Lenglen: Jaundiced Jubilee

By the time spring had arrived, 1926 had already shown signs of being the year that would try The Goddess' soul. But little did Suzanne Lenglen know that the next -- and biggest -- obstacle she'd face wouldn't be the rise of Helen Wills, increasing financial difficulties for the family, the indignation inspired by ever-more-critical press coverage, nor even the continued annoying haughtiness of men's star Big Bill Tilden.

Instead, the steadfast "opponent" against which no variety of shots, practice hours or dramatic swoons could overthrow fate was the All-England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club at Wimbledon. Or, more specifically, the officials who, after years of catering to Lenglen's desires and having things dictated to them by the world's top tennis star (as the tournament was handsomely rewarded with a new financial stability due to her stardom), finally saw the opportunity to put La Divine in her "rightful" place.... and jumped at the chance to seize it.



As potential triumph turned into disaster before Lenglen's eyes at Wimbledon's Jubilee edition, her most frenzied imbroglio yet tested the ability of The Goddess to survive the repercussions of the "dark side" of her diva reputation.

The result: by the end of the year, Lenglen's amateur career would be over, and she'd break new ground in tennis history one final, headline-grabbing and controversy-laced time.




"The Match of the Century" (Feb.16, 1926 - Lenglen vs. Wills)
Image is Everything (icon, fashion, image)
The Goddess Does New York (1921 U.S. vs. Mallory)
All Things Small and Great (childhood)A Star is (Belatedly) Born (1919 Wimbledon)Storm Clouds on the Riviera (early 1926)

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[1] - from The Goddess and the American Girl, by Larry Engelmann. 1988
[2] - from "The Lady In The White Silk Dress, by Sara Pileggi; Sports Illustrated September 13, 1982


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While the opportunity existed in brilliant color for Suzanne Lenglen to perpetuate and embroider her athletic legacy at the Jubilee Wimbledon, the tournament's 50th anniversary presented just as enticing an occasion for the pretentious All-England Club's hierarchy to assert both its authority and the event's "supremacy" while the world was more closely watching. Even if it meant challenging the preeminence of the very player that had led to the tournament's evolution into a financially stable entity capable of withstanding what would have previously been a suicidal course of action.

The confluence of conflicting agendas would prove to be an "irony of fate" for The Goddess and tennis, producing both an historic end as well as a new beginning in the sport's history.

It didn't take long -- or shouldn't have -- for Lenglen to sense the bad omens surrounding her trip to London, nor speculate about the presence of some sort of "evil" conspiracy against her. And, in retrospect, maybe she was correct to seemingly "smell a rat."

Before she'd even left France without Papa, who was too ill to travel, Lenglen was faced with the reality that the trip to the 1926 Wimbledon was going to *cost* her and her family money.

For years, in every way but an *official* designation, Lenglen was a "professional" tennis player competing on an amateur tour, as most top players -- and she was at *the* top -- received money in many "under the table" ways. While the French press had raised a skeptical eyebrow at how Helen Wills' sale of her drawings and the bidding war for the right to print her on-site newspaper columns blurred the distinction between "amateur" and "pro," the privilege that accompanied Lenglen's position and stardom had stretched the definition beyond all recognition for most of the 1920's.

It was essentially an open "secret," as her and her family's improved lifestyle put the situation on public display, but no one really talked about it. Think how, especially in the past "wild west" days of the NCAA (say the 1970/80's), how college football or basketball players suddenly started cruising around campus in a brand new "borrowed" sports car or their relatives suddenly moved into a new house soon after an athlete signed a scholarship at Big Time U. ...everyone involved benefited from the set-up, so all eyes tended to look the other way.

"The Lenglens were rewarded by several special financial arrangements while Suzanne remained an amateur. Her presence in any tournament meant a certain lucrative guaranteed gate -- in most cases a sellout. No one ever knew for sure how much, if any, of the gate found its way into the pockets of Papa. In some cases friendly wagers were offered Papa prior to a tournament. A club official customarily wagered one thousand francs, betting Papa that Suzanne would not appear for the local club tournament. When she did arrive, as scheduled, Papa was paid his winning share." [1]

But beginning in 1926, the AELTC "changed the rules of engagement."

Previously, money was paid to a country's national tennis association to cover the travel expenses of the top players' trip to Wimbledon, with the funds then usually assigned by the association in larger than necessary amounts to certain "favored" players such as Lenglen. The "extra" money was then pocketed by those top players, allowing them to earn money while keeping their amateur status. In the new rules, the players were "invited guests" whose travel the AELTC itself financed, meaning there was no "additional" money (essentially, a legal slush fund) to be had for the top playing amateurs, who would be earning no prize money in the event. In altering the way money was expended regarding visiting players the club, on its face, "leveled the playing field" for the majority of the athletes, but it was also a not so subtle move against the likes of The Goddess and other amateur players "of high standing" who were, in some cases, "bigger" than the event itself.

In 1926, Lenglen stayed in London with her friend Lady Sophie Wavertree, so she also did not benefit from the AELTC's provision for quarters during the fortnight. Any other expenses by Lenglen, already experiencing financial difficulties because of the decreasing value of the franc, came out of her own pocket, meaning she'd *lose* money on the trip to Wimbledon, though her crowd-generating presence in the tournament (especially without Wills, out after her emergency appendectomy, providing a second big women's draw) would produce the largest amount of gate revenue for the club.

The Goddess was tasked with playing for the title and whatever fame it perpetuated, but nothing else. Meanwhile, the AELTC was assured of "winning" no matter what happened. Per the club's directive, the former financially symbiotic relationship between the two was no more.

Additionally, the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) wanted Lenglen to play women's doubles with countrywoman Julie Vlasto in order to help glorify France. Lenglen desired to once again play with the U.S.'s Elizabeth Ryan, with whom she was undefeated in her career and had won six Wimbledon titles between 1919-25. Lenglen finally agreed to the FFT's wishes, but *then* naturally drew (world's best doubles player) Ryan & Mary Browne in the 1st Round.

If Lenglen had been reasonable in questioning the "coincidence" of that occurrence, her antennae were virtually standing on end considering she'd also drawn Browne in the 1st Round in singles. She's just dominated Browne in the French Championships final (6-1/6-0), but the U.S. woman's best surface was grass and she was more than capable of an upset on the lawns.

The Jubilee Wimbledon that was supposed to be the site of Lenglen's ultimate coronation -- she wanted to sweep the singles, doubles and mixed titles without dropping a single game in *any* draw, something she'd done in a tournament on the Riviera earlier in the year -- saw her back against the wall from Day 1 with the pressure on due to tough match-ups in *both* her first two scheduled appearances in the event.

Add to that the fact that Wills, who'd dominated the '26 Riviera circuit as well as garnered much respect in her "Match of the Century" loss to Lenglen, was still getting a large portion of the attention normally given Lenglen, whose standing as the game's best had been deemed by many to be on borrowed time with the hard-hitting 20-year old Californian, seven years the French woman's junior, waiting in the wings. Having pulled out of the French due to her surgery a month earlier, Wills had recovered quickly and remained coy about whether she still might be able to play the mixed doubles at Wimbledon. She traveled to London and kept her name in the MX draw until the last moment, assuring her of generating speculative press coverage as the tournament was set to begin.

Wills finally withdrew, but told reporters that she would have practice sessions on the AELTC's outside courts (again taking away some of Lenglen's spotlight), and would write daily columns about Wimbledon for United Press.


Being the tournament's 50th anniversary, a special ceremony took place on Day 1, with Queen Mary distributing special commemorative medals to former champions. As the defending champion, Lenglen received hers last.

"When her name was called she tip-toed forward daintily and then curtsied before the Queen. Of all the great players present on that day, Lenglen received the loudest and longest cheers and applause from the crowd." [1]

A special exhibition doubles match was held for the occasion, with '25 champs Lenglen & Ryan facing Brits Kitty McKane Godfree & Kea Bouman. Shockingly, Lenglen & Ryan lost for the first time *ever.*

If it felt like omen, that was because it was.

Having arrived in London with sky-high goals, the fortnight had started for The Goddess with her losing in front of the royal family. "She could not help but suspect that some sinister force was at work to dethrone her at what should be the greatest moment of her career." [1] Without Papa to lean on and guide her through her doubts, and with Mama providing no help in the matter, Suzanne would have to find the solution within herself.

On Day 2, Lenglen faced off with Browne, 35. The Goddess' play was at times uncertain. She was victorious, but the five games she lost were the same number she'd dropped in the *entire* tournament in 1925. The "all-love" goal of perfection was already over. After the match, Suzanne said that she did not feel well and would see a doctor.

When she left the grounds on June 22, Lenglen thought that her only Day 3 match would be in doubles alongside Vlasto against Ryan/Browne, at 4:30 p.m. But the schedule for the following day had not yet been finalized. In the afternoon, tournament referee F.R. Burrow added a 2:00 p.m. singles match for Lenglen against Evelyn Dewhurst in order to accomodate Queen Mary, a fan of The Goddess since she'd witnessed her first title win in 1919. The Queen had decided to attend Wimbledon on Wednesday in order to see Lenglen play.

The updated schedule appeared in the London papers the next morning, but neither Lenglen nor any of her friends saw it or were notified of the Tuesday alterations. In the past, Lenglen had had the benefit of being contacted each night by Commander George Hillyard, the tournament secretary, with a reminder of her schedule the next day. But Hillyard had been replaced in his position by Dudly Larcombe, who did not feel that his list of duties included providing The Goddess with the traditional "special treatment," instead feeling that keeping abreast of schedule changes was the sole responsibility of the players.

Thing is, after what had happened in Cannes, Hillyard may have reacted the same way, as Lenglen had vowed to no longer have anything to do with him. Hillyard had been the chair umpire during the "Match of the Century" contest against Wills, and it'd been he who'd allowed linesman Lord Charles Hope to approach the chair after Lenglen had seemingly converted the front end of double match point (at 40/15) -- the players shook hands at the net -- and report that Wills' ball had landed inside the line (apparently, someone in the crowd had called "out!"). Hillyard ran onto into the middle of the fray and stopped the post-match activities, which had already seen spectators swarm the court along with many baskets of flowers. With the call and the decision backed up by Swiss player Charles Aeschliman from his courtside seat, Hillyard announced that the point would go to Wills. Lenglen lost three straight points and the game, and nearly the 2nd set, before winning 8-6. But Wills' surge and Lenglen's near falter down the stretch made many believe that if the match had gone to a 3rd the U.S. woman would have won.

The moment produced a significant dent in La Divine's longtime "coat of armor" and standing as the unquestioned best player in the world, leading to bad press for Lenglen and laudatory praise for the losing Wills, sending Suzanne into a brief depression as she felt as if the fates had turned against her.

"Suzanne had acquired a deep dislike for (Hillyard) because she considered his decision to continue the match in Cannes after the false 'out' call had been both unwise and unfair. She believed the false call should have been ruled a 'let' rather than a point for Wills. And many fans and officials agreed with her. But Hillyard ruled the shot in question a point for Wills. Because of his insensitivity and his stupidity, she believed, she had almost lost. His action had endangered her supremacy, her health, her career, her name, and her future. And she still burned with resentment over the incident. She would never forgive Hillyard or Lord Charles Hope or Charles Aeschliman because of their failure to rescue her at a particularly critical and pivotal moment in her life." [1]

Vlasto was told of the new schedule late Wednesday morning, and informed Lenglen. Lenglen then sent word, via French player Jacques Brugnon (one of the famed "Four Muskateers), to Burrow that she couldn't possibly play at 2 p.m. because she had a doctor's appointment at that time, but that she would be present at 4 p.m. "Lenglen did not doubt for an instant, as the defending champion of the tournament and as the champion of France and as the Goddess, that her request for rescheduling of the already rescheduled singles match would not be honored." [1]

But Burrow said he never received the message. Brugnon, a International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee in 1976, insisted that he'd delivered the message, and never wavered from his stance for the remainder of his years. Burrow never changed his, either.

That afternoon, Queen Mary arrived at Court 1 for Lenglen's singles match.

"The Queen waited in her box beside Court 1 with her hands folded primly on her lap, her pale eyes looking politely down on the grass where nothing much seemed to be happening. A ground crew rolled the court and rolled it again and then rolled it again. The tournament committee was frantic and tried to dream up excuses for the delay. Several times the Queen was told that the Goddess would appear shortly, but the assurances were based upon wishful thinking and fervent prayer. Suzanne did not appear." [1]

The Goddess arrived, as she'd said she would, at around 3:30 p.m. She was immediately summoned to see the club's angry and embarrassed officers.

"They demanded to know where she had been. What had she been thinking? Why had she not telephoned the club? Hadn't she seen the schedule of matches? Didn't she know that the Queen was waiting? How could she do this to her hosts? Immediately, Suzanne answered the emotional accusations of the men facing her with her own emotional pyrotechnics. She shot back at them in a low and then a high and loud tone verging on hysteria, chattering away like a mad machine. How dare they be so presumptuous? How dare they accuse her, the Great Lenglen? How dare they be so rude? How dare they? She made this tournament what it was, and she had brought in those crowds and she had made possible the construction of the very building they were standing in. How dare they be so ungrateful? Had they already forgotten those Lenglen-trails-a-winding (of customers queued up outside the gates)? Had they forgotten who she was? Why were they so stupid? How dare they? Papa would hear of this!" [1]

Lenglen turned and marched out and to the dressing room, where she collapsed in tears.

"They were all against her. Papa was gone. The ground seemed to be giving way beneath her feet. Everything was sliding away. Everything. There was nothing to hold on to any longer. (Muskateer) Jean Borotra was called. He found Suzanne completely distraught in her dressing room. He asked politely if she would play, and she screamed back at him, 'I can't even stand on my feet!'" [1]

Wills, too, arrived from the court, entering the dressing room and finding Lenglen with Mama, Vlasto and Lady Wavertree amid a fog of confusion and commotion. Wills heard sounds of weeping from Lenglen's room. Wills left without a word. "People usually have a reason when they cry, and the reason must have been a real one, because Wimbledon meant much to Mlle. Lenglen," Wills said.

Borotra told the Queen that Lenglen was "indisposed and unable to play." Queen Mary showed concern for Lenglen's health, and hoped for a quick recovery, and then left the grounds. Dewhurst, as well as Lenglen & Vlasto's doubles opponents, were offered a default, but they all refused to accept it and the matches were rescheduled for the next day.

"Meanwhile, Lenglen suspected that some sinister force was at work at Wimbledon to humiliate her and bring her down. Before coming to Wimbledon for her dressing down by club officials she had undergone electric shock treatments for severe pains in her neck and shoulders. She was running a temperature, and yet she had decided to participate in a tough doubles match. Out of sorts and already feeling mistreated, she was then emotionally browbeaten by the club officers. Why, she wondered, did they choose this moment to attack her? Why did they turn on her in what she thought was an unjust and ruthless way?" [1]

It could be that the reason wasn't all that difficult a conundrum to dicipher.

Not unexpectedly, male officials (at the AELTC and elsewhere) had a complicated (or maybe not?) relationship with The Goddess. Lenglen's rise, and all the attention and fans it attracted, had *made* Wimbledon -- aka, (clears throat) The Championships -- and the All-England Club, well, *rich*, bringing the women's competition up to a level plane with the men's just by her presence in the draw. In fact, the women's game at Wimbledon was *bigger* and *more* exciting than the men's. Queen Mary deigned to visit the tournament to watch Lenglen play, but no one else... not British players, even the many home grown singles champions in the event in the day, nor any others.

But while Lenglen had transformed the sport formerly dominated by male players, tennis was still *managed* by men. La Divine was the first -- and at the time, only -- threat to that established patriarchal hierarchy.

Over the years, The Goddess had behaved -- egads -- like an entitled man. It had occurred with the aid of a healthy Papa's domineering style, which always allowed the family to get what he felt it was due as far as perks. The tournament and clubs needed his daughter as much or more as she needed their events, so whatever Charles demanded that Suzanne get, she got. No matter how good. No matter how much.

"But the clubs did not bend to her demands ungrudgingly. Suzanne Lenglen, no matter how big a star, was still, in the eyes of those who ran the tennis, just a woman. She could make her demands, and she could call the tune, and she could lead the dance, but she could not make the men of the clubs and the associations love her -- and they did not." [1]

The club maintained the notion that *no* player was bigger than the tournament, even as Lenglen *had* been just that for her entire career. Her actions in not showing up for her scheduled match in front of the Queen, according to the club, had been an "insult" to the game and tournament. Ironically, the stability that Lenglen's gate receipts had provided the club had given the officials the courage to knock down The Goddess at their very first opportunity.

Since her arrival seven years earlier, the men of the AELTC establishment had waited for the chance to put Lenglen in her place in order to preserve their own. Suddenly, at the Jubilee Wimbledon in 1926, that day had arrived. With Suzanne's "miscommunication" and the presence of the Queen stoking public disapproval, the absence of Papa to run interference, and with a seemingly less demanding "younger model" in Wills positioned as The Goddess' future successor, a perfectly self-serving storm had positioned itself directly over SW19.

So the club dispensed with a dose of "LAW & ORDER," for lack of a better phrase. Tennis style.

After initial sympathy was expressed from the masses for Lenglen's plight, she was soon being called a "fake" again. As she'd been at the U.S. Championships in '21, as well as earlier in '26 on the Riviera tour. Apparently, the ridiculous notion that Lenglen would intentionally "insult" the Queen, a fan of her play who'd shown personal interest in her in the past, never seriously entered the equation in the minds of many. The British papers took the side of the club, and wieded the presence of the Queen as a weapon by which to turn public opinion against The Goddess.

"Before the night was over, Suzanne Lenglen had been transformed by the English press into the Black Queen: she had lost both the newspapers and the English public. Once again she sensed the ground giving way. Papa was not present, and she had no reserve forces, and everything was happening too quickly, and he had no real friends." [1] "British fans and the press, insulted in behalf of their queen, were transformed from Lenglen's adoring subjects into raving chauvinists ready to take up arms against her in defense of crown and country." [2]

Things didn't improve much for Lenglen the next day.

In the rescheduled doubles match against Ryan/Browne, Lenglen & Vlasto held double MP in the 2nd set, but failed to convert either and lost the set 9-7. In the 3rd, down 3-2, The Goddess foot-faulted and then double-faulted away the game and continuously missed on easy shots. The French women never won another game, losing 3-6/9-7/6-2 to the U.S. duo, handing Lenglen the first on-court WD loss of her Wimbledon career in match #30.

Moreover, the normally appreciate, and even fawning, London crowd turned on La Divine. "Their loyalty was gone, fled with the revelations and the intimations in the English press about her allegedly calculated insult to Queen Mary." [1]

Later, Lenglen won her singles match over Dewhurst, 6-2/6-2, but wasn't in top form. She told friends that she was ill, hadn't slept due to rheumatism in her neck and shoulders, and was running a 102-degree temperature. Lenglen's MX partner Borotra, the '24 Wimbledon men's champ (and eventual '26 winner), defended the truthfulness of Suzanne's ailments, but by then it no longer mattered in the eyes of the public, press or club officials.

As usual, the British press twisted the knife still more, reporting that Queen Mary had "snubbed" Lenglen after the doubles loss. That it was a complete fabrication didn't matter. Lenglen had stood aside as the Queen left the court and at one moment were just a few feet apart. The press said that the Queen ignored The Goddess in an act of "royal retaliation." But she just hadn't seen her, and in fact had inquired about her health. That last part wasn't reported to the public by the press, nor to Lenglen by anyone.

The message *was* to have been delivered by the wife of French Ambassador to London Aimé-Joseph de Fleuriau, but she was no fan of The Goddess and was said to have been envious of Lenglen's popularity in England. She kept the potentially heartening news from Suzanne.

In the mixed doubles, Lenglen & Borotra were greeted with boos and hisses as they arrived on court. The French man tried to alleviate the tension by firing off a few comically wild serves and acting as if he didn't understand what had happened with the shots. The tactic helped, but the figurative dark clouds hanging over the match weighed on Lenglen and her performance was listless in the 6-3/6-0 victory.

With the way things were playing out, tournament referee Burrow privately said that he expected Lenglen would soon default from the tournament. Publicly, he put out a Monday schedule that included a short statement that Lenglen would play "if well enough" in singles against Claire Beckingham.

After so many years, one could surely say that the AELTC *knew* Lenglen quite well.

Come Monday, Lenglen sent a message that she was not enough play, and that due to stabbing pains from the neuritis in her shoulder she was not able to hold a racket. It read: "I'm sorry. I tried as hard as I could but it was impossible. I thought until the last minute that I would be able to play. But suddenly a terrific pain seized my right shoulder and my right arm became dead. I cannot even lift it. It goes well for ten minutes and then I find I cannot use it."

Burrow *did* receive this message, as well as the one the next day that announced Lenglen's withdrawal from the MX, as well.

Proven correct, but peeved at the turn of events, Burrow said that he felt that all the misunderstandings would have been avoided had Lenglen dropped out earlier.

He "attributed her physical and emotional ills at Wimbledon to a combination of unexpectedly tough competition and the excitement of the Jubilee year. He also said that a large part of her problem was due to having too many advisors, some of whom had misled her into believing she was sufficiently powerful, even at Wimbledon, to say when she would or would not play. The public, Burrow insisted, believed that Lenglen had in fact been treated far too leniently in the past. 'The Championships are greater than any champion,' he moralized'" and suggested that too much attention had been paid previously to her personal wishes. "In the past she had been treated with all of the deference 'due a champion and a lady. But in 1926 she presumed too far on her position in the tennis world.' And so the right time had arrived to put Suzanne Lenglen in her proper place." [1]

In the words of Joseph Heller, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.

The differing reactions to Lenglen's plight were far from unexpected.

From a dismissive Molla Mallory, the player at the center of Lenglen's previously most controversial exit (the "cough & quit" match) from a major event at the '21 U.S. Championships: "What can I say? What is there to say?"

Stephen Wallis Merrihew, of American Lawn Tennis, dubbed the situation ""l'Affaire de Lenglen" and had no sympathy for the notion put forth by many of the French that Lenglen had been "mistreated" after all that she'd done for the club.

Lenglen's friends, specifically the other French players, took her side. Vlasto, who said Lenglen's condition meant she'd likely not play again for months, said that "it is all very tragic."

From Helen Wills: "I am awfully sorry to see Mlle. Lenglen out of the tournament. I know what it means to sit on the sidelines to watch players strive for the championship that you have set your heart on winning. I wish Mlle. Lenglen the speediest return to health and hope we both some time, somewhere, will get well enough to play a return match."

The Goddess, being who she was, couldn't sit still. She went about attending tournament matches, including Borotra's singles semifinal. She was in the stands for four hours, leading newsmen to note that she "didn't look ill."

Ultimately, Kitty McKane Godfree defeated Spaniard Lili de Alvarez in the women's final, claiming her second Wimbledon in three years. Ryan & Browne took the doubles crown.

Though her Jubilee Wimbledon had been a disaster, all hope was not necessarily lost. Lenglen *did* have a chance to "salvage" something resembling her "official" reputation before she exited for home. There was to be an event held at Buckingham Palace at which Lenglen had been scheduled to appear, perhaps leading to a meeting with the Queen that likely would have gone a long way toward rectifying the previously false reports about a rift between the two. Lenglen had purchased a gown for the presentation, and had even described it in glorious terms to reporters.

But Mme. de Fleuriau "took care" of Lenglen's final chance, advising Suzanne to cancel her appearance because, according to the French ambassador's wife, the royal family still "had ill feelings" toward her and that she wouldn't be welcome. With all the negative press reports and poor reactions from the British fans, it wasn't difficult to convince Lenglen to back out.

Lenglen, in making her decision public, noted that, "No girl would like to be presented amid all that splendor with her arm in a sling." The British press said it was another case of Lenglen trying to get retribution against the English for her treatment at Wimbledon. [1]

As Lenglen left for France, she said, "After all is said, you must remember that I am only a girl, not a medieval warrior who thrives on disturbance. To me all this commotion about my playing or not playing is most upsetting. I have been the most miserable girl for the past few days."

As she left London, who was to have known that Lenglen would never play at the AELTC club again? Not Burrow. Not the public. Not reporters. Not even The Goddess. She'd expected to experience the greatest moment of her career by winning Wimbledon title #7 in 1926, then a year later owning the all-time record by claiming #8. But the Jubilee event was her biggest career embarrassment.

In all, Lenglen never lost a singles match at Wimbledon, fell just once in doubles (in 1926), and twice in mixed. 32-0 in singles, she won 64 of 66 sets (losing one vs. Dorothea Lambert Chambers in '19, then another to Ryan in '24), 59 by a 6-2 or better score, and 29 at love.

Starting in 1927, Wills would win her first of three straight Wimbledon women's titles, as well as five in six years. The Californian would win her seventh crown in 1935, and her eighth in 1938 (def. Helen Jacobs), a record that stood until Martina Navratilova won her ninth title fifty-two years later.


Headline following WILLS-MOODY's final Wimbledon title run
Following the Jubilee Wimbledon, Lenglen suffered yet another emotional collapse and went into seclusion in the mountains. She cancelled all tennis appearances, including a charity tour sponsored by Lady Wavertree. Lenglen declared that she was again suffering from an attack of neuritis, and "said she had to return to Paris to be under the care of her personal physician. Then she went shopping." [1]

Lenglen blamed the establishment in England for the crowds turning against her, as she had in the U.S. in '21 after her retirement against Mallory (after which she vowed never to return to the States). Other players had also been reprimanded after arriving late for matches at Wimbledon, but it has been the presence of the Queen for her match that had lit the match of her particular firestorm.

While Lenglen's confidence was at an all time low, her desire for vengeance was at all time high. "They had treated her as just another tennis player. And if there was one thing that Suzanne Lenglen was not, it was just another tennis player." [1]

But, proverbially, she found herself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The officials of the AELTC club *had* proved to her that she wasn't in charge, and would never allow her to be, either. To go back to Wimbledon would essentially be doing so with her head bowed, accepting "her place" and submitting to those she believed had personally wronged her. Even after all she had done for amateur tennis, and the clubs, she still had to follow *their* rules.

The sport gave birth to The Goddess and had made her the most famous athlete on earth. She *needed* her celebrity to live. It was her blood, her air, her life. "She needed the tournament titles and the love of the crowds. She needed to hear the applause and to pose for the cameras and to wave to her subjects. Without all that she felt she was nothing. Papa had told her that since she was a child. And she believed it." [1]

"She 'enjoyed the interest in people's eyes, the ... respect in their voices.' She found that it was thrilling to find herself 'in the very warm center of things instead of standing outside in the cold circumference; to have her opinion asked, her advice taken; to hear the language of compliment instead of disdain; to feel that wherever she went she made a stir.'" [1]

Because of all this, by the summer of what had become the very long year of 1926, Lenglen, emotionally vulnerable and maybe a little bit desperate, was feeling alone, betrayed and persecuted by the very tennis establishment that had been enriched -- made -- by her fame and talent. Suddenly, she was "open to persuasion." In a brief window in time, the off-court Lenglen found herself being viewed from afar as something she'd never been ON the court: a potentially easy mark.

While the tennis world continued to talk of another possible future match-up between Lenglen and Wills, in the United States, a plot was developing.

Watching the entire story play out from a safe distance, with the story being written as a good (Wills, the Queen, the AELTC, etc.) vs. evil (Lenglen) affair, newspaperman and short-story writer Damon Runyon's interest was more than piqued. He especially like the "evil" character in the mix.

"Although every American didn't love her, every American did seem to love to read about her," Runyun said. "And if people love to read about her, he asked, wouldn't they gladly pay to see her in the flesh? Hadn't Hollywood shown beyond any reasonable doubt that bad girls were big box office? Why, Suzanne Lenglen was a potential box office bonanza, he said. In fact, he was sure of it. And somebody -- some American -- with a little imagination and know how and some cold cash could capitalize nicely on her delicious infamy and on the controversy she cultivated." [1]

Enter one Charles Pyle, aka "Cash and Carry" Pyle.


Football Star RED GRANGE and CHARLES PYLE, 1926
Pyle, an Illinois theater owner and sports agent who'd signed college football star Red Grange ("The Galloping Ghost") to a contract in 1925 and soon saw him become the first star of the early years of the NFL while playing for the Chicago Bears, at first didn't even know how to pronounce Suzanne Lenglen's name. After trying to get it right, a combination of the English words "long" and "glen" -- Pyle eventually settled on a mispronounciation -- "leng" and "lon" -- similar to the incorrect way in which most U.S. fans referred to The Goddess.

Said Pyle of his interest in the potential of Lenglen to draw U.S crowds: "The fact that people hated her was enough for me. People will pay to see anybody they hate."


LENGLEN and CHARLES PYLE, 1926
Soon, The Goddess' new future was official, and she announced it to the world:

"To whom it may concern: I have just signed a contract with Charles C. Pyle of America for a four months' four of exhibition tennis. My engagement will start in America on October 1, 1926."





*SUZANNE LENGLEN AT WIMBLEDON*
=SINGLES, 32-0 (2 w/o)=
1919 - Champion (def. Dorothea Lambert Chambers)
1920 - Champion (def. Dorothea Lambert Chambers)
1921 - Champion (def. Elizabeth Ryan)
1922 - Champion (def. Molla Mallory)
1923 - Champion (def. Kitty McKane)
1924 - SF (walkover vs. Kitty McKane)
1925 - Champion (def. Joan Fry)
1926 - 3rd Rd. (walkover vs. Claire Beckinhgam)
=DOUBLES, 29-1 (1 w/o)=
1919 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1920 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1921 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1922 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1923 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1924 - QF w/ Elizabeth Ryan (walkover)
1925 - Champion w/ Elizabeth Ryan
1926 - 2nd Rd. w/ Julie Vlasto (walkover)
=MIXED, 30-2 (3 w/o)=
1919 - QF w/ William Laurentz
1920 - Champion w/ Gerald Patterson
1921 - 2nd Rd. w/ Andre Gobert (walkover)
1922 - Champion w/ Pat O'Hara Wood
1923 - SF w/ Jean Washer
1924 - QF w/ Jean Borotra (walkover)
1925 - Champion w/ Jean Borotra
1926 - 2nd Rd. w/ Jean Borotra (walkover)


*PRO SERIES FINALS*
[UTR - AUS]
Sydney: Ellen Perez d. Alexandra Bozovic
Melbourne: Destanee Aiava d. Storm Sanders
Brisbane: Maddison Inglis d. Lizette Cabrera
Sydney 2: Ellen Perez d. Alexandra Bozovic
Brisbane 2: Maddison Inglis d. Lizette Cabrera
Sydney 3: Destanee Aiava d. Ellen Perez
[UK PRO SERIES - St.George Hills LTC, GBR]
1 - Emma Raducanu d. Jodie Burrage
2 - Naomi Broady d. Emily Appleton
3 - [this week]
4 - [July 27-Aug.2]
[CHALLENGE ELITE FFT - FRA]
Nice - Fiona Ferro d. Kristina Mladenovic
Cannes - Fiona Ferro d. Kristina Mladenovic
Villeneuve-Loubet - [this week]
[MAPPRE LEAGUE - ESP]
Girona - Sara Sorribes Tormo d. Amanda Carreras

*SHUTDOWN EXHIBITION WINNERS...so far*Belarus Insurance Cup (BLR): Aryna Sabalenka
UTR Pro Match (FLA USA): Alison Riske (in F), D.Collins/A.Tomljanovic (SF rained out), A.Anisimova (3rd/4th)
President's Cup (CZE): Petra Kvitova
Mima Jausovec Cup (SLO): [Team East - w/m]
UTF Invitational (UKR): Marta Kostyuk
LiveScore Cup (CZE): Karolina Pliskova
Tipsport Charity Cup (CZE): Black Team def. Pink Team
Black Team: Bartunkova,Martinec,Muchova,Ka.Pliskova,Kr.Pliskova,Vondrousova
Credit One Bank Invitational (Charleston USA): Team Peace def. Team Kindness
Team Peace: Bouchard, Brady(MVP), Dolehide, Kenin, Keys(Captain), Mattek-Sands, Navarro, Tomljanovic
German Ladies Series (GER): Laura Siegemund
Bratislava Open Challenger (SVK): Belinda Bencic
Elle Spirit Open (SUI): Iga Swiatek
Youth Kings Scholarship (KY USA): Shelby Rogers (undefeated)
Swiss Masters (SUI): Ylena In-Albon
Bett1 Aces (GER): [hard] Elina Svitolina
Bett1 Aces (GER): [grass] Anastasija Sevastova
Progress Tour (GBR): Katie Boulter
Int Crossklinik Open (SUI): Viktorija Golubic
Tipsport Elite Trophy (CZE): [this week]
World Team Tennis (WV USA): [currently playing]

What a win for Destanee Aiava in the third #UTRProTennisSeries women's final in Sydney. After an epic match tiebreak, Aiava emerges a 7-5 0-6 15-13 winner over Ellen Perez ?? @MyUTR pic.twitter.com/1oOtwfZ0N0

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 19, 2020

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Size doesn’t matter, does it ?! ?? ??good few matches????!!! more to come... @bett1_aces ??: @jimmie48tennis

A post shared by Elina Svitolina (@elisvitolina) on Jul 17, 2020 at 8:41am PDT

Patience and perseverance.

Sevastova defeats Kvitova in three sets to claim the @bett1aces title. pic.twitter.com/ZcWcTlMrcd

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 19, 2020

Anastasija Sevastova d. Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 10-5 to win the second leg of the Berlin exho. Kvitova finishes the week with two finals lost.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 19, 2020

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5 days 5 matches ? it’s good to be back ??

A post shared by Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) on Jul 18, 2020 at 10:37am PDT

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?? Le doublé pour @fioferro ?? Le premier titre pour @quentinhalys #ChallengeEliteFFT #tennis #sport #Cannes #finale ?? Corinne Dubreuil / FFT

A post shared by FFT (@fftennis) on Jul 18, 2020 at 12:51pm PDT

Big day for young IMG client Brenda Fruhvirtova, at only 13 years old beating world #54 ranked Katerina Siniakova 7-6 6-1 during the Czech exhibition tennis league today! #IMGFam #NextGen pic.twitter.com/inkNEsApDz

— IMG Tennis (@IMGTennis) July 16, 2020

One of those pics that will forever be easy to put a date on even many years down the road… masks, gloves..has to be 2020. pic.twitter.com/M31QZccFOS

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) July 13, 2020

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Sara Sorribes se adjudica la final primer torneo de la Liga #MAPFREtenis 🚺 en el @clubtennisdaro (Girona) ante la británica Amanda Carreras 60 60 #VuelveElTenis 😍 con @mapfre_es

A post shared by Tenis España (@rfetenis) on Jul 19, 2020 at 6:36am PDT

what a location ??????@bett1aces #Hangar6 #Berlin #Tempelhof pic.twitter.com/GXxLTuebvK

— Christopher Kas (@KasiTennis) July 16, 2020

None of us are immune to the degrading effects of the discourse wars that play out in front of screaming virtual audiences and in short snippets of messaging that permit no nuance or compromise, writes @ggreenwald. https://t.co/Md0Omi8vOi

— The Intercept (@theintercept) July 15, 2020

Australian Open 2021

Planned Dates: January 18-31 https://t.co/1xKFIFrqz9

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 14, 2020

2022 Youth Olympic Games Postponed Until 2026; USTA Southern Cancels Sectional; Krajicek and Dabrowski Join World Team Tennis's Orange County Breakers:https://t.co/JtVMEJNZ4X pic.twitter.com/JUTQ14Hv8g

— Colette Lewis (@zootennis) July 15, 2020

I love it!!! I can’t wait to celebrate next year! For now let’s stay safe everyone! ???? https://t.co/syhb6FRZ0H

— Conchita Martínez (@conchitamartinz) July 17, 2020

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Life in lockdown during coronavirus has been challenging in many ways but personally it’s been one of the most exciting and happy times of my life. On the 16th of June, my partner Liz gave birth to our beautiful little girl, Genevieve. It has been a whirlwind time but we could not imagine life without her now. Mum and Evie are doing well and it’s so amazing to be home with them both. We are absolutely in love with this little bundle and rolling with the happy chaos. We can’t wait for what’s to come and to watch little Evie grow up....Although not too quickly we hope! ???????? #babygirl #homecourt #wta #tennisaustralia #family

A post shared by Samantha Stosur (@samstosur) on Jul 13, 2020 at 1:32am PDT

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?? ??

A post shared by Victoria Azarenka (@vichka35) on Jul 16, 2020 at 6:47am PDT

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First time back on court since retirement! Not bad for 6 months away ??????

A post shared by Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki) on Jul 15, 2020 at 5:38am PDT

Definitely a first time for everything! The hard court in Berlin is inside an airport hangar.

Will try not to hit the plane ????@bett1aces pic.twitter.com/XwHwId6eCZ

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) July 16, 2020

Thanks for taking such good care of us this week @bett1aces ✈️

Lots of tennis, grass courts, a hangar, many smiles and most importantly, we all felt safe. See you next time Berlin 👋 pic.twitter.com/zL8sgQiWTW

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) July 19, 2020

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????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? 15? ? ??????? #paparazzi #DD #flashing #lights

A post shared by Daria Kasatkina?? (@kasatkina) on Jul 18, 2020 at 2:29am PDT

Not your everyday commute: @ElinaSvitolina on her way to the court at Tempelhof Airport. pic.twitter.com/QttRnLUlmF

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) July 17, 2020

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??

A post shared by Bianca Vanessa?? (@biancaandreescu_) on Jul 13, 2020 at 12:53pm PDT

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??????Let's go #PinkTeam @tipsportelitetrophy starts today.?????? #Prague #ruzovytym

A post shared by Iga Swiatek (@iga.swiatek) on Jul 18, 2020 at 1:49am PDT

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Told @gilkesa we were going on a road trip for his special day ??????

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on Jul 17, 2020 at 2:54pm PDT

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A ?? to the archeological sites of Mesa Verde with a few dwellings dating back to A.D. 500. ?

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on Jul 18, 2020 at 5:12pm PDT

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is undergoing treatment for a recurrence of cancer but in a written statement says, “I have often said I would remain a member of the court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that.”https://t.co/ShjUXmwx9H pic.twitter.com/bfzGSSN29O

— Ann Telnaes (@AnnTelnaes) July 18, 2020

REMEMBERING JOHN LEWIS:

? U.S. Rep. John Lewis, civil rights hero, has died at 80: https://t.co/QyXxOMXJ8Z
? Read the outpouring of grief for the civil rights hero: https://t.co/8d0DNrwKYV
? PHOTOS: Look back at Lewis' amazing life: https://t.co/uR7NfNZK1n pic.twitter.com/MGqMCojYb7

— AJC (@ajc) July 18, 2020

59 years ago today I was released from Parchman Farm Penitentiary after being arrested in Jackson, MS for using a so-called "white" restroom during the Freedom Rides of 1961. pic.twitter.com/OUfgeaNDOm

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 7, 2020

That time John Lewis, then 76-years-old crowd surfed on the Stephen Colbert Show. pic.twitter.com/SVx0sTXy2q

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) July 18, 2020

The flags at the White House that were lowered to half-staff yesterday around 11 a.m. in honor of John Lewis have been raised again. pic.twitter.com/UPZZL9A4ID

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 19, 2020

Trump begins to melt down at the first hint Chris Wallace is going to call out his BS https://t.co/ZlWpUmPGF5

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 17, 2020

Trump says we must name military installations after Confederates, because the alternative is, "Are you going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton?"

Racism from deep in the marrow. https://t.co/BkKq0p5kss

— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) July 19, 2020

The only explanation for this interview?
Trump’s nuts. https://t.co/kg0hlHQNT0

— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) July 19, 2020

“The answer is 83" https://t.co/gp7LbSSHFc

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 16, 2020

#Coronavirus: Banksy sprays Tube with COVID-19 face mask message.

The street artist was filmed stencilling a London Underground train with a message encouraging people to wear face coverings.

More here: https://t.co/EaEPV5v1mz pic.twitter.com/uTmlbEC1Yp

— SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 15, 2020

Woman urinates on the floor after refusing to leave Verizon store for not wearing a mask https://t.co/jRSyeij9BB pic.twitter.com/ddcUp8JpjI

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 18, 2020

#WearAMask dammithttps://t.co/qcgHshRFoS pic.twitter.com/ro7rXfL5Dg

— Ann Telnaes (@AnnTelnaes) July 16, 2020

when the australasian liberation army begins its march across the smoking ruins of america https://t.co/YsIFDbbZfc

— the irishman* (@mrgracemugabe) July 16, 2020

WATCH: Captain Tom Moore becomes Sir Thomas Moore as he’s knighted by the Queen with her father, George VI’s sword, in the Windsor quadrangle. ?? pic.twitter.com/sZtujAZBOO

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) July 17, 2020

This is my kinda coaching. I got to get a bigger trolley AND a seat! https://t.co/oWic9KLbdj

— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) July 13, 2020

She’s a rockstar, bud....???? https://t.co/pMZ5L9rmiR

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) July 14, 2020

We were all worried about Skynet. Meanwhile, nunchuck bears.pic.twitter.com/ZfGMIkYFl3

— Kevin Brackett (@KevinRBrackett) July 12, 2020

This cat discovering that it has ears is absolutely the best thing I will see today. pic.twitter.com/SDx80QOnAI

— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) July 16, 2020

When you think you're getting attention because you've touched a nerve, when it's really because people are pointing out how much of idiot you are...

Its called

Adult
Swim

For a reason, Karen
As in, not for children, playtime is over, send them to bed pic.twitter.com/mdrmSrDjxx

— Archon The Dying (@ArchonOf) July 19, 2020

Me seeing a bunch of angry adults on Twitter suddenly upset about Adult Swim "poisoning children's minds after hours", as they apparently have just discovered it exists on the same channel as Cartoon Network, and didn't know it's been around since 2001: pic.twitter.com/wjokIteYWS

— TRAFON (@RiseFallNick) July 19, 2020

Sure, but when I collect someones hair and make a "doll" it's creepy and weird pic.twitter.com/yq1JOwT4N5

— Klara Sjöberg (@klara_sjo) July 16, 2020

THIS WINS THE INTERNET TODAY ??????????????????

pic.twitter.com/MxHnPPprI5

— jay arnold ?? (@jadedcreative) July 13, 2020

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Pillow Talk with Leslie Jordan. Oh no she didn’t. I think she crossed the line, don’t you?

A post shared by Leslie Jordan (@thelesliejordan) on Jul 14, 2020 at 6:39am PDT

Ford bringing back the Bronco? pic.twitter.com/XLcwWYTc3C

— Matt from Wii Sports (@Wii__Matt) July 14, 2020

Don’t be an ass, #WearADamnMask pic.twitter.com/Tr1icHlHj1

— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) July 16, 2020

Be safe.
All for now.