Elizabeth Ryan
![]() Ryan in 1913 | |
Full name | Elizabeth Montague Ryan |
---|---|
Country (sports) | ![]() |
Born | Anaheim, California, U.S. | February 5, 1892
Died | July 6, 1979 Wimbledon, England | (aged 87)
Turned pro | 1905 (amateur tour) |
Retired | 1934 |
Plays | Right handed |
Int. Tennis HoF | 1972 (member page) |
Singles | |
Career record | 1064-94 (91.9%) |
Career titles | 244 |
Highest ranking | No. 3 (1927) |
Grand Slam singles results | |
French Open | QF (1926, 1930, 1931) |
Wimbledon | F (1921, 1930) |
US Open | F (1926) |
Other tournaments | |
WHCC | F (1922) |
Doubles | |
Grand Slam doubles results | |
French Open | W (1930, 1932, 1933, 1934) |
Wimbledon | W (1914, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1933, 1934) |
US Open | W (1926) |
Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
French Open | F (1934) |
Wimbledon | W (1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932) |
US Open | W (1926, 1933) |
Elizabeth Montague "Bunny" 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
[edit]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
[edit]Grand Slam finals
[edit]Singles: 3 (3 runner-ups)
[edit]Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1921 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | 2–6, 0–6 |
Loss | 1926 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | 6–4, 4–6, 7–9 |
Loss | 1930 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | 2–6, 2–6 |
Women's doubles: 21 (17 titles, 4 runner-ups)
[edit]Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1914 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–3 |
Win | 1919 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 4–6, 7–5, 6–3 |
Win | 1920 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 6–0 |
Win | 1921 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–2 |
Win | 1922 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–0, 6–4 |
Win | 1923 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–1 |
Win | 1925 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–2, 6–2 |
Loss | 1925 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 4–6, 3–6 |
Win | 1926 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–1 |
Win | 1926 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 3–6, 6–4, 12–10 |
Win | 1927 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–2 |
Win | 1930 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–1 |
Win | 1930 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–2, 9–7 |
Loss | 1931 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–9, 2–6 |
Win | 1932 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–3 |
Loss | 1932 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 4–6, 3–6 |
Win | 1933 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–3 |
Win | 1933 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–2, 9–11, 6–4 |
Loss | 1933 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | default |
Win | 1934 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 3–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
Win | 1934 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–3 |
Mixed doubles: 14 (9 titles, 5 runner-ups)
[edit]Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1919 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–0, 6–0 |
Loss | 1920 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 5–7, 3–6 |
Win | 1921 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–3, 6–1 |
Loss | 1922 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 4–6, 3–6 |
Win | 1923 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 7–5 |
Loss | 1925 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 3–6, 3–6 |
Win | 1926 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 7–5 |
Win | 1927 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 8–6, 6–0 |
Win | 1928 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–5, 6–4 |
Win | 1930 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–1, 6–3 |
Win | 1932 | Wimbledon | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 7–5, 6–2 |
Win | 1933 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 11–9, 6–1 |
Loss | 1934 | French Championships | Clay | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 2–6, 4–6 |
Loss | 1934 | U.S. Championships | Grass | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | 6–4, 11–13, 2–6 |
Grand Slam tournament timelines
[edit]W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | DNQ | A | NH |
Singles
[edit]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.
Women's doubles
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Singles: 1 (1 runner up)
[edit]Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1922 | World Hard Court Championships (3) | Clay | ![]() | 3–6, 2–6 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ 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
[edit]- ^ Dyer, Braven (June 16, 1935). "The Sports Parade". Los Angeles Times. p. 25. Retrieved April 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Bud Collins (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York City: E. P. Dutton. p. 261. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
- ^ 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.
- ^ United States Tennis Association (1988). 1988 Official USTA Tennis Yearbook. Lynn, Massachusetts: H. O. Zimman, Inc. p. 260.
- ^ Will Grimsley (July 8, 1979). "King's Rejoicing Subdued Following 20th Wimbledon Title". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1C – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Ryan Dies at Wimbledon". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. July 7, 1979. p. 12 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980: a BP yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 43, 376. ISBN 9780362020120. OCLC 237184610.
- ^ Collins, Bud (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 259–60. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
- ^ Brace, Reginald; King, Billie Jean (1981). Play Better Tennis: With Billie Jean King and Reginald Brace. Octopus. p. 21. ISBN 0-7064-1223-0.
- ^ "Elizabeth Ryan, 87, Tennis Star Who Won 19 Wimbledon Titles". The New York Times. July 7, 1977. Retrieved July 7, 2021.