Elizabeth Ryan

Elizabeth Montague Ryan (February 5, 1892 – July 6, 1979) was an American-British tennis player who was born in Anaheim, California but lived most of her life in the United Kingdom. Ryan won 26 Grand Slam titles, 19 in women's doubles and mixed doubles at Wimbledon, an all-time record for those two events. Twelve of her Wimbledon titles were in women's doubles and seven were in mixed doubles. Ryan also won four women's doubles titles at the French Championships, as well as one women's doubles title and two mixed-doubles titles at the U.S. Championships.

Elizabeth Ryan
Full nameElizabeth Montague Ryan
Country (sports) United States and  United Kingdom
ResidenceEngland till death
Born(1892-02-05)February 5, 1892
Anaheim, California
DiedJuly 6, 1979(1979-07-06) (aged 87)
Wimbledon, England
Int. Tennis HoF1972 (member page)
Singles
Highest rankingNo. 3 (1927)
Grand Slam Singles results
French OpenQF (1926, 1930, 1931)
WimbledonF (1921, 1930)
US OpenF (1926)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
French OpenW (1930, 1932, 1933, 1934)
WimbledonW (1914, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1933, 1934)
US OpenW (1926)
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
French OpenF (1934)
WimbledonW (1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932)
US OpenW (1926, 1933)

Career

Although she reached the Wimbledon singles finals twice, Ryan never won the title. Eight of her losses at Wimbledon were to players generally considered to be among the best ever. Ryan had to play Dorothea Lambert Chambers in the all-comers final of 1920; Suzanne Lenglen in the 1919 semifinals (losing 6–4, 7–5), 1921 final, 1922 quarterfinals, 1924 quarterfinals (losing 6–2, 6–8, 6–4), and 1925 second round; and Helen Wills Moody in the 1928 semifinals and 1930 final.

In the 1926 singles final at the U.S. Championships, the 34-year-old Ryan led 42-year-old Molla Bjurstedt Mallory 4–6, 6–4, 4–0 and had a match point at 7–6 in the third set before losing the final three games of the match.[1]

Ryan and her longtime partner Lenglen never lost a women's doubles match at Wimbledon, going 31–0.[1] Only Billie Jean King (224 match wins) and Martina Navratilova won more matches at Wimbledon than Ryan (190 match wins): 47–15 in singles, 73–4 in women's doubles, and 70–9 in mixed doubles.[1]

The longtime tennis writer Ted Tinling has credited Ryan with inventing the volleying style later perfected by players such as Sarah Palfrey Cooke, Alice Marble, Louise Brough Clapp, Margaret Osborne duPont, Doris Hart, Darlene Hard, Margaret Court, Navratilova, and King. "Before World War I, women's tennis consisted primary of slogging duels from the baseline. There were a few volleying pioneers, notably ... Hazel [Hotchkiss] Wightman and Ethel [Thomson] Larcombe, but volleying as a fundamental, aggressive technique was first injected into the women's game by ... Ryan."[2] Tinling, however, also said about Ryan, "Elizabeth wasn't fast enough for singles. Too heavy."[3]

According to Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Ryan was ranked in the world top ten from 1921 (when the rankings began) through 1928 and again in 1930, reaching a career high of world No. 3 in those rankings in 1927.[4] Ryan was ranked second behind Mallory in the year-end rankings issued by the United States Lawn Tennis Association for 1925 and 1926.[5]

Ryan died on July 6, 1979, at age 87, on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon, following the ladies singes final and the day before Billie Jean King broke her record number of Wimbledon wins by winning her 20th title.[6][7][8] When tennis writer and television commentator Bud Collins tried to arrange for Ryan and King to film an interview together at Wimbledon in 1979, Ryan refused.[3] King said, "I always liked seeing Miss Ryan at Wimbledon, and I'd try to be friendly, but she didn't seem to want it. For me, it wasn't personal. Sure, I wanted the record, but I wasn't trying to steal a possession of hers."[9] King also said, "[T]here is no doubt in my mind that she just didn't want to be alive to see her record broken. She was [87], she had held it for a long, long time and she wanted it for herself. But records are there to be broken."[10]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 3 (3 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss1921WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen2–6, 0–6
Loss1926U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Molla Mallory6–4, 4–6, 7–9
Loss1930WimbledonGrass Helen Wills2–6, 2–6

Women's doubles: 21 (17 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win1914WimbledonGrass Agnes Morton Edith Hannam
Ethel Thomson Larcombe
6–1, 6–3
Win1919WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Dorothea Lambert Chambers
Ethel Thomson Larcombe
4–6, 7–5, 6–3
Win1920WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Dorothea Lambert Chambers
Ethel Thomson Larcombe
6–4, 6–0
Win1921WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Geraldine Beamish
Irene Bowder Peacock
6–1, 6–2
Win1922WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Kathleen McKane Godfree
Margaret McKane Stocks
6–0, 6–4
Win1923WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Joan Austin
Evelyn Colyer
6–3, 6–1
Win1925WimbledonGrass Suzanne Lenglen Kathleen Lidderdale
Mary McIlquham
6–2, 6–2
Loss1925U.S. ChampionshipsGrass May Sutton Mary Browne
Helen Wills
4–6, 3–6
Win1926WimbledonGrass Mary Browne Evelyn Colyer
Kathleen McKane Godfree
6–1, 6–1
Win1926U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Eleanor Goss Mary Browne
Charlotte Chapin
3–6, 6–4, 12–10
Win1927WimbledonGrass Helen Wills Bobbie Heine
Irene Bowder Peacock
6–3, 6–2
Win1930French ChampionshipsClay Helen Wills Simone Barbier
Simonne Mathieu
6–3, 6–1
Win1930WimbledonGrass Helen Wills Edith Cross
Sarah Palfrey
6–2, 9–7
Loss1931French ChampionshipsClay Cilly Aussem Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
Betty Nuthall
7–9, 2–6
Win1932French ChampionshipsClay Helen Wills Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
Betty Nuthall
6–1, 6–3
Loss1932WimbledonGrass Helen Jacobs Doris Metaxa
Josane Sigart
4–6, 3–6
Win1933French ChampionshipsClay Simonne Mathieu Sylvie Jung Henrotin
Colette Rosambert
6–1, 6–3
Win1933WimbledonGrass Simonne Mathieu Freda James
Billie Yorke
6–2, 9–11, 6–4
Loss1933U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Helen Wills Freda James
Betty Nuthall
default
Win1934French ChampionshipsClay Simonne Mathieu Helen Jacobs
Sarah Palfrey
3–6, 6–4, 6–2
Win1934WimbledonGrass Simonne Mathieu Dorothy Andrus
Sylvie Jung Henrotin
6–3, 6–3

Mixed doubles: 14 (9 titles, 5 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win1919WimbledonGrass Randolph Lycett Dorothea Chambers
Albertem Prebble
6–0, 6–0
Loss1920WimbledonGrass Randolph Lycett Suzanne Lenglen
Gerald Patterson
5–7, 3–6
Win1921WimbledonGrass Randolph Lycett Phyllis Howkins
Max Woosnam
6–3, 6–1
Loss1922WimbledonGrass Randolph Lycett Suzanne Lenglen
Pat O'Hara Wood
4–6, 3–6
Win1923WimbledonGrass Randolph Lycett Dorothy Shepherd-Barron
Lewis Deane
6–4, 7–5
Loss1925WimbledonGrass Umberto de Morpurgo Suzanne Lenglen
Jean Borotra
3–6, 3–6
Win1926U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Jean Borotra Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
René Lacoste
6–4, 7–5
Win1927WimbledonGrass Frank Hunter Kathleen McKane Godfree
Leslie Godfree
8–6, 6–0
Win1928WimbledonGrass Patrick Spence Daphne Akhurst
Jack Crawford
7–5, 6–4
Win1930WimbledonGrass Jack Crawford Hilde Krahwinkel
Daniel Prenn
6–1, 6–3
Win1932WimbledonGrass Enrique Maier Josane Sigart
Harry Hopman
7–5, 6–2
Win1933U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Ellsworth Vines Sarah Palfrey
George Lott
11–9, 6–1
Loss1934French ChampionshipsClay Adrian Quist Colette Rosambert
Jean Borotra
2–6, 4–6
Loss1934U.S. ChampionshipsGrass Lester Stoefen Helen Jacobs
George Lott
6–4, 11–13, 2–6

Grand Slam tournament timelines

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# A NH
(W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (NH) not held. SR=strike rate (events won/competed)

Singles

Tournament19121913191419151916191719181919192019211922192319241925192619271928192919301931193219331934Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [lower-alpha 1] A A A NH NH NH NH NH A A A A NH A QF A A A QF QF 1R 1R 1R 0 / 7
Wimbledon QF 1R ACF NH NH NH NH SF ACF F QF SF QF 2R 3R SF SF 3R F A 1R1 A A 0 / 16
U.S. Championships A A A A A A A A A A A A A QF F A A A A A A A QF 0 / 3
SR 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 26

ACF = All comers final, with the winner to play the defending champion.

1 Ryan did not play. Her opponent got a walkover.

Women's doubles

Tournament19121913191419151916191719181919192019211922192319241925192619271928192919301931193219331934Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [lower-alpha 1] A NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A NH A NH A SF A A A W F W W W 4 / 6
Wimbledon NH 2R W NH NH NH NH W W W W W QF W W W SF SF W A F W W 12 / 16
U.S. Championships A A A A A A A A A A A A A F W A A A A A A F SF 1 / 4
SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 2 2 / 3 1 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 2 / 2 0 / 1 1 / 2 2 / 3 2 / 3 17 / 26

Mixed doubles

Tournament19121913191419151916191719181919192019211922192319241925192619271928192919301931193219331934Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [lower-alpha 1] A A A NH NH NH NH NH ? ? ? ? NH ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? F 0 / 1
Wimbledon NH ? ? NH NH NH NH W F W F W 2R F SF W W SF W A W QF QF 7 / 15
U.S. Championships ? A A ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? W ? ? ? ? ? ? W F 2 / 3
SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 2 1 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 0 1 / 1 1 / 2 0 / 3 9 / 19

See also

Notes

  1. Through 1923, the French Championships were open only to French nationals. The World Hard Court Championships (WHCC), actually played on clay in Paris or Brussels, began in 1912 and were open to all nationalities. The results from that tournament are shown here from 1912 through 1914 and from 1920 through 1923. The Olympics replaced the WHCC in 1924, as the Olympics were held in Paris. Beginning in 1925, the French Championships were open to all nationalities, with the results shown here beginning with that year.

References

  1. Bud Collins (2008). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book. New York, N.Y: New Chapter Press. p. 618. ISBN 0-942257-41-3.
  2. Ted Tinling (1980). John Gilchrist Barrett (ed.). "World of Tennis 1980: A BP Yearbook - The King-Ryan Connection". London: Queen Ann Press: 56. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Bud Collins (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York Ciry: E.P. Dutton. p. 261. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  4. Bud Collins (2008). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book. New York City: New Chapter Press. pp. 695, 701. ISBN 0-942257-41-3.
  5. United States Tennis Association (1988). 1988 Official USTA Tennis Yearbook. Lynn, Massachusetts: H.O. Zimman, Inc. p. 260.
  6. Will Grimsley (July 8, 1979). "King's Rejoicing Subdued Following 20th Wimbledon Title". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1C via Google News Archive.
  7. "Ryan Dies at Wimbledon". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. July 7, 1979. p. 12 via Google News Archive.
  8. John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980: a BP yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 43, 376. ISBN 9780362020120. OCLC 237184610.
  9. Collins, Bud (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York: E.P. Dutton. pp. 259–60. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  10. Brace, Reginald; King, Billie Jean (1981). Play Better Tennis: With Billie Jean King and Reginald Brace. Octopus. p. 21. ISBN 0-7064-1223-0.
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