When did the Wightman Cup start and end?
When did the Wightman Cup start and end?
The Wightman Cup was an annual team tennis competition for women contested from 1923 through 1989 (except during World War II) between teams from the United States and Great Britain .
Who are the members of the American Wightman Cup?
Members of the American Wightman Cup Team, from left to right: Josephine Cruickshank, Carolin Babcock, Helen Jacobs, Alice Marble and Sarah Palfrey. Date: 1934 Members of the American Wightman Cup Team, from left to right: Josephine Cruickshank, Carolin Babcock, Helen Jacobs, Alice Marble and Sarah Palfrey.
Why did Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman donate the Wightman Cup?
U.S. player Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman wanted to generate international interest in women’s tennis the way Davis Cup did for men’s. In 1920, she donated a sterling silver vase to the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) as a prize for an international team competition.
Who was the winner of the Wightman Cup in 1932?
The winning doubles partners were presented the trophy by Princess Victoria. America retained Wightman Cup in 1932 by beating the British team by a score of 4 matches to 3. The tennis was played on the courts at Wimbledon, England. (CSU_2015_11_1580) Helen Wills Moody (left) and Sarah Palfrey, with the Wightman Cup. June 20, 1932.
When did the Wightman Cup move to the Albert Hall?
In 1978, the competition moved indoors to the Royal Albert Hall, was sponsored for the first time, and was called the Carnation Wightman Cup. The BBC provided broadcast coverage of the competition from 1936 until 1987, although the final broadcast was limited to BBC Radio.
Why was the Wightman Cup played on grass?
The competition was a two-day event until 1967 when the U.S. event was held over three days in order to generate more revenue. A record 16,000 spectators attended that year. Until 1960 all editions of the Wightman Cup were played on grass courts, in later years also clay courts, cement and synthetic carpet were used.