‘Greatest Woman Tennis Player’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 15

‘Greatest Woman Tennis Player’

(AZ. Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 7. Margaret Smith, seven times in succession winner of the Australian lawn tennis championship, w r as rapidly heading for the position of the greatest woman player of all time, according to the “Observer.”

Suzanne Lenglen (France) and the American players, Helen Wills (later Mrs Moody) and “Little Mo” Connelly, were usually named for that title.

Margaret Smith had now won 13 of the world’s major titles, the big four being Wimbledon, the Australian championship, the United States championship at Forest Hills and the only event on a hard court, the French championship. Only Miss Wills had ever surpassed this number of successes with her remarkable tally of 19. including the Wimbledon record of eight singles victories.

SUzanne Lenglen won eight major titles and “Little Mo” nine. The two pre-war players were at an obvious disadvantage in that air travel was not customary and Miss Connolly had her career cut short by a riding accident in 1954, but against this Margaret Smith had to have exceptional durability to- play as often as she did. Miss Smith, who is still only 23 years old. has achieved her successes in six years, compared with the 14 years spanning the first and last major title success for Miss Wills.