Elizabeth Ryan

For other people named Elizabeth Ryan, see Elizabeth Ryan (disambiguation).

Elizabeth Ryan
Ryan in 1913
Full nameElizabeth Montague Ryan
Country (sports) United States
Born(1892-02-05)February 5, 1892
Anaheim, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 6, 1979(1979-07-06) (aged 87)
Wimbledon, England
Turned pro1905 (amateur tour)
Retired1934
PlaysRight handed
Int. Tennis HoF1972 (member page)
Singles
Career record1064-94 (91.9%)
Career titles244
Highest rankingNo. 3 (1927)
Grand Slam singles results
French OpenQF (1926, 1930, 1931)
WimbledonF (1921, 1930)
US OpenF (1926)
Other tournaments
WHCCF (1922)
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)

Elizabeth Montague Ryan[1] (February 5, 1892 – July 6, 1979) was an American tennis player who was born in Anaheim, California, but lived most of her adult 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. During a 19-year run Ryan amassed a total of 659 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.[2]

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.[3]

Ryan and her longtime partner Lenglen never lost a women's doubles match at Wimbledon, going 31–0.[3] 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.[3]

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."[4] Tinling, however, also said about Ryan, "Elizabeth wasn't fast enough for singles. Too heavy."[5]

According to A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Ryan was ranked in the world top 10 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.[6] Ryan was ranked second behind Mallory in the year-end rankings issued by the United States Lawn Tennis Association for 1925 and 1926.[7]

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 singles final and the day before Billie Jean King broke her record number of Wimbledon wins by winning her 20th title.[8][9][10] 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.[5] 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."[11] 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."[12] Two years before her death, Ryan had told Ted Tinling, the tennis fashion designer, "I hope I don't live to see my record broken, but if someone is to break it, I hope it is Billie Jean. She has so much courage on the court." According to reports, Ryan became ill while watching the men's doubles final and excused herself, heading for the women's rest room. She collapsed there and was rushed to the hospital, where she died at 5:20 p.m. London time.[13]

Career statistics

Main article: Elizabeth Ryan career statistics

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 3 (3 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1921 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen 2–6, 0–6
Loss 1926 U.S. Championships Grass Molla Mallory 6–4, 4–6, 7–9
Loss 1930 Wimbledon Grass Helen Wills 2–6, 2–6

Doubles: 21 (17 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1914 Wimbledon Grass Agnes Morton Edith Hannam
Ethel Thomson Larcombe		 6–1, 6–3
Win 1919 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Dorothea Lambert Chambers
Ethel Thomson Larcombe		 4–6, 7–5, 6–3
Win 1920 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Dorothea Lambert Chambers
Ethel Thomson Larcombe		 6–4, 6–0
Win 1921 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Geraldine Beamish
Irene Bowder Peacock		 6–1, 6–2
Win 1922 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Kathleen McKane Godfree
Margaret McKane Stocks		 6–0, 6–4
Win 1923 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Joan Austin
Evelyn Colyer		 6–3, 6–1
Win 1925 Wimbledon Grass Suzanne Lenglen Kathleen Lidderdale
Mary McIlquham		 6–2, 6–2
Loss 1925 U.S. Championships Grass May Sutton Mary Browne
Helen Wills		 4–6, 3–6
Win 1926 Wimbledon Grass Mary Browne Evelyn Colyer
Kathleen McKane Godfree		 6–1, 6–1
Win 1926 U.S. Championships Grass Eleanor Goss Mary Browne
Charlotte Hosmer Chapin		 3–6, 6–4, 12–10
Win 1927 Wimbledon Grass Helen Wills Bobbie Heine
Irene Bowder Peacock		 6–3, 6–2
Win 1930 French Championships Clay Helen Wills Simone Barbier
Simonne Mathieu		 6–3, 6–1
Win 1930 Wimbledon Grass Helen Wills Edith Cross
Sarah Palfrey		 6–2, 9–7
Loss 1931 French Championships Clay Cilly Aussem Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
Betty Nuthall		 7–9, 2–6
Win 1932 French Championships Clay Helen Wills Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
Betty Nuthall		 6–1, 6–3
Loss 1932 Wimbledon Grass Helen Jacobs Doris Metaxa
Josane Sigart		 4–6, 3–6
Win 1933 French Championships Clay Simonne Mathieu Sylvie Jung Henrotin
Colette Rosambert		 6–1, 6–3
Win 1933 Wimbledon Grass Simonne Mathieu Freda James
Billie Yorke		 6–2, 9–11, 6–4
Loss 1933 U.S. Championships Grass Helen Wills Freda James
Betty Nuthall		 default
Win 1934 French Championships Clay Simonne Mathieu Helen Jacobs
Sarah Palfrey		 3–6, 6–4, 6–2
Win 1934 Wimbledon Grass 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
Win 1919 Wimbledon Grass Randolph Lycett Dorothea Chambers
Albert Prebble		 6–0, 6–0
Loss 1920 Wimbledon Grass Randolph Lycett Suzanne Lenglen
Gerald Patterson		 5–7, 3–6
Win 1921 Wimbledon Grass Randolph Lycett Phyllis Howkins
Max Woosnam		 6–3, 6–1
Loss 1922 Wimbledon Grass Randolph Lycett Suzanne Lenglen
Pat O'Hara Wood		 4–6, 3–6
Win 1923 Wimbledon Grass Randolph Lycett Dorothy Shepherd-Barron
Lewis Deane		 6–4, 7–5
Loss 1925 Wimbledon Grass Umberto de Morpurgo Suzanne Lenglen
Jean Borotra		 3–6, 3–6
Win 1926 U.S. Championships Grass Jean Borotra Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
René Lacoste		 6–4, 7–5
Win 1927 Wimbledon Grass Frank Hunter Kathleen McKane Godfree
Leslie Godfree		 8–6, 6–0
Win 1928 Wimbledon Grass Patrick Spence Daphne Akhurst
Jack Crawford		 7–5, 6–4
Win 1930 Wimbledon Grass Jack Crawford Hilde Krahwinkel
Daniel Prenn		 6–1, 6–3
Win 1932 Wimbledon Grass Enrique Maier Josane Sigart
Harry Hopman		 7–5, 6–2
Win 1933 U.S. Championships Grass Ellsworth Vines Sarah Palfrey
George Lott		 11–9, 6–1
Loss 1934 French Championships Clay Adrian Quist Colette Rosambert
Jean Borotra		 2–6, 4–6
Loss 1934 U.S. Championships Grass Lester Stoefen Helen Jacobs
George Lott		 6–4, 11–13, 2–6

Grand Slam tournament timelines

Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career 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[a] 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.

Doubles

Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career 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[a] 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

Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career 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[a] 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

World Championship finals

Singles: 1 final (1 runner up)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1922 World Hard Court Championships Clay Suzanne Lenglen 3–6, 2–6

Doubles: 2 finals (2 titles)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1914 World Hard Court Championships Clay Suzanne Lenglen Blanche Amblard
Suzanne Amblard		 6–0, 6–0
Win 1922 World Hard Court Championships Clay Suzanne Lenglen Winifred Beamish
Kitty McKane		 6–0, 6–4

Mixed doubles: 2 finals(2 titles)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1913 World Hard Court Championships Clay Max Decugis Anthony Wilding
Germaine Golding		 walkover
Win 1914 World Hard Court Championships Clay Max Decugis Ludwig von Salm-Hoogstraeten
Suzanne Lenglen		 6–3, 6–1

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ Dyer, Braven (June 16, 1935). "The Sports Parade". Los Angeles Times. p. 25. Retrieved April 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Elizabeth Ryan, 87, Tennis Star Who Won 19 Wimbledon Titles". The New York Times. New York, United States. July 7, 1979. p. 24. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c 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 978-0-942257-41-0.
  4. ^ Ted Tinling (1980). "The King–Ryan Connection". In John Gilchrist Barrett (ed.). World of Tennis 1980: A BP Yearbook. London: Queen Ann Press. p. 56.
  5. ^ a b Bud Collins (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York City: E. P. Dutton. p. 261. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  6. ^ 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 978-0-942257-41-0.
  7. ^ United States Tennis Association (1988). 1988 Official USTA Tennis Yearbook. Lynn, Massachusetts: H. O. Zimman, Inc. p. 260.
  8. ^ Will Grimsley (July 8, 1979). "King's Rejoicing Subdued Following 20th Wimbledon Title". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1C – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Ryan Dies at Wimbledon". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. July 7, 1979. p. 12 – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980: a BP yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 43, 376. ISBN 9780362020120. OCLC 237184610.
  11. ^ Collins, Bud (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 259–60. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  12. ^ Brace, Reginald; King, Billie Jean (1981). Play Better Tennis: With Billie Jean King and Reginald Brace. Octopus. p. 21. ISBN 0-7064-1223-0.
  13. ^ "Elizabeth Ryan, 87, Tennis Star Who Won 19 Wimbledon Titles". The New York Times. July 7, 1977. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
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