 Hazel
Hotchkiss Wightman
Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman (b.1886 -d.1974)
was among the most influential figures in tennis, as well as
the most beloved. "Mrs. Wightie' is celebrated for her lifelong
work promoting women's tennis, embodied in the the ladies International
Tennis Challenge - better known as the Wightman Cup.
Born in the early days of American
tennis, Wightman learned to play at the nearby courts of the
University of California at Berkelely where she graduated in
1911. Her rivalry with fellow Californian, May Sutton,
shaped a new women's game, with
Wightman attacking the net to counter Sutton's dominating forehand.
In her 60-year playing career, Wightman earned 44 national titles
and an unparalleled reputation for sportsmanship.
Wightman's battle for international
competition in women's tennis resulted in the Wightman Cup challenge
between the U.S. and Great Britain, first played in 1923. Wightman
served five years as a team member and 13 years as Captain. The
mother of five children, she also devoted herself to teaching
other young people, opening her home near Boston's Longwood Cricket
Club to aspiring champions.
In recognition of Wightman's contributions
to tennis, the USTA Service Bowl was donated in her honor. In
1973 Queen Elizabeth
II named Wightman an honorary Commander
of the British Empire.
Career Highlights
17 Grand Slam titles (4 Singles,
7 Doubles, 6 Mixed Doubles)
Pioneered international competition
in women's tennis with the Wightman Cup challenge between U.S.
and Great Britain, first played in 1923
Three U.S. Triple Crowns 1909,
1910, 1911
Olympic Gold Medalist in Doubles
and Mixed Doubles 1924
U.S. Singles Champion 1909-1911,
1919
U.S. Doubles Champion 1909-1911,
1915, 1924, 1928
U.S. Mixed Doubles Champion 1909-1911,
1915, 1918, 1920
Wimbledon Doubles Champion 1924
U.S. Indoor Champion 1919, 1927
U.S. Indoor Doubles Champion
1919, 1921, 1927-1931, 1933, 1943
U.S. Indoor Mixed Doubles Champion
1923, 1924, 1926-1928
U.S. Grass Court Champion in
Womens 40 Doubles 1940-1942, 1944, 1946-1950, 1952, 1954
U.S. Wightman Cup Team Member
19232, 1924, 1927, 1929, 1931
U.S. Wightman Cup Team Captain
1923, 1924, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1935, 1937-1939, 1946-1948
Author, Better Tennis
Coached women champions including
Sarah Palfrey, Helen
Wills, and Helen Jacobs
Winner of USTA Service Bowl, donated in Wightman's
honor - 1940, 1946
Inducted into the International
Tennis Hall of Fame 1957
Named Honorary Commander of the
British Empire by Queen
Elizabeth II in 1973
Inducted into the International
Women's Sports Hall of Fame 1986
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