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Elizabeth Ryan

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Elizabeth Ryan
Ryan in 1913
Full nameElizabeth Montague Ryan
Country (sports) United States
Born(1892-02-05)February 5, 1892
Anaheim, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 6, 1979(1979-07-06) (aged 87)
Wimbledon, England
Turned pro1905 (amateur tour)
Retired1934
PlaysRight handed
Int. Tennis HoF1972 (member page)
Singles
Career record1064-94 (91.9%)
Career titles244
Highest rankingNo. 3 (1927)
Grand Slam singles results
French OpenQF (1926, 1930, 1931)
WimbledonF (1921, 1930)
US OpenF (1926)
Other tournaments
WHCCF (1922)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
French OpenW (1930, 1932, 1933, 1934)
WimbledonW (1914, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1933, 1934)
US OpenW (1926)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French OpenF (1934)
WimbledonW (1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932)
US OpenW (1926, 1933)

Elizabeth Montague "Bunny" Ryan[1] (February 5, 1892 – July 6, 1979) was an American tennis player who was born in Anaheim, California, but lived most of her adult life in the United Kingdom. Ryan won 26 Grand Slam titles, 19 in women's doubles and mixed doubles at Wimbledon, an all-time record for those two events. Twelve of her Wimbledon titles were in women's doubles and seven were in mixed doubles. Ryan also won four women's doubles titles at the French Championships, as well as one women's doubles title and two mixed-doubles titles at the U.S. Championships. During a 19-year run Ryan amassed a total of 659 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.[2]

Career

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Although she reached the Wimbledon singles finals twice, Ryan never won the title. Eight of her losses at Wimbledon were to players generally considered to be among the best ever. Ryan had to play Dorothea Lambert Chambers in the all-comers final of 1920; Suzanne Lenglen in the 1919 semifinals (losing 6–4, 7–5), 1921 final, 1922 quarterfinals, 1924 quarterfinals (losing 6–2, 6–8, 6–4), and 1925 second round; and Helen Wills Moody in the 1928 semifinals and 1930 final.

In the 1926 singles final at the U.S. Championships, the 34-year-old Ryan led 42-year-old Molla Bjurstedt Mallory 4–6, 6–4, 4–0 and had a match point at 7–6 in the third set before losing the final three games of the match.[3]

Ryan and her longtime partner Lenglen never lost a women's doubles match at Wimbledon, going 31–0.[3] Only Billie Jean King (224 match wins) and Martina Navratilova won more matches at Wimbledon than Ryan (190 match wins): 47–15 in singles, 73–4 in women's doubles, and 70–9 in mixed doubles.[3]

The longtime tennis writer Ted Tinling has credited Ryan with inventing the volleying style later perfected by players such as Sarah Palfrey Cooke, Alice Marble, Louise Brough Clapp, Margaret Osborne duPont, Doris Hart, Darlene Hard, Margaret Court, Navratilova, and King. "Before World War I, women's tennis consisted primary of slogging duels from the baseline. There were a few volleying pioneers, notably ... Hazel [Hotchkiss] Wightman and Ethel [Thomson] Larcombe, but volleying as a fundamental, aggressive technique was first injected into the women's game by ... Ryan."[4] Tinling, however, also said about Ryan, "Elizabeth wasn't fast enough for singles. Too heavy."[5]

According to A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Ryan was ranked in the world top 10 from 1921 (when the rankings began) through 1928 and again in 1930, reaching a career high of world No. 3 in those rankings in 1927.[6] Ryan was ranked second behind Mallory in the year-end rankings issued by the United States Lawn Tennis Association for 1925 and 1926.[7]

Ryan died on July 6, 1979, at age 87 on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon, following the ladies singles final and the day before Billie Jean King broke her record number of Wimbledon wins by winning her 20th title.[8][9][10] When tennis writer and television commentator Bud Collins tried to arrange for Ryan and King to film an interview together at Wimbledon in 1979, Ryan refused.[5] King said "I always liked seeing Miss Ryan at Wimbledon, and I'd try to be friendly, but she didn't seem to want it. For me, it wasn't personal. Sure, I wanted the record, but I wasn't trying to steal a possession of hers."[11] King also said "[T]here is no doubt in my mind that she just didn't want to be alive to see her record broken. She was [87], she had held it for a long, long time and she wanted it for herself. But records are there to be broken."[12] Two years before her death, Ryan had told Ted Tinling, the tennis fashion designer, "I hope I don't live to see my record broken, but if someone is to break it, I hope it is Billie Jean. She has so much courage on the court." According to reports, Ryan became ill while watching the men's doubles final and excused herself, heading for the women's rest room. She collapsed there and was rushed to the hospital, where she died at 5:20 p.m. London time.[13]

Career statistics

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Grand Slam finals

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Singles: 3 (3 runner-ups)

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Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1921 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen 2–6, 0–6
Loss 1926 U.S. Championships Grass United States Molla Mallory 6–4, 4–6, 7–9
Loss 1930 Wimbledon Grass United States Helen Wills 2–6, 2–6

Women's doubles: 21 (17 titles, 4 runner-ups)

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Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1914 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Agnes Morton United Kingdom Edith Hannam
United Kingdom Ethel Thomson Larcombe
6–1, 6–3
Win 1919 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Dorothea Lambert Chambers
United Kingdom Ethel Thomson Larcombe
4–6, 7–5, 6–3
Win 1920 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Dorothea Lambert Chambers
United Kingdom Ethel Thomson Larcombe
6–4, 6–0
Win 1921 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Geraldine Beamish
South Africa Irene Bowder Peacock
6–1, 6–2
Win 1922 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Kathleen McKane Godfree
United Kingdom Margaret McKane Stocks
6–0, 6–4
Win 1923 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Joan Austin
United Kingdom Evelyn Colyer
6–3, 6–1
Win 1925 Wimbledon Grass France Suzanne Lenglen United Kingdom Kathleen Lidderdale
United Kingdom Mary McIlquham
6–2, 6–2
Loss 1925 U.S. Championships Grass United States May Sutton United States Mary Browne
United States Helen Wills
4–6, 3–6
Win 1926 Wimbledon Grass United States Mary Browne United Kingdom Evelyn Colyer
United Kingdom Kathleen McKane Godfree
6–1, 6–1
Win 1926 U.S. Championships Grass United States Eleanor Goss United States Mary Browne
United States Charlotte Hosmer Chapin
3–6, 6–4, 12–10
Win 1927 Wimbledon Grass United States Helen Wills South Africa Bobbie Heine
South Africa Irene Bowder Peacock
6–3, 6–2
Win 1930 French Championships Clay United States Helen Wills France Simone Barbier
France Simonne Mathieu
6–3, 6–1
Win 1930 Wimbledon Grass United States Helen Wills United Kingdom Edith Cross
United States Sarah Palfrey
6–2, 9–7
Loss 1931 French Championships Clay Germany Cilly Aussem United Kingdom Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
United Kingdom Betty Nuthall
7–9, 2–6
Win 1932 French Championships Clay United States Helen Wills United Kingdom Eileen Bennett Whittingstall
United Kingdom Betty Nuthall
6–1, 6–3
Loss 1932 Wimbledon Grass United States Helen Jacobs France Doris Metaxa
Belgium Josane Sigart
4–6, 3–6
Win 1933 French Championships Clay France Simonne Mathieu France Sylvie Jung Henrotin
France Colette Rosambert
6–1, 6–3
Win 1933 Wimbledon Grass France Simonne Mathieu United Kingdom Freda James
United Kingdom Billie Yorke
6–2, 9–11, 6–4
Loss 1933 U.S. Championships Grass United States Helen Wills United Kingdom Freda James
United Kingdom Betty Nuthall
default
Win 1934 French Championships Clay France Simonne Mathieu United States Helen Jacobs
United States Sarah Palfrey
3–6, 6–4, 6–2
Win 1934 Wimbledon Grass France Simonne Mathieu United Kingdom Dorothy Andrus
France Sylvie Jung Henrotin
6–3, 6–3

Mixed doubles: 14 (9 titles, 5 runner-ups)

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Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1919 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers
United Kingdom Albert Prebble
6–0, 6–0
Loss 1920 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett France Suzanne Lenglen
Australia Gerald Patterson
5–7, 3–6
Win 1921 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett United Kingdom Phyllis Howkins
United Kingdom Max Woosnam
6–3, 6–1
Loss 1922 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett France Suzanne Lenglen
Australia Pat O'Hara Wood
4–6, 3–6
Win 1923 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett United Kingdom Dorothy Shepherd-Barron
British Raj Lewis Deane
6–4, 7–5
Loss 1925 Wimbledon Grass Italy Umberto de Morpurgo France Suzanne Lenglen
France Jean Borotra
3–6, 3–6
Win 1926 U.S. Championships Grass France Jean Borotra United States Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
France René Lacoste
6–4, 7–5
Win 1927 Wimbledon Grass United States Frank Hunter United Kingdom Kathleen McKane Godfree
United Kingdom Leslie Godfree
8–6, 6–0
Win 1928 Wimbledon Grass South Africa Patrick Spence Australia Daphne Akhurst
Australia Jack Crawford
7–5, 6–4
Win 1930 Wimbledon Grass Australia Jack Crawford Germany Hilde Krahwinkel
Germany Daniel Prenn
6–1, 6–3
Win 1932 Wimbledon Grass Spain Enrique Maier Belgium Josane Sigart
Australia Harry Hopman
7–5, 6–2
Win 1933 U.S. Championships Grass United States Ellsworth Vines United States Sarah Palfrey
United States George Lott
11–9, 6–1
Loss 1934 French Championships Clay Australia Adrian Quist France Colette Rosambert
France Jean Borotra
2–6, 4–6
Loss 1934 U.S. Championships Grass United States Lester Stoefen United States Helen Jacobs
United States George Lott
6–4, 11–13, 2–6

Grand Slam tournament timelines

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

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Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [a] A A A NH NH NH NH NH A A A A NH A QF A A A QF QF 1R 1R 1R 0 / 7
Wimbledon QF 1R ACF NH NH NH NH SF ACF F QF SF QF 2R 3R SF SF 3R F A 1R1 A A 0 / 16
U.S. Championships A A A A A A A A A A A A A QF F A A A A A A A QF 0 / 3
SR 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 3 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 26

ACF = All comers final, with the winner to play the defending champion.

1 Ryan did not play. Her opponent got a walkover.

Women's doubles

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Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [a] A NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A NH A NH A SF A A A W F W W W 4 / 6
Wimbledon NH 2R W NH NH NH NH W W W W W QF W W W SF SF W A F W W 12 / 16
U.S. Championships A A A A A A A A A A A A A F W A A A A A A F SF 1 / 4
SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 2 2 / 3 1 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 2 / 2 0 / 1 1 / 2 2 / 3 2 / 3 17 / 26

Mixed doubles

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Tournament 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Career SR
Australian Open NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH NH A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0
French Championships [a] A A A NH NH NH NH NH ? ? ? ? NH ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? F 0 / 1
Wimbledon NH ? ? NH NH NH NH W F W F W 2R F SF W W SF W A W QF QF 7 / 15
U.S. Championships ? A A ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? W ? ? ? ? ? ? W F 2 / 3
SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 2 1 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 1 1 / 1 0 / 0 1 / 1 1 / 2 0 / 3 9 / 19

World Championship finals

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Singles: 1 (1 runner up)

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Result Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1922 World Hard Court Championships (3) Clay France Suzanne Lenglen 3–6, 2–6

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Through 1923, the French Championships were open only to French nationals. The World Hard Court Championships (WHCC), actually played on clay in Paris or Brussels, began in 1912 and were open to all nationalities. The results from that tournament are shown here from 1912 through 1914 and from 1920 through 1923. The Olympics replaced the WHCC in 1924, as the Olympics were held in Paris. Beginning in 1925, the French Championships were open to all nationalities, with the results shown here beginning with that year.

References

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  1. ^ Dyer, Braven (June 16, 1935). "The Sports Parade". Los Angeles Times. p. 25. Retrieved April 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Elizabeth Ryan, 87, Tennis Star Who Won 19 Wimbledon Titles". The New York Times. New York, United States. July 7, 1979. p. 24. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Bud Collins (2008). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book. New York, N.Y.: New Chapter Press. p. 618. ISBN 978-0-942257-41-0.
  4. ^ Ted Tinling (1980). "The King–Ryan Connection". In John Gilchrist Barrett (ed.). World of Tennis 1980: A BP Yearbook. London: Queen Ann Press. p. 56.
  5. ^ a b Bud Collins (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York City: E. P. Dutton. p. 261. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  6. ^ Bud Collins (2008). The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book. New York City: New Chapter Press. pp. 695, 701. ISBN 978-0-942257-41-0.
  7. ^ United States Tennis Association (1988). 1988 Official USTA Tennis Yearbook. Lynn, Massachusetts: H. O. Zimman, Inc. p. 260.
  8. ^ Will Grimsley (July 8, 1979). "King's Rejoicing Subdued Following 20th Wimbledon Title". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1C – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Ryan Dies at Wimbledon". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. July 7, 1979. p. 12 – via Google News Archive.
  10. ^ John Barrett, ed. (1980). World of Tennis 1980: a BP yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 43, 376. ISBN 9780362020120. OCLC 237184610.
  11. ^ Collins, Bud (1989). My Life With the Pros. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 259–60. ISBN 0-525-24659-2.
  12. ^ Brace, Reginald; King, Billie Jean (1981). Play Better Tennis: With Billie Jean King and Reginald Brace. Octopus. p. 21. ISBN 0-7064-1223-0.
  13. ^ "Elizabeth Ryan, 87, Tennis Star Who Won 19 Wimbledon Titles". The New York Times. July 7, 1977. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
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