Sporting icons : Margaret Court , Aussie women tennis great , Career HLs & video

 

Margaret Court, born on July 16, 1942, in Albury, New South Wales, Australia, is one of the greatest tennis players in history. Renowned for her powerful play and athleticism, Court's career is marked by numerous records and achievements.

Margaret Court was renowned for her powerful and versatile playing style, which set her apart from many of her contemporaries. Key elements of her playing style included:

### Key Elements of Her Playing Style:

1. **Powerful Serve**: Court's serve was one of her most potent weapons. She had a strong, accurate serve that often set her up to dominate points right from the start.

2. **Aggressive Groundstrokes**: She possessed powerful forehands and backhands, which she used to dictate play from the baseline. Her ability to hit deep and forceful groundstrokes put her opponents under constant pressure.

3. **Net Play**: Court was equally adept at playing at the net. She frequently approached the net to finish points, displaying excellent volleying skills and quick reflexes.

4. **Athleticism**: Her exceptional physical fitness and agility allowed her to cover the court effectively and sustain a high level of play throughout long matches.

5. **Versatility**: Court was known for her adaptability on different surfaces. Whether it was grass, clay, or hard courts, she could adjust her game to excel under varying conditions.

6. **Mental Toughness**: Alongside her physical abilities, Court was known for her strong mental game. She remained focused and composed under pressure, which was crucial in her many hard-fought victories.

Margaret Court's playing style, characterized by its combination of power, precision, and versatility, contributed significantly to her dominance in women's tennis during the 1960s and 1970s.

### Achievements:

- **Grand Slam Titles**: Margaret Court holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles, with 24 to her name.

- **Career Grand Slam**: She achieved a career Grand Slam, winning each of the four major titles (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) multiple times.

- **Total Major Titles**: Court's total of 64 major titles, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, is an all-time record.

- **First Female Player**: She was the first female player to win a singles Grand Slam (all four major tournaments in a single calendar year) in the Open Era, achieving this in 1970.

Margaret Court's tennis career is distinguished by her remarkable success in Grand Slam tournaments and other achievements. Here's a detailed breakdown:

### Grand Slam Titles:

#### Singles (24 titles):

- **Australian Open**: 11 titles (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973)

- **French Open**: 5 titles (1962, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1973)

- **Wimbledon**: 3 titles (1963, 1965, 1970)

- **US Open**: 5 titles (1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1973)

#### Doubles (19 titles):

- **Australian Open**: 8 titles (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1973)

- **French Open**: 4 titles (1964, 1965, 1966, 1973)

- **Wimbledon**: 2 titles (1964, 1969)

- **US Open**: 5 titles (1963, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1975)

#### Mixed Doubles (21 titles):

- **Australian Open**: 4 titles (1963, 1964, 1965, 1969)

- **French Open**: 4 titles (1963, 1964, 1965, 1969)

- **Wimbledon**: 5 titles (1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1975)

- **US Open**: 8 titles (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1972)

### Other Achievements:

- **Career Grand Slam**: Achieved in both singles and doubles.

- **Calendar Grand Slam**: Achieved in singles in 1970 and in mixed doubles in 1963 and 1965.

- **Federation Cup**: Part of the Australian team that won the Federation Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup) in 1964, 1965, 1968, and 1970.

- **Professional Career**: Court had an illustrious professional career, winning a total of 192 singles titles.

Margaret Court's records and contributions to tennis have established her as one of the most successful and influential players in the history of the sport.

Margaret Court's dominance in tennis during the 1960s and 1970s has left an indelible mark on the sport, making her a legendary figure in tennis history.

In the below video  briefly watch Margaret Court winning one of her many Wimbledon titles