Anita Lizana facts for kids
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| Full name | Anita Lizana de Ellis |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  Chile |
| Born | 19 November 1915 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | 21 August 1994 (aged 78) Sutton, London, England |
| Height | 1.59 m (5 ft 2+1⁄2 in) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Singles | |
| Highest ranking | No.1 (1937) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| French Open | 3R (1935) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1936, 1937) |
| US Open | W (1937) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| French Open | 1R (1935) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1938, 1947) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1939) |
Anita Lizana de Ellis (born November 19, 1915 – died August 21, 1994) was an amazing tennis player from Chile. She became the world's number one female tennis player. This was a huge achievement!
Anita was the first person from Latin America and the first Hispanic person to be ranked number one in the world for tennis. She was also the first Latin American to win a major tennis championship called a Grand Slam. She won the U.S. Championships singles title in 1937. In the final match, she beat Jadwiga Jędrzejowska without losing a single set.
Contents
Anita's Tennis Journey
Winning the U.S. Championships
In 1937, Anita Lizana played in the U.S. Championships. This is one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world. She played incredibly well.
She beat three top-ranked players on her way to the final. She didn't lose a single set in any of those matches. In the final, she faced Jadwiga Jędrzejowska. Anita won that match too, again without losing a set. This made her a Grand Slam champion!
Playing at Wimbledon
Anita also played at the famous Wimbledon Championships in England. She reached the quarterfinals in both 1936 and 1937. In 1936, she lost to Helen Jacobs, who went on to win the tournament. The next year, in 1937, she lost to Simonne Mathieu in the quarterfinals.
Other Important Wins
Anita Lizana won the Scottish Championships four times. She won it three years in a row from 1935 to 1937. She won it again later in 1946.
In 1936, she won two more big titles in England. She won the British Covered Court Championships at the Queen's Club in London. She also won the South of England Championships in Eastbourne. There, she beat Dorothy Round in the final.
Becoming World Number One
Because of her amazing performances, Anita Lizana was ranked among the top 10 tennis players in the world in 1936 and 1937. In 1937, she reached her highest ranking. She became the world's number one tennis player! This was reported by A. Wallis Myers, a famous tennis writer.
Later Career and Family Life
After she got married, Anita played less tennis. World War II also affected her career. She had children, which meant she couldn't play as much as before. She did play some tournaments in 1946. That year, she won the Scottish Championship in Edinburgh and the Scottish Hard Court Championships.
Anita's Personal Life
Anita Lizana grew up in Santiago, Chile. Her home was inside the Quinta Normal Park. In July 1938, she got married in London. She married Ronald Taylor Ellis, who was from Scotland. He was also a tennis player.
After they got married, Anita and Ronald lived in Dundee, Scotland. They had three daughters together. Anita Lizana passed away on August 21, 1994, from stomach cancer.
In 2015, the main tennis court at the national stadium in Santiago, Chile, was named after her. It is now called Court Central Anita Lizana. This was done to honor her amazing achievements in tennis.
Grand Slam Final
U.S. Championships Singles Title
Anita Lizana won one major Grand Slam title in singles. Here is how she did it:
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1937 | U.S. Championships | Grass |  Jadwiga Jędrzejowska |
6–4, 6–2 |
See also
In Spanish: Anita Lizana para niños
