2021/07/18 07:58 NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) A group of trailblazing women known as the “Original 9” now officially have a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The nine teamed with Philip Morris’ Virginia Slims cigarette brand to launch the tour in the early 1970s and bring more prize money to the women’s game. On Saturday night, that grassroots action led to their enshrinement on the grass courts of the Hall as part of the class of 2021. They joined a class that included former Australian star Lleyton Hewitt from the player category and Dennis Van der Meer, who was inducted posthumously, as a contributor.