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Womens Singles Added to Wimbledon Championships
The first Championships, held by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, only included Mens Singles in 1877. In 1884, 7 years later, womens singles were added to the games played in the event. From then on, women were always included in the Wimbledon games. Picture from (http://networketiquette.net/news/wimbledon-2015-web-4-0/). -
U.S. Defeats Germany in Pre-WWII Scandal
Amid rumors of Nazi afilliations and pre-match victories which set it up to be the game of the century for Americans and Germans alike, Don Budge beats Gottfried Von Cramm in the 1937 David Cup, sending the U.S. to the Challenge Round, later. This proved tennis capable of starting as much drama as baseball for years to come, with news dominating the radio for days, taking over Americans' lives. http://www.dw.com/en/germany-vs-the-us-in-1937-the-greatest-tennis-match-ever-played/a-4455340 -
First African American to Win Wimbledon
Video Althea Gibson became the first African American to win a Grand Slam event in the 1956 French Championships. She was also the first in either gender to win the Wimbeldon games- beating Darlene Hard. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1739119-the-most-significant-matches-in-tennis-history/page/12 -
Arthur Ashe Becomes the 1st African American to Win U.S. Open
video of matchThis was the first U.S. Open ever, and the fact that the winner was an African American made history. Although Ashe was tremendously underpaid even though he won, his victory still did not go unnoticed. He was an amateur, an African American, and the underdog- this game will go down as a game-changer for a long time. -
One Match Booms Tennis in the U.S.
After this match, played between two Australians whom had played eachother 137 times prior, tennis became the next best thing in the United States. This was the first match to take over primetime television- bumping 3 6:00 shows to exhibit the exciting match. Watching this match- Rod Laver Vs. Ken Rosewall- turned many Americans into tennis fans and increased the sport's fanbase tremendously. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1739119-the-most-significant-matches-in-tennis-history/page/10 -
Billie Jean King Founded the Women's Tennis Association
In the months before the 1973 Wimbledon games, Billie Jean King founded the Women's Tennis Association with almost every other female tennis player of that period to create a league for women to play in, while getting equal prize money as men. This set a standard for future complicatinos between men and women in tennis. Picture from http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/2951989/title/about-the-wta -
Billie Jean King Beats Bobby Riggs
Although it was only an exhibition match between the long-reigning champion Riggs and female rival King, the match drummed up huge attention from the media. The fact that a woman was put up against him, that she destroyed him after 3 rounds made waves in the news for feminists and hopefuls worldwide. Picture from (http://www.history.com/news/billie-jean-king-wins-the-battle-of-the-sexes-40-years-ago) -
Renee Richards Almost Barred From U.S. Open
Renee Richards, previously playing under the name Richard Raskin, underwent a sex change, and therefore was denied playing in the 1976 U.S. Open. However, after going to court,, she was allowed to play in the 1977 games. This was a huge deal for the sport and gender and LGBT rights in general that they allowed a more physically fit and advantageous man (physically) compete as a woman. Picture from (http://www.gq.com/story/renee-richards-interview) -
Longest Point in Tennis History
The game between Vicki Nelson and jean Hepner, only one point's worth, lasted an outrageous 29 minutes. Neither player could break the service, until Nelson returned a lob and won the game. (Picture from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?_r=0) -
Longest Game in Tennis History!
Ending with a score of 70-68, the longest recorded game in tennis history, between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, lasted a record breaking 11 hours and 5 minutes. (Picture from http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon10/news/story?id=5322284)
