Thelma Coyne Long facts for kids
Long in 1932
|
|
| Full name | Thelma Dorothy Coyne Long |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  Australia |
| Born | 14 October 1918 Sydney, Australia |
| Died | 13 April 2015 (aged 96) Sydney, Australia |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Int. Tennis HoF | 2013 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 7 (1952, Lance Tingay) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1952, 1954) |
| French Open | QF (1951) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1952) |
| US Open | QF (1952) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958) |
| French Open | F (1958) |
| Wimbledon | F (1957) |
| US Open | SF (1958) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1951, 1952, 1954, 1955) |
| French Open | W (1956) |
| Wimbledon | F (1952) |
| US Open | F (1938, 1952) |
Thelma Dorothy Coyne Long (born Coyne; 14 October 1918 – 13 April 2015) was a famous Australian tennis player. She was one of the top female players in Australia from the mid-1930s to the 1950s. During her amazing career, she won 19 major tennis titles, known as Grand Slam tournaments. In 2013, Thelma Long was honored by being added to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Contents
Thelma's Tennis Journey
Thelma Long had a fantastic tennis career, winning many important matches.
At the Australian Championships, she won the singles title twice, in 1952 and 1954. She also reached the singles final four other times. In women's doubles, she won 10 titles with her partner Nancye Wynne Bolton. They won together in 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1952. She also won two more doubles titles with Mary Bevis Hawton in 1956 and 1958.
Thelma also excelled in mixed doubles. She won titles in 1951, 1952, and 1955 with George Worthington. In 1954, she won a mixed doubles title with Rex Hartwig.
At Wimbledon, one of the biggest tennis tournaments, Thelma reached the women's doubles final in 1957 with Mary Hawton. She also made it to the mixed doubles final in 1952 with Enrique Morea.
At the French Championships, Thelma was a women's doubles finalist in 1958 with Mary Hawton. She won the mixed doubles title in 1956 with Luis Ayala.
In 1953, Thelma won the singles title at a tournament in Cincinnati. She also won the women's doubles title there with her partner, Anita Kanter.
A sports expert named Lance Tingay ranked Thelma Long among the world's top 10 players in 1952 and 1954. Her highest ranking was World No. 7 in 1952.
After her playing career, Thelma became a tennis coach in 1960. She spent many years teaching young players in New South Wales, Australia. In 1985, Tennis NSW recognized her great contributions by making her a Life Member.
Awards and Honors for Thelma
Thelma Long received several special awards for her achievements:
- On 30 August 2000, she was given the Australian Sports Medal.
- In 2002, she was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. This happened during the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Australia Day.
- In 2013, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor for tennis players from all over the world.
Thelma's Life Story
Thelma Dorothy Coyne was born in Sydney, Australia, on 14 October 1918. She was the only child of Tom and Dorrie Coyne. She went to school at the Sydney Girls High School.
On 30 January 1941, she married Maurice Newton Long. Their marriage ended after World War II.
During the Second World War, in May 1941, Thelma joined the Red Cross. She worked as a transport driver in Melbourne, helping people. On 19 February 1942, she joined the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS). She worked hard and became a captain in April 1944. For her service in the army, she received two special medals: the War Medal 1939–1945 and the Australia Service Medal 1939–1945.
Thelma also volunteered at the State Library of New South Wales. In 1999, she received the Volunteer Service Award for her helpful work there.
Thelma Coyne Long passed away on 13 April 2015, at the age of 96.
Images for kids
-
Thelma Coyne (left) and Nancye Wynne Bolton (right) in Adelaide (1938)
See also
In Spanish: Thelma Coyne Long para niños
- Performance timelines for all female tennis players who reached at least one Grand Slam final
