🎾 Farewell to a Legend 🎾
We’re saying goodbye to a tennis icon as tributes flood in for Angela Mortimer, a former Wimbledon champion, who has passed away at the age of 93. Born in Plymouth, Angela carved her place in tennis history with her remarkable skills and resilience on the court.
Angela’s illustrious career was highlighted by her victory in the ladies’ singles at Wimbledon in 1961. This was one of her three major singles titles, with triumphs at the French Championships in 1955 and the Australian Championships in 1958. She also teamed up with Anne Shilcock to clinch the women’s doubles at Wimbledon in 1955. In her incredible career, she amassed a total of 108 titles and was, at one point, the world’s top-ranked female player.
What makes her story even more inspiring is her perseverance despite significant challenges. Angela battled hearing loss and was partially deaf during her 1961 Wimbledon victory. She later revealed that this helped her focus and drown out the distractions of pressure and noise around her. In addition to her hearing impairment, she also faced a severe illness that tested her strength and determination.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to tennis, Angela was honoured with an MBE in 1967 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993. Her legacy in the sport and her spirit of determination will be remembered for years to come.
Angela passed away in the early hours of Monday, leaving behind her loving family — husband John Barrett, himself a prominent tennis figure, their children, and grandchildren.
The All England Club expressed their sorrow, with Chair Deborah Jevans stating, “Angela will be remembered for her determination and extraordinary dedication… Her passing leaves a hole in the fabric of the Club, and she will be greatly missed.”
Our thoughts are with Angela’s family and all who knew and admired this extraordinary woman. 🌟✨ #TennisLegend #AngelaMortimer #WimbledonChampion