each entry as a "Reader's Digest" version, whetting your appetite for more involved discussions, both here, and in our excellent (plug) Blast From The Past forum.

I had intended to complete this in July, but I underestimated the work involved, and overestimated the time I would have, and didn't expect several other events. So, here it is, late, but hopefully worth the wait. I wanted to get it done before the YEC, or on the day they started. I may yet accomplish that goal. And while I was rushing to finish this thread, I thought, why worry if it isn't 100% finished, or if I don't have as much as I want. This is a thread, not a published article. If more info comes up later, I can always edit. So instead of worrying about completing "my" thread, I open it to all of your contributions as well. Any interesting facts and tidbits can be added in later, to make it an evolving history.

And yes, some info has been omitted for the sake of making it manageable. Legends such as Navratilova, Graf, Evert, Court, King, etc., could easily take up an entire thread on their own (and do, in BFTP). So I've listed some of their highest highlights. If you feel I've shortchanged a player, it is purely unintentional. This thread is not intended to elevate any great above any other. It is merely a (largely) chronological history of women's tennis. Do take note, however, that every player who has won a Grand Slam title of any kind is included in this thread. So enjoy, discuss, and honor the people and events that have shaped this sport we love.

Index: in the listing of GS (Grand Slam) titles won, they are abbreviated in order of tournament (Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US) then event (Singles, Doubles, and Mixed).

Also note: where I don't specify men's or women's tennis, assume I'm refering to the women's tour.
 
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#27 · (Edited)
And that will do it. Again, it's not as detailed as I would have liked and, with more time, I could have found a few more interesting tidbits-- in time for the 150th anniversary. As it is, it provides a nice little stroll through the history of women's tennis. I tried to pick interesting items for the "did you know" segments; ones which would often have even us historians saying "I didn't know that".

Should you find any factual errors, speak up and I'll correct them. I tried to be as accurate as possible, but in something of this scope, with the rush of the last few days, there are bound to be a couple of mistakes (or at least typos). Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed this little tribute. :)
 
#28 ·
Brian Stewart said:
56. Maria Bueno
GS titles won: A-D-1960; F- D-1960; M-1960; W- S- 1959, 60, 64; D- 1959, 60, 63, 65, 66; U- S- 1959, 63, 64, 66; D- 1960, 62, 66, 68

Serve/volley player from Brazil, known for her grace on court. Was the first South American to win Wimbledon. Also talented in doubles, she won the Grand Slam in doubles in 1960. Her career was marred by several injuries, but she still accumulated a Hall of Fame resumé. She returned to action in the 1970's on the WTA Tour.

Did you know: Bueno was the first player to win a grand slam singles championship while wearing color tennis panties.

57. Margaret Smith Court
GS titles won: A- S- 1960-66, 69-71, 73; D- 1961-63, 65, 69-71, 73; M- 1963, 64; F- S- 1962, 64, 69, 70, 73; D- 1964-66, 73; M- 1963-65, 69; W- S- 1963, 65, 70; D- 1964, 69; M- 1963, 65, 66, 68, 75; U- S- 1962, 65, 69, 70, 73; D- 1963, 68, 70, 73, 75; M- 1961-65, 69, 70, 72

All time record holder for most slam titles in singles and overall. She won the calendar Grand Slam in singles in 1970 and mixed in 1963. Was the second player ever to win a calendar slam in singles, and second ever to complete the full set of slam titles in a career, and the first to win every slam title more than once. Shares the record for most consecutive slam singles titles won with 6. Won the "triple crown" at the Australian in 1963, the French in 1964, and the US in 1970. Despite a couple of maternity breaks, was able to return to the top of the sport. Records were spotty for her era, but is believed to have win and title totals similar to Navratilova's. (A tally by the Blast folks had her at over 190 career singles titles, although it's unclear how many would be considered "tour level".) Was one of the first woman players to work hard on physical conditioning, training with the Aussie men.

Did you know-- Court lost in the 1960 Australian junior girls competition 2 days before winning the women's singles title.

58. Billie Jean King
GS titles won: A- S-1968; M-1968; F- S-1972; D-1972; M- 1967, 70; W- S- 1966-68, 72, 73, 75; D- 1961, 62, 65, 67, 68, 70-73, 79; M- 1967, 71, 73, 74; U- S- 1967, 71, 72, 74; D- 1964, 67, 74, 78, 80; M- 1967, 71, 73, 76

Tennis legend around whom the modern tour was built in 1970. In addition to having a hand in founding what would become the WTA Tour, she also founded World Team Tennis and the Women's Sports Foundation. Won a record 20 Wimbledon titles. Won the triple crown at Wimbledon in 1967 and 1973, and the US in 1967. Partnered Owen Davidson to the last three legs of his mixed Grand Slam in 1967. She won a non-calendar mixed Grand Slam in 1967-68. In her first full year on the world circuit, after finishing college, she won her first GS singles title and finished at #1. A rare player to win a slam title in 3 different decades. She competed in slam singles draws in 4 different decades. Was oldest player to win a WTA Tour singles title. Was one of the first woman players to work out with weights.

Did you know-- King's younger brother is former San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt.

59. Adrienne Shirley "Ann" Haydon Jones
GS titles won: F- S- 1961, 66; D- 1963, 68, 69; W- S-1969; M-1969

One of the last great British players, and the last to hold the #1 ranking. She retired after finally winning Wimbledon in 1969.

Did you know-- the BBC forced Jones to remove a Pepsi logo from her bag before the 1969 Wimbledon final, and the AELTC threatened to disqualify her.

60. Lesley Turner
GS titles won: A- D- 1964, 65, 67; M- 1962, 67; F- S- 1963, 65; D- 1964-66; W- D-1964; M- 1961, 64; U-D-1961
Ann Jones was the first woman to win the Wimbledon women's singles playing left-handed.

Lesley Turner won all three titles at the Italian Championships in 1967, including the mixed with her husband, Bill Bowrey.

In 1964, Maria Bueno joined Lenglen and Wills as the third woman to win both Wimbledon and the US Championship three times.
 
#34 ·
That was an awesome read!
Though I would have thought that Gabriela Sabatini would have deserved a paragraph.
 
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