Maureen Connolly

Maureen Connolly (1934-1969), American tennis player, the first woman to win the grand slam of tennis—that is, the Australian championships, the French championships, Wimbledon, and the United States championships in one calendar year. Maureen Catherine Connolly was born in San Diego, California, and began playing tennis as a child. In 1951, at the age of 16, she won the U.S. championship title. The following year she won Wimbledon and defended her U.S. championship title.

In 1953 Connolly won all four major tournaments, becoming the first woman and the second player to earn the grand slam. (American player Don Budge accomplished the feat in 1938.) Connolly won the French championship title and Wimbledon in 1954, but before the U.S. championships she was involved in a severe horseback-riding accident, ending her competitive tennis career. After she retired as a player she stayed involved with the sport as a coach. Connolly died of cancer at age 34.