Hard Court
Rookie
Just read a recent biography of Alice Marble called "Queen of the Court". She is not someone who you hear a lot about.
Didn't really want to discuss the spy stuff which was in another thread.
There were some interesting tidbits about her.
Little Bill Johnston helped her out early in her career. He helped steer towards here coach, Teach Tennant. He also helped her get into her first US Open. there was some paperwork error and somehow she was not included in the draw. Johnston stepped in and git her entered. They actually had to completely redo the US Open draw!!
She grew up poor and got a late start in tennis. She was a natural athlete who played other sports. She was described as the best women's volleyer up to that point and power with her groundstrokes.
Helen Wills and Helen Jacobs were still playing when she broke in. Helen Wills was described as not a nice person while Helen Jacobs was put in a positive light. Pretty much what I have always heard. Wish the book would have went into more depth abut other top players around her time.
She actually fainted at Roland Garros. Book was not clear if it was actually during a French Open match or not. US Open officials tried to keep her out the tournament for a long time; supposedly because they didn't think she physically ready after the fainting. Former great Mary K. Browne stepped in and pushed for them to let her in. She was eventually allowed and won it.
Several years after retiring, she wrote in tennis magazine that Althea Gibson should be allowed to play in the US Open. This turned the tide and they let her play.
What was really interesting was what it was like being an amateur back then before the Open era. Expenses like food, hotels etc. were paid for. However, she had to rely on her coach for several years for a place to live. She turned pro and was able to cash in for a year (in 1941) playing Mary Hardwick as the preliminary match before a Tilden-Budge tour. She made about $100,000. Of that she gave some money back to her coach. After that, she was pretty much done playing. Spent the rest of her life getting by on writing for tennis, getting handouts and occasionally coaching.
Anyway, was wondering if anyone else had read the book or wanted to add comments about her career.
Didn't really want to discuss the spy stuff which was in another thread.
There were some interesting tidbits about her.
Little Bill Johnston helped her out early in her career. He helped steer towards here coach, Teach Tennant. He also helped her get into her first US Open. there was some paperwork error and somehow she was not included in the draw. Johnston stepped in and git her entered. They actually had to completely redo the US Open draw!!
She grew up poor and got a late start in tennis. She was a natural athlete who played other sports. She was described as the best women's volleyer up to that point and power with her groundstrokes.
Helen Wills and Helen Jacobs were still playing when she broke in. Helen Wills was described as not a nice person while Helen Jacobs was put in a positive light. Pretty much what I have always heard. Wish the book would have went into more depth abut other top players around her time.
She actually fainted at Roland Garros. Book was not clear if it was actually during a French Open match or not. US Open officials tried to keep her out the tournament for a long time; supposedly because they didn't think she physically ready after the fainting. Former great Mary K. Browne stepped in and pushed for them to let her in. She was eventually allowed and won it.
Several years after retiring, she wrote in tennis magazine that Althea Gibson should be allowed to play in the US Open. This turned the tide and they let her play.
What was really interesting was what it was like being an amateur back then before the Open era. Expenses like food, hotels etc. were paid for. However, she had to rely on her coach for several years for a place to live. She turned pro and was able to cash in for a year (in 1941) playing Mary Hardwick as the preliminary match before a Tilden-Budge tour. She made about $100,000. Of that she gave some money back to her coach. After that, she was pretty much done playing. Spent the rest of her life getting by on writing for tennis, getting handouts and occasionally coaching.
Anyway, was wondering if anyone else had read the book or wanted to add comments about her career.
