Original 9 heads 2021 class at International Tennis Hall
KEN POWTAK, Associated Press
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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.
20-year-old American Brooksby makes final in Newport
KEN POWTAKJuly 17, 2021 GMT
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) American Jenson Brooksby beat Jordan Thompson, 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to advance to the final of the Hall of Fame Open.
The 20-year-old Brooksby face Kevin Anderson, who ousted top-seeded Alexander Bublik, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5, in the first semifinal.
Brooksby is the second-youngest player to reach the final in the tournament’s 45-year history on Newport’s grass courts, the only tourney played on grass in North America.
“I was playing better at the end of the second set and brought that confidence to the tie break,” Brooksby said.
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.