Gussie Moran (Gorgeous Gussie) born 1923 made a big impact at Wimbledon by wearing gold lame pantees
Pauline Betz who died recently aged 91 won Wimbledon at her first attempt. As a school girl I idolised her.
Chris Evert born 1954 was a World Number 1 and won 18 Grand Slams. She was always a delight to watch and, at one time was married to our own John Lloyd.
Maria Beuno born 1939 won 19 Grand Slams - 'Poetry in Motion.' I saw her play at Wimbledon with Rod Laver in mixed doubles in the fifties.
Darlene Hard born 1936 was a curvaceous blonde and I admired her for paying her wayround the tennis cicuit by waitressing.
On the whole I think the girls were better dressed then. The body stocking type dresses some are wearing now are unforgiving , look hot and uncomfortable and reveal any spare rolls of fat. There was no grunting then and if there was a doubtful call the player to benefit would deliberately miss the next point. With the advent of big money came many changes. However it is great to see grace still on the tennis court when Federer, after his defeat the other day waited patiently to escort the winner from the court. What a chanmpion!
19 comments:
I saw the film 'Wimbledon' the other night... pure fantasy... a Brit won.
Sx
Scarlet: I started watching it but I think it was late and went to bed.
What did you think of Billie Jean King and what about the Williams sisters? I don't know much about tennis but my bil was a champion and has his high school courts named after him.
Granny Annie: I admired Billie Jean and was sad to see the Williams sisters leave Wimbledon. I had a little weep for Serena. I was much younger when I had crushes on the others.
I worked at Wimbledon as a student in the Competitors bar, in the days when tennis players were real stars. Now I sound old don't I?
I never played tennis - it was too much like work for me - and I seldom watch it, but I agree with you.
Albeit I've heard of them all....I only remember Chris Evert playing....I had a VERY big crush on her actually which lasted until Gabriella Sabatini appeared.
I am ashamed to say I didn't really appreciate 'women's tennis' as a sport until I hit around 45.
Up to then it was 'who's the looker?'
Now I consider the women's game far superior in entertainment value - and skill - to the mens which has become far too robotic. (Although I begrudgingly accept Murray is a maverick and plays his own game....he is British unless he loses...then he's Scottish again)...er...oops....bloody Scotsman....;-)
I'm rather glad to see the back of the Williams sisters - although I do admire their 'winning mentality' - as the survivors are 'artisans' who bring a beauty to the sport - and I don't mean Sharipova's legs!...a genuine beauty to the game.
...I do quite like Sharipova's legs mind....;-)
LL Cool Joe: how cruel of you not to say who the real stars were. That must have been a great experience.
Judy: there has always been something magical about Wimbledon and these days I'm just happy to be a spectator. Ball games were never my forte sadly.
4D: when Chris left Wimbledon for the last time they made a small film of her moving around the court to music. It was quite beautiful.
I still much prefer the ladies game to the men (perhaps with the TV muted) because it seems to be more about skill than power.
I'm not a fan of Federer but I was very impressed with his behaviour after the Tsonga match. A proper gentleman.
My Irish "auntie" told me with a happy smile that 'the girls' are on. I didn't know what she was talking about. Then, beaming more, she said, 'Wimbledon.'
I'm not into tennis but I do take a little interest in the career of the girls. One of the Williams sisters is very girly and into nails and fashion.
As for the boys. Remember Borg?
Baglady: I watched the ladies final today and your idea of the muted TV is a good one;)
GG: I think both the girls are into fashion - one of them had her own label and they always wear something different and eye catching - and play superbly at the same time.
I haven't watched Wimbledon for years, but I used to love it in the Cris Evert and Martina Navratilova days.
Tennis: the only time a woman has a point.
Eryl: I lost interest for a few years but I'm enjoying the old ritual fortnight when everything esle can go hang:)
Jimmy: you can't fool me. I know there is a new man hiding beneath that Scottish bluster.
You've picked some elegant pictures. Although I don't mind the new looks for tennis.
Cricket though. Why do they have to wear lurid sponsor colours?
Our local ground with traditional white looks far better.
I know most of the names of those women, plus a few others, but for some reason I nevr quite got the Point System in Tennis--it still eludes me. (lol)...I agree, the ladies were dressed much nicer--much more flattering, really--- back-in-the-day...!
Rashbre: I agree. Whites should be sacrosant.
Naomi: we played tennis all the time in our youth. It was free in the parks - all you needed was a raquet so the point system is familiar - until they get the tie breaks.
Rashbre, I think they wear the lurid sponsor colours to show how un-gentlemanly cricket has become :-(
GG: and money orientated too,
Rashbre: I've been reading about Amazon's Digital Text Platform. Do you know about it? Unfortunately you need an American bank account to take advantage of it. Could be interesting though.
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