| Women and Tennis in the United States |
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How women's tennis came to America
An article by Jone Johnson Lewis, Women's History Guide |
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| Wimbledon champion Lambert Chambers |
Outerbridge bought equipment for the game in Bermuda and brought it home to Staten Island, where she introduce the game to her friends. Her brother was director of the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club, and, seeing the growing popularity of this game, he added a lawn tennis court.
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| Helen Willis and Mrs. George Wightman: Doubles at Wimbledon |
Lawn tennis was popular among the well-to-do, who played avidly in their leisure time for health, competition and entertainment. Tennis, like golf, was part of a culture of exclusive private sports clubs for wealthy men and their wives and children. Jews,
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| Sketch of tennis attire about 1930 |
One side effect of all this athletic activity by the wealthy was that it prompted the educated leaders of many settlement houses and later public programs to emphasize the health and mental benefits for children in poor neighborhoods. Althea Gibson is an example of a beneficiary of such efforts.
Images used in this article:
© 1999-2002 www.arttoday.com
| More on women and tennis |
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About Althea Gibson
The story of Althea Gibson: from the slums of Harlem to the top ranks of tennis. Link to more resources on Gibson, too.Women and Tennis
More resources on women and tennis, especially female tennis players.
Text copyright 1999-2004 © Jone Johnson Lewis.
