The ‘Original 9’ group, whose efforts ultimately led to the creation of the WTA, headlined the list of nominees up for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The ‘Original 9’, who took a stand against a disparity in prize money and playing opportunities for women in professional tennis, were nominated in the Contributor Category, the Newport, Rhode Island-based Hall of Fame said on Monday (Sept 21).
Former players Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Lisa Raymond, Jonas Bjorkman and Sergi Bruguera were nominated in the Player Category, while late coach Dennis Van der Meer was listed in the Contributor Category.
The ‘Original 9’ includes Americans Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, and Australians Judy Tegart Dalton and Kerry Melville Reid.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of when the ‘Original 9’ group broke the tennis establishment and signed US$1 contracts with legendary promoter Gladys Heldman to compete in a ground-breaking women-only tournament.
The tournament proved a success and the tenacity of the group, which took active roles in promoting the circuit, led to the creation of the organising body for women’s tennis.
Australian Hewitt, the youngest player (20) ever to claim the world No. 1 ranking, won the US Open and Wimbledon titles during his career.
Former world No. 1 Ferrero won his only Grand Slam at the 2003 French Open and in 2000 was a hero of Spain’s first Davis Cup championship-winning team.
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