Tennis Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Biographies of Female Tennis Players

2 reading
Jump to Latest
4,161 - 4,180 of 5,520 Posts
#4,161 · (Edited by Moderator)
NORRIS, SOPHIE (Sophie Beauveau Norris)
United States
Born 28 August 1889 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died 01 January 1960 in Santa Barbara, California
[Active in 1915]

Competed at the 1915 US Nationals.

Sophie died in California but is buried in Philadelphia near her parents.

Sources:

Evening public ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, June 10, 1915, Final, Image 16 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress [has a photo of Miss Norris from 1915]


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=135583721&ref=acom
 
#4,162 · (Edited by Moderator)
JOHNSTON, EDNA (nee Edna A. Robinson)
United States
Born circa 1888 in Pennsylvania
Died after 1963
Married Owen Dean Johnston in 1914
Name Variant: Her name is sometimes rendered as Johnson.
[Active in 1915]

Competed at the 1915 US Nationals as Mrs O. D. Johnston. Edna played for the Belfield CC.

The census tells us her parents were born in England and she was born in Pennsylvania. Sons Owen (born in 1916) and George (born in 1918)

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lc...e=range&page=1
 
#4,163 · (Edited by Moderator)
BUNDY, SARAH (Bundy, Sarah Elizabeth)
United States
Born 9 October 1888 in California
Died 23 June 1940 in Los Angeles, California
Did not marry.
[Active circa 1905-10]

Popularly known as "Sadie", this player was the daughter of Nathan Bundy and Harriet Bundy (née Smith) and the sister of fellow lawn tennis player Thomas Bundy. Sadie was a schoolteacher by profession (and later vice principal of a high school in California).

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,165 · (Edited by Moderator)
#4,167 · (Edited by Moderator)
SAYRES, MAY (nee May Sayres)
United States
Born 1891 in Haverford, Pennsylvania
Died ???? in Richmond, Virginia
Married S Carey Potter between June 1912 and June of 1914-divorced between 1920 and 1930
[Active 1907-1914]

1907 US Nationals Mixed Doubles champion with Wallace Johnson.

May represented Merion Cricket Club as a participant at the 1907 US Nationals. The Sayres family founded Merion CC. She was the club champion at Merion in 1913.

She played the 1912 US Nationals as May Sayres. As Mrs S Carey Potter she played the 1914 US Women's Nationals. Thus shw as wed between these dates.

Daughter Mary born in 1919.

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,168 · (Edited by Moderator)
KNABENSHUE, "OLIVE" (nee Catherine Kaye Olive Parr)
United States
Born ????
Died 1962 in England
Married Paul Knabenshue (1883-1942) on 12 July 1911 in Ireland
[Active in 1914]

Mrs Knabenshue=Mrs Paul Knabenshue. Paul was in the US State Department and stationed in Cairo as Vice-Consul in 1914.
https://books.google.com/books?id=7z...201914&f=false
http://prabook.com/web/person-view.h...fileId=1061318

This would make her Catherine Kaye Olive Parr. Her US passport indicates she went by "Olive."

She was a native of Hollywood, Ireland. The couple met in Ireloand where Paul was on a diplomatic post.

1914 doubles finalsit at the Khedivial Sporting Club in Cairo, Egypt

A short description of the Khedival event tells us, "in the ladies' doubles Mrs. Luard and Mrs. R. Carver easily beat Mrs. Paxton and Mrs. Knabenshue, two of the most powerful hitters among ladies in the whole tournament." (Lawn Tennis and Badminton)

She had two childen: Paul Davis and Iona Iona Macdonnell.

Sources:

Lawn Tennis and Badminton, April 16, 1914, pp. 420-421

https://books.google.com/books?id=R...IkKq2keXOAhUFOCYKHVlmD84Q6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=Catherine Kaye Olive Parr&f=false

http://prabook.com/web/person-view.html?profileId=1061318#

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,169 · (Edited by Moderator)
WILKINSON, FLORENCE (nee Florence Annie Nelson)
Great Britain
Born circa 1880
Died ???? (probably before 1958)
Married Reginald Court Wilkinson on 16 January 1912 in Paddington.
[Active in 1914]

Her date of birth comes from the 1911 census. The place of birth was Timberley, Cheshire (also in Middlesex?) She is listed as living with the family of her future husband.

Reginald Wilkinson's of October 1958 does not mention his wife.

We are still in search of a full name for Mrs E.F. Wilkinson, as she and Mrs RC Wilkinson are two distinct individuals.

Sources:

1914 results

[Thanks to Rollo and Wolbo for this information]
 
#4,170 · (Edited by Moderator)
WILKINSON, Mrs E. F. (nee ????)
Great Britain (England)
[Active in 1914]

Winner of the 1914 April 11-14, North of England Hard Court Championships at Scarborough. She beat Mary Welsh 6-3 3-6 6-2

Lawn Tennis and Badminton tells us all we know of Mrs E. F. Wilkinson.

"The second Easter hard court tournament at Scarborough was an unqualified success, the entry showing a great increase in numbers over the preceding year; this being so, it was extremely fortunate that the players and executive alike were favoured with the most delightful weather imaginable..."

"The ladies' singles created a surprise, for few people expected that Mrs. Robin Welsh, the holder, would be seriously extended. Not only was she extended, but in the final round she was beaten by Mrs. E.F. Wilkinson of Northamptonshire. The winner closely approximates to a one-shot player, that shot being a forehand drive, but when she can bring the stroke into action she is difficult to beat, for this shot is forceful in the extreme. Mrs. Welsh found the surface of the court uncongenial for her undercut service, which keeps so low on the clinging grass surface and skids so uncannily on wood. The rubble surface had the effect of slowing down the ball at the pitch and inviting a punch—and Mrs. Wilkinson punched. From the point of view of tactics, Mrs. Welsh was by far the better player, but she seemed unable to get enough pace on her shots to attack Mrs. Wilkinson's backhand, with the result that the flow of hard drives was sufficient to secure a victory for the less fancied player in a three set match."

Source: Lawn Tennis and Badminton, April 23, 1914, pp. 443

[Thanks to Rollo and Wolbo for this information]
 
#4,171 · (Edited by Moderator)
PITTS, MARIAN (Marian Hopkins Pitts)
Canada
Born 20 July 1884 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Died 11 April 1961 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Did not marry.
[Active circa 1905-14]

Marian was the daughter of Sidney Pitts, a wholesale merchant, and Margaret Pitts (née Williams); both of her parents were immigrants form England. Her first name is sometimes spelt "Marion", but most official sources, including the Censii of Canada, list it as Marian.

Sister of fellow lawn tennis players Ethel Pitts.

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,172 · (Edited by Moderator)
PITTS, ETHEL (Ethel Margaret Pitts)
Canada
Born 30 July 1882 in Victoria, British Columbia
Died 23 January 1961 in Sussex, England
Married Thomas B. Pemberton on 11 September 1919 in Victoria, British Columbia
[Active circa 1900-10]

Sister of fellow lawn tennis player Marian Pitts.

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,173 · (Edited by Moderator)
ZVONAREVA, VERA (Vera Igorevna Zvonareva) (Russian: Ве́ра И́горевна Звонарёва)
Russia
Born 07 September 1984
Married Aleksandr Kucher on 23 August 2016
Height: 5' 7 3/4" (1.72 m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 1999-2015, 2017-present]

A talented Russian often undone by her emotions on court. Officially retired in August 2016, she has recently rejoined the tour without reaching her former level of success.

2010 Wimbledon and US Open finalist. That year was the height of her career, as she reached #2 on the WTA computer. Other highlights were
getting to the finals of the 2008 WTA Tour Championships and becoming a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A 4 time slam winner in doubles, twice in mixed (2004 US Open with Bob Byran and 2006 Wimbledon with Andy Ram); and twice in doubles in capturing the 2006 US Open beside Nathalie Dechy plus the 2012 Australian with fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Introduced to tennis at the age of six by her mother Natalia, who had been an Olympic bronze medalist in field hockey.

Earned two degrees (one from Russian State Academy of Physical Education, the second in international economic relations at Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Moscow) .

In August of 2016 Vera announced to the world a trifecta of news all at once: her retirement, a marriage, and the fact that she had recently become a mother to a daughter named Elina.

Vera returned to the tour in 2017. She has had limited success-an ITF title in Sharm El Sheikh in 2017 and a tour level doubles title in St. Petersburg.

Career Statistics

Singles Won/Lost: 476 - 232
Doubles Won/Lost: 174-117

Career Titles

SINGLES
Winner (12 WTA and 2 ITF): 2011 - Doha, Baku; 2010 - Pattaya City; 2009 - Pattaya City, Indian Wells; 2008 - Prague, Guangzhou; 2006 - Birmingham, Cincinnati; 2005 - Memphis; 2004 - Memphis; 2003 - Bol. 2001; ITF Naples. 2000; ITF Moscow.

Finalist (18): 2011 - Carlsbad, Tokyo [Pan Pacific]; 2010 - Charleston, Wimbledon, Montréal, US Open, Beijing; 2008 - Hobart, Doha, Charleston, Moscow, Linz, WTA Finals; 2007 - Auckland; 2006 - Auckland; 2004 - Cincinnati, Philadelphia; 2002 - Palermo.

DOUBLES

Winner (8): 2018-St. Petersburg (w/Bacsinszky), Moscow River Cup (w/Potapova); 2012 - Australian Open (w/Kuznetsova); 2009 - Indian Wells (w/Azarenka); 2006 - Auckland (w/Likhovtseva), US Open (w/Dechy); 2005 - Berlin (w/Likhovtseva); 2004 - Moscow (w/Myskina).

Finalist (6): 2010 - Wimbledon (w/Vesnina); 2008 - Stanford (w/Vesnina); 2005 - Eastbourne, Stanford (both w/Likhovtseva); 2004 - Memphis (w/Sharapova); 2003 - Moscow (w/Myskina).

MIXED DOUBLES
Winner (2): 2006 - Wimbledon (w/Ram); 2004 - US Open (w/B.Bryan).

ADDITIONAL
Russian Fed Cup Team, 2003-04, 2008, 2011; Russian Olympic Team, 2008, 2012.

Rankings:

Career high singles: #2 on 25 October 2010
Career high doubles: #9 on 08 August 2005

2017: #204
2016: off the tour
2015: #182
2014: #251
2013: off the tour due to shoulder surgery.
2012: #98 (ranking drops partly due to respiratory illness in 2nd half of year)
2011: #7
2010: #2
2009: #9
2008: #7
2007: #23
2006: #24
2005: #42 (# 10 in doubles)
2004: #11
2003: #13
2002: #45
2001: #371
2000: #357

Image


An emotional player who often let out her emotions on court

Image


2009 Australian doubles winner with Kuznetsova over Vinci and Errani

Image


Sources:

Players | WTA Tennis English

Vera Zvonareva - Official website about Russian tennis player | Vera Zvonareva - Official website about Russian tennis player [Vera's official website]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Zvonareva

Zoom-Zoom Zvonareva - TennisForum.com

https://www.tennisforum.com/333-zoom-zoom-zvonareva/100939-vera-zvonareva-picture-thread.html [over 250 pages of photos]

Vera Zvonareva Faces Daunting Comeback With Courage


[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,174 · (Edited by Moderator)
DUKEMINIER, "TEDDY" (nee Ethel Roosevelt Suggs)
United States
Born 05 May 1908 in Belton, Texas
Died 12 October 1986 in Ardmore, Oklahoma
Married (1) John Price Dukeminier (1904-1998) in 1924. They had 3 children. Later divorced as John remarried on 01 January 1953.
Married (2) Elmo D. Reed (1900) on January 8, 1970 in Denton, Texas.
[Active 1954-1963]

A player active mainly in the midwest US, Teddy got to play mixed doubles at the 1956 US Nationals.

Her obit from the Oklahoman

Teddy E. Dukeminier

Published: October 14, 1986

DUKEMINIER Teddy E., of Ardmore, died Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12, 1986. Born in Belton TX., she grew up in Wellington and was the seventh child of the W.W. Sugg family. She was a resident of OKC for over 40 years and moved to Ardmore 2 years ago. She was active in tennis and tennis associations. She held numerous trophies and awards, covering womens singles, doubles and mixed doubles, received over 25 years of playing.

Tournaments of the state and region included Ft. Worth/Dallas, Missouri Valley, Amarillo and Kansas City. Her last tournament played was at Wellington TX. in 1977, winning mixed doubles. She was a founding member of the OKC Tennis Assn. and served in various offices. She was also active in Okla. State Tennis Assn. In 1956-57, she served as Miss Semi-Centennial, representing Okla. as Goodwill Ambassador. She was a member of Big Sisters, the Hospitality Club of OKC, Daughters of the Nile, and the Okla. County Democratic Women's Club. Services will be at St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Ardmore, 11am Wednesday, with the Rev. Dr. Arlen L. Fowler officiating. She is survived by her daughter, Bettye C. Brown of Ardmore; son, John W. Dukeminier of Pocatello ID.; 2 sisters, Mary Clay of Amarillo TX. and Jessie Crawford of Sulphur OK.;

2 brothers, J.D. Sugg of Houston and Calvin Sugg of Wellington TX.; 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Ardmore Village of Omnia, Inc., 2401 Village Lane, Ardmore 73401, where Teddy enjoyed friendship and fellowship in recent years. Services conducted by the Harvey Funeral Home, Ardmore. BIOG: NAME:

Archive ID: 284377

Teddy Dukeminier in cowgirl gear with Race Driver LeRoy DeShileds in a promo shot for a news story celebrating Oklahoma's 50th anniversary as a stage. She was Miss Semi-Centennial. The photo was taken August 1956.

Image




Sources:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89842971
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=83948025
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49621749

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth400809/m1/95/

Teddy E. Dukeminier | News OK

http://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc193999/
 
#4,175 · (Edited by Moderator)
ASHCRAFT, ANNA (nee Anna Louise Strawbridge)
United States
Born 15 October 1878 in Richmond, Indiana
Died in 1966 in Chicago, Illinois
Married Edward Maurice Ashcraft, Jr., on 8 October 1903 in Chicago
[Active circa 1900-10]

Edwin M. Ashcraft, Jr., was twice president of the Western Lawn Tennis Association during the early decades of its existence.

Four children in rapid succession must have curtailed her tennis.

Sometimes [probably erroneously] listed as "Mrs R.M. Ashcraft". If the tennis playing Mrs Ashcraft was married to R. M. Ashcraft (Edwin's brother) her maiden name was Charlotte Peck. It is also possible both ladies played tennis.

Sources:

Peter-L-Alexander - User Trees - Genealogy.com

Peter-L-Alexander - User Trees - Genealogy.com

Peter-L-Alexander - User Trees - Genealogy.com

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,176 · (Edited by Moderator)
KATZENBERG, EDITH (Edith H Katzenberg)
United States
Born 28 May 1890 in Pennsylvania
Died May 1977 in Medford, New Jersey
Married David S Stern (1890-1984) between January and June 1916
[Active 1911-1918]

Edith played the US Nationals from 1911 to 1915 as Miss Katzenberg. She is sometimes wrongly listed as "Katzenburg". She was a member of Philmont Country Club.

Edith was a music teacher in 1910 according to the US census that year.

Wed to dentist David S Stern sometime in early 1916, she continued to play as Mrs David S Stern in 1918.

Her eldest son Peter was born on November 20, 1920. At that time she and Mr Stern were living with her parents Isaac (1854-1932) and Dene Katzenberg.

Sources:

1910 and 1920 US Census
Philadelphia newspapers.

Sources:

Peter Stern Obituary - Fort Washington, PA | Montgomery News
 
#4,177 · (Edited by Moderator)
HENRY, GERTRUDE (Gertrude Houston Henry)
United States
Born 02 September 1891 in Chesnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died ???? (in 1930 census)
Married Donald D Dodge in 1920
Height: 5' 9"
[Active in 1914]

Gertrude played in the 1914 US Nationals. Her sister Elizabeth also participated in the event.

Daughter Cornelia Dodge Fraley

Sources:

US Censuses
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1885-1951
1918 US Passport application
 
#4,178 · (Edited by Moderator)
HENRY, ELIZABETH (Elizabeth Wolcott Henry)
United States
Born 28 August 1894 in Chesnut Hill, Philadelphia
Died 16 July 1973 in Camden, Maine
Married Albert Hayden Chatfield (1900-1970) in 1916
[Active in 1914]

Elizabeth played in the 1914 US Nationals. Her sister Gertrude also participated in the event.

Son Henry Houston Chatfield (1917-1991)
 
#4,180 · (Edited by Moderator)
4,161 - 4,180 of 5,520 Posts
About this Discussion
5.5K Replies
47 Participants
Last post:
Vinkje83
Tennis Forum
posts
35M
members
104K
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to Tennis players and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about players, gear, matches, scores, guidelines, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Messages ITF World Tennis Tour The Siberian Siren Serena Slam Sprechen Sie Deuce?