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1926 Suzanne Lenglen vs. Helen Wills tennis match...
1926 Suzanne Lenglen vs. Helen Wills tennis match...
Item # 723279
February 16, 1926
THE DAY, Feb. 16, 1926
* "Match of the Century" - Women's tennis
* Suzanne Lenglen vs. Helen Wills (Moody)
* Carlton Club tournament in Cannes on the French Riviera
The top of the front page has a five column headline: "SUZZANNE LENGLEN DEFEATS HELEN WILLS IN STRAIGHT SETS 6-3, AND 8-6" with subheads and photo of each opponent. (see images)
Complete with 22 pages, some tiny bind g holes along the spine, minor margin wear, generally nice.
AI notes: The celebrated Suzanne Lenglen–Helen Wills match at Cannes, France, played on February 16, 1926, was a defining moment in women’s tennis, often described as a symbolic passing-of-the-torch contest. Staged at the Carlton Club in Cannes before an audience that included royalty, aristocrats, and leading figures of international sport, the match brought together two contrasting eras and styles: Lenglen, the elegant French champion whose artistry, speed, and tactical intelligence had dominated women’s tennis since World War I, and Wills, the powerful, stoic American whose baseline-driven game represented the sport’s modern future. Lenglen won 6–3, 8–6, controlling much of the match with precise placement, deceptive spins, and court awareness, while Wills pushed her relentlessly with deep, forceful groundstrokes that tested Lenglen’s stamina and nerve. Although Lenglen emerged victorious, the closeness of the second set underscored the narrowing gap between the reigning legend and the challenger, and many observers noted that Wills’ physical style would soon prevail as the dominant model in women’s tennis. The match captivated the global press, elevated women’s tennis to unprecedented cultural prominence, and became Lenglen’s final great amateur triumph before she turned professional the following day, giving the encounter lasting historical significance.
Category: The 20th Century
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