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GREATEST MOMENTS

The Match of the Century

In 1926, Suzanne Lenglen of France was the biggest star in women’s tennis. Helen Wills, the demure Californian, was an up-and-coming player who at 20 already had won two U.S. Open Championships and two gold medals at the 1924 Olympics. Wills flew all the way to the south of France for the possibility of facing Lenglen in a tournament in Cannes. Media hype for the “Match of the Century” reached a fever pitch when both women made the final.

Lenglen, with her six Wimbledon titles and flamboyant lifestyle, was regular tabloid fodder. The experience was new for Wills, who would go on to win 19 major titles but did not play her best in this spotlight against Lenglen. Royalty from Russia, Sweden, and India attended the match played in front of a stadium packed with 6,000 fans. Lenglen won 6-3, 8-6 in the only match between the two tennis legends.

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