Maria Bueno facts for kids
Bueno in 2016
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| Full name | Maria Esther Andion Bueno |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  Brazil |
| Born | 11 October 1939 São Paulo, Brazil |
| Died | 8 June 2018 (aged 78) São Paulo, Brazil |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Turned pro | 1950 |
| Retired | 1977 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Int. Tennis HoF | 1978 (member page) |
| Official website | www.mariabueno.org |
| Singles | |
| Career titles | 63 |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (1959) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | F (1965) |
| French Open | F (1964) |
| Wimbledon | W (1959, 1960, 1964) |
| US Open | W (1959, 1963, 1964, 1966) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1960) |
| French Open | W (1960) |
| Wimbledon | W (1958, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966) |
| US Open | W (1960, 1962, 1966, 1968) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1960) |
| French Open | W (1960) |
| Wimbledon | F (1959, 1960, 1967) |
| US Open | F (1958, 1960) |
Maria Esther Andion Bueno (born October 11, 1939 – died June 8, 2018) was an amazing tennis player from Brazil. She played tennis professionally for 11 years in the 1950s and 1960s.
She won 19 major titles called Grand Slams. These included seven in singles, 11 in women's doubles, and one in mixed doubles. This makes her the most successful female tennis player from South America ever. She is also the only South American woman to win the famous Wimbledon tournament. Maria Bueno was ranked the number one female player in the world in 1959 and 1960. People admired her graceful and elegant way of playing.
In 1960, Maria Bueno made history. She was the first woman to win a "calendar-year Grand Slam" in doubles. This means she won all four major tennis tournaments in the same year. She won three of these titles with her partner Darlene Hard and one with Christine Truman.
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Maria Bueno's Tennis Journey
Maria Bueno was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Her father was a businessman who loved playing tennis at his club. Her older brother, Pedro, also played tennis. Maria started playing tennis when she was just six years old. She played at the Clube de Regatas Tiete in São Paulo.
She didn't have any formal coaching when she was young. Even so, she won her first tournament at age 12. By the time she was 15, she had already won her country's women's singles championship. In 1957, at 17, she traveled outside Brazil for the first time. She won the Orange Bowl juniors tournament in Florida, USA.
Joining the World of Tennis
In 1958, Maria Bueno joined the international tennis circuit. She quickly won the singles title at the Italian Championships. That same year, she won her first Grand Slam title. She won the women's doubles at Wimbledon with Althea Gibson.
The next year, 1959, was a huge year for Maria. She won her first singles title at Wimbledon. She beat Darlene Hard in the final match. She also won the singles title at the U.S. Championships. She won against Christine Truman in a very strong performance. These wins helped her become the World No. 1 ranked player for 1959. She also received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award.
Maria Bueno was the first woman from outside North America to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships in the same year. When she returned to Brazil, she was a national hero. The country's president honored her. She even had a big parade in the streets of São Paulo.
Top Rankings and Grand Slam Success
Experts like Lance Tingay and Bud Collins ranked Maria Bueno among the world's top ten players. This was from 1958 to 1960, and again from 1962 to 1968. She reached the World No. 1 spot in 1959 and 1960. The International Tennis Hall of Fame also lists her as the top player in 1964 and 1966.
Maria Bueno won the singles title at Wimbledon three times. She also won the U.S. Championships singles title four times. She reached the finals of the Australian Championships and the French Championships. In both of those finals, she lost to Margaret Court. Maria reached at least the quarterfinals in her first 26 Grand Slam singles tournaments. This amazing streak ended in 1967 at Wimbledon due to an arm injury.
As a doubles player, Maria Bueno won 12 Grand Slam championships. She won these with six different partners. In 1960, she became the first woman to win the women's doubles title at all four Grand Slam tournaments in one year. She played with Christine Truman at the Australian Championships. For the French Championships, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Championships, her partner was Darlene Hard.
Challenges and Playing Style
Maria's tennis career was sometimes interrupted by injuries to her arms and legs. After 1968, she played less often. Her last tournament win was the Japan Open in 1974. She officially stopped playing tennis in 1977.
People described her playing style as bold and aggressive. She had a powerful serve. She was also very good at volleying, which means hitting the ball before it bounces. She often moved quickly to the net during matches. Bud Collins said she was "incomparably balletic and flamboyant." Maria didn't use a coach. She believed her speed on the court came from training with men. The famous American player Billie Jean King said Maria was an inspiration to her. Maria was also known for her stylish tennis outfits. These were designed by Ted Tinling.
Life After Tennis
After retiring from playing, Maria Bueno worked as a commentator. She shared her tennis knowledge on SporTV, a Brazilian cable television sports channel.
Maria Bueno's Passing
Maria Bueno passed away on June 8, 2018. She was 78 years old. She had been in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, for mouth cancer. She was diagnosed in 2016 with a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer. The day after her death, a moment of applause was held in her honor. This tribute took place before the Women's Singles final at the 2018 French Open.
Honors and Legacy
Maria Bueno received many honors for her incredible career.
- In 1959, the Brazilian postal service, Correios do Brasil, issued a special stamp. It honored her for winning the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championships.
- That same year, the Associated Press voted her the Female Athlete of the Year.
- In 1978, Maria Bueno was welcomed into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
- In 2003, she received the prestigious Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award from the International Club.
- The Seniors World Team Championships for women aged 50 and over is named the "Maria Esther Bueno Cup." This is a tribute from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
- In 2015, the main court at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro was named after her.
- In October 2018, Maria Esther Bueno was given the Medal of Sporting Merit. This award from the Chamber of Councilors of São Paulo recognizes people who have greatly helped sports in the city.
In Spanish: Maria Bueno para niños
