Born: September 22, 1870 (Ealing, Middlesex, England)
Biography:
Charlotte Chattie Cooper Sterry, born Charlotte Reinagle Cooper on September 22, 1870, in Ealing, Middlesex, England, was a trailblazer in women’s tennis and a pioneer in women’s sports. She made history by becoming the first female Olympic tennis champion in 1900 and was a five-time singles champion at the Wimbledon Championships. Cooper Sterry’s remarkable achievements and lasting legacy have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Growing up in a miller’s family, Cooper Sterry developed a passion for tennis at a young age. She began her tennis journey at the Ealing Lawn Tennis Club, where she received coaching from H. Lawrence, Charles Martin, and Harold Mahony. In 1893, she won her first senior singles title at Ilkley, setting the stage for an outstanding career ahead.
Cooper Sterry’s debut at the Wimbledon Championships came in 1893, and she would go on to participate in an incredible 21 tournaments between 1893 and 1917. In her first appearance, she reached the semifinals, narrowly losing to the talented Blanche Bingley Hillyard. However, in 1895, Cooper Sterry claimed her first singles title, overcoming a 0-5 deficit in both sets to defeat Helen Jackson in the All-Comers event.
The following year, Cooper Sterry successfully defended her title in the Challenge Round against Alice Simpson Pickering. Between 1897 and 1901, she faced stiff competition from Bingley Hillyard, with both players taking turns securing the championship. Notably, the 1902 Challenge Round match against Muriel Robb remains significant as it was halted due to rainfall and replayed the next day. Robb emerged victorious, winning 7-5, 6-1 in a total of 53 games, setting a record for the longest women’s singles final at that time.
In 1908, at the age of 37 and as a mother of two, Cooper Sterry defied expectations by winning her last singles title. She defeated Agnes Morton in straight sets in the All-Comers final, after a seven-year hiatus. This victory made her the oldest Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion, and her record of eight consecutive singles finals stood until 1990 when Martina Navratilova reached her ninth consecutive singles final.
Cooper Sterry’s success extended beyond singles competition. She also claimed seven All-England mixed doubles titles, partnering with Harold Mahony (1894-1898), Laurence Doherty (1900), and Xenophon Casdagli (1908). Additionally, in 1913, she reached the final of the first Wimbledon women’s doubles event with Dorothea Douglass, 18 years after winning her first Wimbledon title.
Beyond Wimbledon, Cooper Sterry showcased her skill and dominance in other tournaments. She secured the singles title in the Irish Lawn Tennis Championships in 1895 and 1898, a highly prestigious tournament at the time.
However, Cooper Sterry’s most significant achievement came in 1900 at the Summer Olympics in Paris. As the first Olympics to include women’s events, Cooper Sterry made history by becoming the first female Olympic tennis champion. Her triumph solidified her status as a groundbreaking figure in women’s sports and a trailblazer for future generations.
Cooper Sterry’s influence extended far beyond her own achievements. As one of the early pioneers of women’s tennis, she helped pave the way for female athletes, inspiring countless young women to pursue their passion for sports. Her resilience, determination, and groundbreaking accomplishments remain an enduring testament to the power of women in sports and their ability to overcome societal barriers.
Awards:
– Five-time singles champion at the Wimbledon Championships.
– First female Olympic tennis champion, 1900.