Legendary Wimbledon champion Angela Mortimer Barrett passes away aged 93

Former world number one Angela Mortimer-Barrett passed away at the age of 93. The Plymouth-born had a fabulous career at the highest level, where she won multiple Grand Slams. The highlight of her career was winning the Wimbledon title in 1961, where she defeated her fellow countrywoman Christine Truman in the final with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

That was not the only Grand Slam Barrett won in her career. Her first major title was the French Open in 1955, where she defeated America’s Dorothy Knode in the final with a score of 2-6, 7-5, 10-8. Three years later, Barrett lifted the Australian Open after beating Lorraine Coghlan in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

The US Open was the only Grand Slam where Barrett failed to lift the title. Her best performance came in the 1961 edition, where she was knocked out after losing in the semifinal to Ann Haydon in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Other than that, Barrett also lifted the Wimbledon doubles title in 1955, where she and her partner Anne Shilcock defeated the pair of Shirley Bloomer and Pat Ward in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-1.

The 1958 Australian Open can be classified as Barrett’s best competition, where she featured in three different categories and played in the final of all of them. In the singles category, she lifted the title, but in the other two finals, she came second-best. In the doubles final, Barrett and Lorraine Coghlan lost to the pair of Mary Bevis Hawton and Thelma Coyne Long with a score of 7-5, 6-8, 6-2. In the mixed doubles category, Barrett and Peter Newman lost to the pair of Mary Bevis Hawton and Bob Howe with a score of 9-11, 6-1, 6-2.

Barrett managed to overcome hearing illness early in her career. She accepted that in an interview later, where she revealed that she could not hear the voice of anything but the crowd. “I could hear the applause of the crowd, but not much else. I think it helped me concentrate, shutting out distractions. When I hear players say they need to hear the ball, I smile. I couldn’t,” Barrett said later.

She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993. Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, issued a statement on the demise of Barrett. The 65-year-old not only offered condolences but also praised Barrett for her services towards the game.

"An honorary member since her triumph in 1961, Angela has been a familiar face and valued member for more than six decades. Her passing leaves a hole in the fabric of the club, and she will be greatly missed," said Jevans. "On behalf of everyone at the All England Club, I offer my sincere condolences to Angela's husband, John; their children, Michael and Sarah Jane; grandchildren, family and friends."