Jeanne Arth

 

A lifelong Minnesotan, Jeanne Arth (b. 1935) reached the pinnacle of tennis with just four months' practice time each year. With her powerful forehand, penetrating volleys and unshakable poise, Arth excelled in national junior competition and dominated the USTA's Northern Section for two decades. From 1954 to 1956, as a student at the College of St. Catherine, she swept the doubles and was a three-time singles finalist at the groundbreaking National College Girls' Tournament in St. Louis.

In 1957, Arth joined the international circuit while employed as a full-time high school teacher, and attained a remarkable No. 7 national ranking. The following year, she and partner Darlene Hard captured the U.S. doubles title as an unseeded team, winning a thrilling three-set match against top-seeded Althea Gibson and Maria Bueno. The pair repeated their victory in 1959, also taking the Wimbledon doubles crown. Retiring from the circuit at the top of her game, Arth continued a distinguished 37-year career as an educator and counselor.

Darlene Hard (left) and Jeanne Arth 1958 won the USLTA Women's Doubles Championship

 

 

Jeanne Arth and partner Darlene Hard, joined by the legendary Hazel Wightman, celebrating their second U.S. doubles title in 1959. Arth called their surprising 1958 victory "my biggest and most exciting win in tennis."

 

Six-year-old Jeanne (inset of her at age 21) and older sister Shirley were able to practice at nearby St. Paul Tennis Club, thanks to club pro Lewis Soukup. The pair rose to a No. 2 national ranking in junior doubles.

 

Winning the USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Trophy in 1953

 

 Jeanne Arth 1958

 

 (Left) Christine Truman, Beverly Balies Flertz, Darlene Hard, Jeanne Arth, The Dutchess of Kent at the 1959 Wimbleton Championships

 

Arth returned to Wimbledon in 1989 on the 30th anniversary of her doubles title. "I was filled with pride. I had actually played and won on Wimbledon's Centre Court!"

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


Ranked in USTA Top 10 1957­58


No. 1 national ranking in doubles (with Darlene Hard) 1958­59; No. 5 world ranking


U.S. Doubles Champion 1958, 1959; Singles Semifinalist 1958


Wimbledon Doubles Champion 1959; Mixed Doubles Semifinalist 1959


First Minnesota tennis player to compete overseas


USTA/Northern Section Girls' and Girls' 18 Singles, Doubles Champion; Ranked No. 1 in sectional singles and doubles 1947­53


USTA/Northern Section Women's Singles Champion 1949­52, 1955­56, 1962­60; Doubles Champion 1948­52, 1955­56, 1960­69; Ranked No. 1 in sectional singles 1951­69, No. 1 in doubles 1949­69


U.S. Girls' 18 Singles Semifinalist 1952­53, Doubles Finalist 1950, 1953; Ranked No. 4 in national junior singles, No. 2 in doubles 1953


U.S. Junior Wightman Cup Team Member 1952­53


Winner of USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Award 1953


National College Girls' Tennis Tournament Singles Finalist 1954­56; Doubles Champion 1954­56


U.S. Clay Court Doubles Finalist 1957, 1959


Pennsylvania Lawn Tennis Mixed Doubles Champion 1957


Eastern Grass Court Singles Finalist 1957


U.S. Wightman Cup Team Member 1959


B.S., College of St. Catherine 1956; M.A., University of St. Thomas 1970


High school physical education teacher 1956­76; high school counselor 1976­93


Six career holes-in-one as amateur golfer


Inducted into Minnesota Tennis Hall of Fame 1979


Inducted into Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame 1986


Inducted into Wilson International Tennis Hall of Fame 1990


Inducted into St. Paul Central High School Hall of Fame 1995


Member of St. Catherine Alumnae Board of Directors 1997­2000


Sports Illustrated's Top 50 Minnesota Athletes of the 20th century

 

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