LONDON — The tennis world is mourning the loss of a true champion and pioneer of the sport. Angela Mortimer Barrett, the British tennis legend who captured the Wimbledon women's singles title in 1961, has died at the age of 93. Her passing was confirmed by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which described her as "a wonderful champion and a truly special person."
Mortimer Barrett's victory at the 1961 Championships was a landmark moment in British tennis history. In a thrilling final played on the hallowed Centre Court, she defeated her great rival and fellow Briton, Christine Truman Janes, in three hard-fought sets, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. This triumph made her the first British woman to win the Wimbledon singles title since Dorothy Round in 1937, ending a 24-year wait for home success and cementing her status as a national sporting hero.
A Champion Forged Through Adversity
Angela Mortimer's path to the pinnacle of tennis was anything but straightforward. Born in Plymouth in 1932, she suffered from a severe bout of measles as a child, which left her almost completely deaf. She learned to lip-read to communicate and never allowed her disability to hinder her ambitions on the court. In fact, many contemporaries believed her hearing loss heightened her other senses, particularly her intense concentration, which became a hallmark of her game.
Her playing style was defined by grit, determination, and classic technique. A baseliner with a powerful forehand and relentless consistency, she was known for her fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. Fellow 1950s star Shirley Bloomer Brasher once said of her, "She was the best competitor I ever met. She just would not give in."
A Stellar Career and Grand Slam Pedigree
While the 1961 Wimbledon crown was her most famous achievement, Mortimer Barrett's career was decorated with major titles. She was a dominant force throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, winning three Grand Slam singles titles in total:
- Australian Championships (1958): Defeated Lorraine Coghlan in the final.
- French Championships (1955): Defeated Dorothy Head Knode to claim her first major.
- Wimbledon (1961): Her crowning glory, defeating Christine Truman.
In addition to her singles success, she also won five Grand Slam titles in women's doubles and mixed doubles. She reached the world No. 1 ranking in 1961, the same year she was awarded the prestigious title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Her career was a testament to her skill and perseverance, achieving the highest honors in a sport that demands both physical and mental fortitude.
The Historic 1961 Wimbledon Final
The final against Christine Truman remains one of the most memorable in Wimbledon's history. Played in front of a fervent, partisan crowd, the match was a dramatic see-saw battle. After losing the first set, Mortimer Barrett dug deep, using her precise groundstrokes to wrestle control from the more powerful Truman. The decisive third set was a tense affair, with Mortimer Barrett finally clinching victory on her fourth match point. The win sparked joyous celebrations across the country, as she had finally returned the Venus Rosewater Dish to British hands.
Reflecting on that day in a later interview, she displayed her characteristic modesty, stating, "I was just so relieved to have won. It was what I had always dreamed of, but the match was so close and Christine was playing so well. I think the crowd willed me over the line in the end. It was a very special feeling."
Life After Tennis and Lasting Legacy
Mortimer Barrett retired from top-level tennis in 1962, shortly after her Wimbledon triumph, and married businessman John Barrett, a former Davis Cup player and later a renowned tennis commentator for the BBC. The couple became a formidable duo in the tennis world, with John often referring to Angela as "the boss." She remained closely involved with the game, coaching and offering her wisdom to future generations of players.
Her legacy is profound. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993, a fitting recognition of her impact on the sport. In an era before the Open period and large financial rewards, Mortimer Barrett played for the love of competition and the glory of the game. She paved the way for future British champions like Virginia Wade and, more recently, Andy Murray, showing that British players could once again win on the biggest stage.
Tributes Pour In For A Legend
News of her passing has been met with an outpouring of respect and affection from across the tennis community. The All England Club stated, "Angela Mortimer’s historic victory in 1961 will forever be remembered as one of Wimbledon’s most cherished moments. Her dedication, sportsmanship and grace were an inspiration to all who watched her play. Our thoughts are with her family and friends."
Former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade, who would win the title herself in 1977, paid tribute to her predecessor, saying, "Angela was a huge inspiration to me. She was a fierce competitor but always a lady on the court. She showed us all what was possible and carried herself with such dignity. A true champion in every sense."
Angela Mortimer Barrett's story is one of incredible triumph over adversity. A woman who refused to be defined by her disability, she instead defined an era of British tennis with her courage, skill, and unforgettable victory on the lawns of Wimbledon. She is survived by her husband, John, and their son. Her name is forever etched in the annals of sporting history.