Maureen Connolly

Maureen Connolly
Maureen Connolly in 1953
Full nameMaureen Catherine Connolly
Country (sports) United States
Born(1934-09-17)September 17, 1934
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedJune 21, 1969(1969-06-21) (aged 34)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[1]
Turned proAmateur
RetiredFebruary 1955 (age 20)[2]
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
CollegeSouthern Methodist University
(1964–196x)
Int. Tennis HoF1968 (member page)
Official websitemcbtennis.org
Singles
Highest rankingNo. 1 (1952)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenW (1953)
French OpenW (1953, 1954)
WimbledonW (1952, 1953, 1954)
US OpenW (1951, 1952, 1953)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenW (1953)
French OpenW (1954)
WimbledonF (1952, 1953)
US OpenF (1952)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian OpenF (1953)
French OpenW (1954)
WimbledonSF (1954)
Team competitions
Wightman Cup(1951, 1952, 1953, 1954)

Maureen Catherine Connolly-Brinker (née Connolly; September 17, 1934 – June 21, 1969), known as "Little Mo", was an American tennis player, the winner of nine major singles titles in the early 1950s. In 1953, she became the first woman to win a Grand Slam (all four major tournaments during the same calendar year). She is also the only player in history to win a title without losing a set at all four major championships. The following year, in July 1954, a horseback riding accident seriously injured her right leg and ended her competitive tennis career at age 19. She died of ovarian cancer at the age of 34.

  1. ^ "Maureen Connolly wins amateur tennis crown". Wilmington (NC) Morning Star. United Press. September 6, 1951. p. 9.
  2. ^ "Maureen Connolly to wed; gives up tennis comeback". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. February 23, 1955. p. 17.