As the Wimbledon tennis season sadly draws to a close, there is a lot to reflect upon in terms of the progression of women in this awe-inspiring event. From the ground up, there have been countless iconic moments for women in tennis, but Wimbledon shines through as a setting where sporting giants have risen to dominate the game and push forward for greater gender equality sport. Here is a timeline of the most significant moments for women at Wimbledon:
1884 – When women were first allowed to compete
After the All-England Club had persistently declined the inclusion of women in Wimbledon over several years, they finally conceded in 1884 allowing women to compete in a singles tournament. Despite their inclusion, the women's league was still treated as a second-class event as it was not allowed to begin until the men’s singles were over and their entrance fee of 10 shillings and sixpence was exactly half the fee required from men.
1887 – The youngest person ever to win Wimbledon singles
Lottie Dod was only 15 years old when she became the youngest person to ever win the Wimbledon singles, and still holds that record to this day. She went on to win the ladies' singles championships at Wimbledon 5 times making her one of the highest achieving Wimbledon champions, winning the same number of titles as Venus Williams and Charlotte Cooper Sterry.
Lottie Dod won Wimbledon today in 1887 at age 15. She still has the record as youngest woman to do so. She won four more. Then won the British ladies golf championship, played hockey for England and won a silver in the Olympics at archery. She also served as a nurse in WW1. pic.twitter.com/gljg7ZW3qB
— Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) July 7, 2022
1905 – First international player to win Wimbledon singles
American-born May Sutton became the first international competitor at Wimbledon to win the singles title. She also won the US Open at just 16 years of age on her debut to the tournament, making her the youngest person to win the US Open in history.
May Sutton Bundy, the first US player to win the
Wimbledon ladies' singles title. Photographed in 1907. pic.twitter.com/0vwpwpsDlo— WikiVictorian (@wikivictorian) October 19, 2021
1908 – The oldest woman to win Wimbledon singles
At the age of 37, Charlotte Sterry had an iconic victory in the Wimbledon singles making her the oldest woman to win a Wimbledon title. She holds a position in the top 10 highest achieving women at Wimbledon winning 5 titles. Not only was she a star at Wimbledon, but she also won an Olympic gold in Paris on 11 July 1900 where she became the first female Olympic tennis champion.
©ROH/2012
1920 – The first woman to win a ‘triple crown’ at Wimbledon
Holding the position of world No.1 for five consecutive years from 1921 to 1926, Suzanne Lenglen was the first woman to win a triple crown in the lady's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She left an impressive legacy by dominating the tennis world, winning 21 grand slam titles, and over her 12-year career, she won a jaw-dropping 241 titles in total. This established her as one of the most successful tennis players in history.
1957 – The first African American to win the Wimbledon title
The 1957 Wimbledon final saw a groundbreaking moment in sporting history with Athena Gibson becoming the first African American to win the Wimbledon championships. She won the US open that same year and the French open the year before.
As we celebrate Black History Month, because I am a lover of tennis, I am celebrating the first black female tennis player, a trailblazer, Athena Gibson. Inspired by strong black female athletes, #Inspired by #PearlOnNetflix #MeghanMarkle. pic.twitter.com/PmB90vvH8M
— ❤️LOVE WINS❤️ (@Libby91449606) February 2, 2022
1977 – The rise of Billie Jean King
In the doubles final in 1977, Billie Jean King began what would prove to be one of the most significant sporting careers in history. Her victory was followed by winning 5 more Wimbledon titles. This, alongside King winning 39 major titles, paved the way for her to become world No.1.
Photograph – AELTC/Michael Cole
1996 – The youngest person to win Wimbledon doubles
At the mere age of 16, Martina Hingis cemented herself as one of the GOATS of the tennis world by becoming the youngest Wimbledon doubles champion of all time. She was also the first Swiss player, male or female, to win a major title and become world No.1.
Wimbledon - you will always be special ❤️ Thank you for another amazing Grand Slam. It felt great to be back… thank you for all the memories- circa: 1997 - 16 years old. #wimbledon #memories #Grandslam https://t.co/OvSiPUqQvk
— Martina Hingis (@mhingis) July 13, 2022
2002 – The battle of the sisters
2002 marked the first of four Wimbledon finals where the world-class sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, rallied it out for the title. Serena beat Venus in 2002, 2003, and again in 2009, while Venus took the victory in 2008.
2007 – Men and women are equally paid
Wimbledon finally levelled the pay in 2007 being the last of the four major titles to commit to equally paying their athletes. Tim Phillips, the All England Club chairman, addressed this progression with ‘We believe our decision to offer equal prize money provides a boost for the game as a whole and recognizes the enormous contribution that women players make to the game and to Wimbledon.’
Photograph: Thomas Lovelock
In the past 135 years of women at Wimbledon, the world has seen the rise of some of the greatest tennis champions of all time and some of the youngest tennis stars in the sporting world. We look forward to the time ahead for women in tennis and what future stars will play on the famous Wimbledon courts.
