Suzanne Lenglen The best tennis player in the world in the 20s Date of Birth: 24.05.1899 Country: France

1. The Greatest Tennis Player of the 1920s
2. A Tennis Prodigy
3. A Fashion Icon
4. Battles with Illness and Rivalries
5. Retirement and Legacy

The Greatest Tennis Player of the 1920s

In the history of world tennis, there are many legendary names, and one of them is Suzanne Lenglen, who was considered the greatest queen of tennis in her time and for many years after. In 1914, when she was only 15 years old, she won her first tournament in Southern France, where Suzanne was born and raised. That same year, German troops invaded France during World War I, and it was only after its end in 1919 that international sports contacts resumed, allowing Lenglen to come to London for the Wimbledon tournament. Stepping onto the grass courts for the first time, the Frenchwoman triumphed. In the final match, she defeated British champion Dorothea Lambert Chambers, in what is still considered one of the most intense matches in Wimbledon history. Lenglen won the deciding set 9-7, securing the first of her five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles.

A Tennis Prodigy

Suzanne Lenglen was praised for her game. "Dancing" on the court, she always focused on winning points. Her father and coach, Charles Lenglen, was criticized for pushing his daughter too hard with grueling training sessions. However, these unconventional training methods allowed Suzanne to effortlessly defeat her opponents, finding no worthy challengers in Paris or London. Suzanne captivated audiences with her unique playing style, combining strong serves with decisive net shots.

A Fashion Icon

As a true Frenchwoman, Lenglen was ahead of her time in tennis fashion. While everyone else played in long skirts and blouses with long sleeves, she appeared at Wimbledon in a short skirt and even discarded the traditional white hat, replacing it with a colorful ribbon.

Battles with Illness and Rivalries

Lenglen faced numerous health issues, including asthma, jaundice, and unexplained nervous breakdowns. One of these breakdowns occurred at Wimbledon after a grueling quarterfinal match with American player Elizabeth Ryan. Upon medical advice, the tournament favorite had to withdraw from the competition and return to Paris. However, the following year, Suzanne redeemed herself by losing only five games throughout the entire championship.

One of the most anticipated events in the tennis world during that time was the rivalry between Lenglen and the rising American star, Helen Wills. Initially, they seemed to avoid each other, but their meeting was highly anticipated. In February 1926, the two tennis players finally faced off in the final of a popular tournament in Cannes. Suzanne, at 26 years old, had not suffered a defeat in over five years. Helen, only 20 years old, was predicted to have a bright future, which she eventually fulfilled, winning eight Wimbledon singles titles under her married name, Moody, in 1938. The match between Lenglen and Wills filled many newspaper pages and tennis books, becoming one of the greatest matches of the century. Despite the high emotions, both players struggled to perform their best, and Suzanne won the match 6-3, 8-6. This meeting marked their only encounter on the court.

Retirement and Legacy

After leaving Wimbledon, Suzanne decided to retire from competitive tennis. Despite embarking on a professional tour, she quickly realized that she no longer found satisfaction in the exciting, albeit well-paid, game. She soon opened a tennis school in Paris. In early 1938, Lenglen fell seriously ill, and in the summer, during the days of Wimbledon, she passed away. Posthumously, she was awarded the highest honor in France, the Legion of Honour.