Tuesday 24 May 2016

Qui était Suzanne Lenglen, la première star du tennis féminin ?


The French tennis player would have been 117 years old this May 24, 2016. Back to the story of a champion out of the ordinary.


It is part of the giants of world tennis whose names through the ages. For some, " Suzanne Lenglen " is the name of a station of the Paris tramway. For others, it is that of a park, a street, a city stadium ... But above all, it is in the great history of tennis that the French champion has his name. C 'there was just 117 years: May 24, 1899, in Paris, Suzanne Rachel Flore Lenglen was born. A decade later, the little girl discovers a talent for tennis. The story started: in barely a teenager, Suzanne Lenglen asserts the circuit against the best. In 1914, when she was just 15 years , the French tilts final of Roland Garros , which is not yet at the time that a national tournament. This first test soon turned. Suzanne Lenglen wins the next four editions A queen was born. Only jaundice prevents him from seeking a fifth win in a row.


An invincible champion

Roland Garros is not the only tournament where the shots racket Parisian wreak havoc. On the grass of Wimbledon , Suzanne Lenglen also shows voracious. Unplayable , it sickens opponents and won five times the Grand Slam tournament from 1919 to 1923. back in 1925, it raises the cup for the sixth and last time. At Roland Garros, international tournament since 1925, the harvest is as successful: Suzanne Lenglen won two new titles. In doubles, the superstar is ruthless with six titles in each Grand Slam. Even in mixed competition lays down arms. At the Olympics in 1920 in Antwerp, the French is adorned with gold . The one we nicknamed "The Divine" is not only a great champion. It is also the first to play wearing skirts created by fashion designer Jean Patou.In 1926, a quarrel at Wimbledon - and especially with the Queen Elizabeth - precipitated the end of the amateur career Suzanne Lenglen, who went into exile on the professional tour in the US for a while.


A cut and a short his name at Roland Garros

Young retired in Paris, Suzanne Lenglen died at the age of 39 following a leukemia . His story continues regardless. Its impact and will be on the tennis paved the way to the champions who followed him. Suzanne Lenglen had a pioneering role for women's tennis, long remained in the shadows. In 1978, she became the first French entry to prestigious Tennis Hall of Fame (Hall of Fame). Not until the following century to see other traffic champions join him (Françoise Dürr in 2003, Simonne Mathieu in 2006 and Amelie Mauresmo in 2015). In 1997 the tournament Roland Garros pays homage by giving his name the second runs the largest stadium (after Philippe Chatrier). The trophy awarded to the tennis player who wins the tournament is named " Suzanne Lenglen Cup ," the name of the winner of the first international edition of the competition. Suzanne Lenglen street in the 16th arrondissement of Paris leads straight to Roland Garros, where a marble statue "The Divine" is erected.

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