Who is the first international star of women’s tennis?
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Suzanne Lenglen is considered to be the first true international star of women’s tennis. Born in France in 1899, she revolutionized women’s tennis in the 1920s with her unique playing style and impressive performances. Before her, women’s tennis was largely dominated by British and American players, but Suzanne Lenglen put France at the center of the international scene.
From an early age, Suzanne Lenglen showed exceptional talent for tennis. She was coached by her father, who recognized her sporting ability at an early age. In 1914, at the age of 15, she won the World Lawn Tennis Championship (the women’s equivalent of Wimbledon at the time). However, the World War I interrupted her career, which took off again after the end of the conflict.
Suzanne Lenglen is renowned for having dominated women’s tennis in the 1920s. She won six singles titles at Wimbledon between 1919 and 1925, as well as two Olympic medals at the 1920 Antwerp Games (gold in singles and mixed doubles). In all, she won 81 international tournaments, making her one of the most successful players of all time. She also won several titles at the French Open (now Roland Garros).
But it wasn’t just her record of achievements that made tennis history. Suzanne Lenglen revolutionized women’s tennis with her style of play. She played very aggressive, dynamic tennis, at a time when the women’s game was slower and often based on more passive exchanges. She was known for her powerful, precise forehand and exceptional volleys. She introduced a faster style of play that prefigured modern tennis.
Suzanne Lenglen was also a special figure off the court. Unlike many players of her era, who wore long, bulky clothes, she sported a more sporty, modern outfit: a short skirt and light blouse, which shocked some people at the time but marked the beginning of an evolution in sports fashion. She was also one of the first sportswomen to sign a sponsorship contract with a brand, becoming a pioneer in the relationship between athletes and commercial enterprises.
Nicknamed La Divine by the press, Suzanne Lenglen drew crowds to every one of her matches. Her charisma and talent helped attract a new public to tennis, both in France and abroad. She helped popularize the sport around the world, particularly in the United States, where she toured extensively. Suzanne Lenglen not only left her mark on the history of tennis through her victories, but also through her influence on the way the sport is perceived and played.
However, Suzanne Lenglen’s career was not without controversy. In 1926, after a controversy with the Wimbledon organizers, she decided to leave amateur tennis and join the professional ranks. At the time, this meant the end of her Grand Slam career. She was one of the first players to make this transition, anticipating the professionalization of tennis that would not come until the middle of the 20th century.
Suzanne Lenglen died prematurely at the age of 39, but her legacy lives on. The Suzanne Lenglen court at Roland-Garros bears her name in tribute to her contribution to tennis. Today, she is recognized not only for her sporting achievements, but also for having paved the way for the international recognition of women in tennis and for defining what it means to be a true star in the world of sport.
Suzanne Lenglen is undeniably the first international star of women’s tennis. Her brilliant career, her innovative style of play and her influence on the world of sport make her an emblematic figure in the history of tennis.
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Who is the first international star of women's tennis?
Answer
Suzanne Lenglen was the first international star of women's tennis, with six Wimbledon victories and two Olympic medals in 1920.