 |
| King serving at the start of her losing Wimbledon semifinal match against Maria Bueno. |
Late in 1964, Billie Jean Moffitt (later King) decided to make a full-time commitment to tennis. She said:
I was in my third year as a history major at Los Angeles State College.... I still had my dream of being Number 1 in tennis, but I had yet to win a major singles title. I finally realized that I would never know whether I could make it unless I made a commitment to play full-time. I was able to make that commitment when Robert Mitchell, the same businessman who had helped Margaret Smith [Court], offered to pay my way to Australia so that I could train under the great Australian coach Mervyn Rose. I told my friends I was going to Australia to become the best player in the world. It was a frightening admission, but it helped to drive me. Merv Rose was exactly what I needed. He made radical alterations in my game, changing my swooping, wristy forehand and backhand into the crisp efficient strokes of a champion.
King spent 3 months in Australia, from November 2, 1964, until early February 1965. While there, she played the Australian National Championships, 5 other tournaments, and the Federation Cup.
At the end of 1965, columnist Lance Tingay at the London Daily Telegraph newspaper ranked King fourth in the world. The top 10 plus King's singles record against each were as follows:
#01 0-4 Margaret Smith Court
#02 1-2 Maria Bueno
#03 3-1 Lesley Turner Bowrey
#04 0-0 Billie Jean King
#05 2-1 Ann Haydon Jones
#06 0-0 Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy
#07 0-0 Christine Truman Janes
#08 0-0 Nancy Richey
#09 1-0 Carole Caldwell Graebner
#10 0-0 Francoise Durr
7-8 46.7% Total
Bueno played only 11 tournaments all year, winning the Italian Championships and 2 others. Turner Bowrey won in Paris, but King defeated her at Wimbledon, which was their only Grand Slam singles match of the year.
King was the singles runner-up at the U. S. National Championships (to Smith Court) and a losing semifinalist at both the Australian National Championships (to Smith Court) and Wimbledon (to Bueno). She did not play in Paris. Overall, King won 7 singles titles, 4 of which were at relatively minor hard court tournaments in California. Her other 3 titles were at the traditional summer grass court tournaments in the eastern U. S.
In Grand Slam mixed doubles tournaments, King was a quarterfinalist in Melbourne but did not play elsewhere.
King won 8 women's doubles titles, including her third Wimbledon title. All but one of those titles were on grass. She won the Kent Championships just before Wimbledon plus two titles during the U. S. summer months. Three of her titles were at the New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia state championships down under. She also won a hard court tournament in Ojai, California.
SINGLES HEAD-TO-HEAD (62-13) (career numbers are through 1965)
5-0 Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin (career 6-0)
3-1 Lesley Turner Bowrey (career 5-2)
3-1 Madonna Schacht (career 3-1)
2-0 Carole Ann Loop Herrick (career 7-1)
2-0 Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff (career 2-1)
2-0 Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie (career 4-0)
2-0 Virginia Wade (career 3-0)
2-1 Ann Haydon Jones (career 9-4)
1-0 Alice Hartman
1-0 Allison Martin
1-0 Angela Morris
1-0 Barbara Strong
1-0 Billie Domingue
1-0 Carole Caldwell Graebner (career 10-3)
1-0 Carol Hanks Aucamp (career 4-0)
1-0 Carol Sherriff Zeeman (career 1-0)
1-0 Cecilia Martinez (career 1-0)
1-0 Connie Cristler
1-0 Dorothy Born
1-0 Elizabeth Fenton Craig
1-0 Elsie Spruyt
1-0 Florence Powers (career 2-0)
1-0 Helen Gourlay Cawley (career 1-0)
1-0 Jane Albert Freedman (career 3-0)
1-0 Jill Blackman Emmerson
1-0 Julie Anthony Butera
1-0 Julie Heldman (career 5-0)
1-0 Julie James
1-0 Karen Krantzcke (career 1-0)
1-0 Karyl Treasure
1-0 Kathy Blake Bryan (career 1-0)
1-0 Kerry Melville Reid (career 1-0)
1-0 Lea Pericoli Fontana (career 2-0)
1-0 Lynne Abbes
1-0 Margaret Kynaston
1-0 Maylis Burel
1-0 Mimi Arnold Wheeler (career 4-0)
1-0 Mimi Henreid (career _______)
1-0 Norma Eastburn
1-0 Patricia Parks
1-0 Patsy Rippy Bond (career 1-0)
1-0 Pauline Roberts
1-0 Robin Lesh
1-0 Robyn Berrey
1-0 Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi (career 1-1)
1-0 Rosemary Casals (career 1-0)
1-0 Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan (career 1-0)
1-0 Susan Rich
1-1 Karen Hantze Susman (career 3-6)
0-0 Christine Truman Janes (career 2-2)
0-0 Darlene Hard (career 1-4)
0-0 Dorothy Bundy Cheney (career 0-4)
0-0 Nancy Richey (career 1-4)
0-0 Victoria Palmer Heinecke (career 1-2)
0-0 Christine Truman Janes (career 2-2)
0-0 Darlene Hard (career 1-4)
0-0 Dorothy Bundy Cheney (career 0-4)
0-0 Nancy Richey (career 1-4)
0-0 Victoria Palmer Heinecke (career 1-2)
1-2 Maria Bueno (career 3-4)
0-1 Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti (career 0-1)
0-1 Jan Longson
0-1 Rita Bentley (career 0-2)
0-1 Jan Longson
0-1 Rita Bentley (career 0-2)
0-4 Margaret Smith Court (career 1-9)
FIRST CAREER SINGLES MATCHES
In the 1965 ranking year, King played a singles match in an adult tournament or event with the following women for the first time ever:
Helen Gourlay Cawley:
- New South Wales Championships, second round, Sydney, Australia, week of November 23, 1964
Karen Krantzcke::
- Victoria Championships, second round, Melbourne, Australia, week of December 7, 1964
Kerry Melville Reid:
Kathy Blake Bryan:- Australian National Championships, third round, Melbourne, week of January 18, 1965
- Ojai Valley Tournament, semifinal, Ojai, California, week of April 19, 1965
- California State Championships, final, Portola Valley, California, week of May 17, 1965
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS
Most games played in a singles match, 1965: 38
Ojai Valley Tournament (SF):
(1) King d. Kathy Blake Bryan 7-9, 7-5, 6-4
California State Championships (QF):
(1) King d. Cecilia Martinez 16-14, 6-2
U. S. National Championships (QF):
(1) King d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones 16-14, 6-2
Most games played in a singles match, career (1963 through 1965): 46
Wightman Cup, Cleveland (1963):
King d. Christine Truman Janes 6-4, 19-17
Most games played in a women's doubles match,
1965: 44
Kent Championships (FN):
King / Maria Bueno d. Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 7-9, 7-5, 9-7
Most games played in a women's doubles match, career (1963 through 1965): 44
Kent Championships (1965 FN):
King / Maria Bueno d. Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 7-9, 7-5, 9-7
Most games played in a mixed doubles match,
1965: 47
New South Wales Championships (SF):
King / Warren Jacques lost to Owen Davidson / Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi 9-11, 6-3, 10-8
Most games played in a mixed doubles match, career (1963 through 1965): 47
New South Wales Championships (1965 SF):
King / Warren Jacques lost to Owen Davidson / Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi 9-11, 6-3, 10-8
Most games played in a set of a singles match,
1965: 30
California State Championships (QF):
King d. Cecilia Martinez 16-14, 6-2
U. S. National Championships (QF):
King d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones 16-14, 6-2
Most games played in a set of a singles match, career (1963 through 1965): 36
Wightman Cup, Cleveland (1963):
King d. Christine Truman Janes 6-4, 19-17
Most games played in a set of a women's doubles match, 1965: 181965: 30
California State Championships (QF):
King d. Cecilia Martinez 16-14, 6-2
U. S. National Championships (QF):
King d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones 16-14, 6-2
Most games played in a set of a singles match, career (1963 through 1965): 36
Wightman Cup, Cleveland (1963):
King d. Christine Truman Janes 6-4, 19-17
Surrey Grass Court Championships (FN):
King / Christine Truman Janes lost to Judy Tegart Dalton / Rita Bentley 6-4, 10-8
London Grass Court Championships (FN):
King / Maria Bueno lost to Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 10-8, 6-2
Most games played in a set of a women's doubles match, career (1963 through 1965):
Most games played in a set of a mixed doubles match, 1965: 20
New South Wales Championships (SF):
King / Warren Jacques lost to Owen Davidson / Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi 9-11, 6-3, 10-8
Australian National Championships (QF):
King / Warren Jacques lost to [1] Fred Stolle / Lesley Turner Bowrey 11-9, 7-5
Most games played in a set of a mixed doubles match, career (1963 through 1965):
Fewest games won by King in a singles match,
1965: 2
Kent Championships (SF):
King lost to Maria Bueno 6-2, 6-0
Fewest games won by King in a singles match, career (1963 through 1965):
Fewest games won by opponent in a singles match,
1965: 1
Victoria Championships (1R):
King d. Karyl Treasure 6-0, 6-1
South Australia Championships (QF):
King d. Carol Sherriff Zeeman 6-0, 6-1
Pennsylvania Lawn Tennis Championships (3R):
King d. Patsy Rippy Bond 6-0, 6-1
Fewest games won by opponent in a singles match, career (1963 through 1965):
Total number of 6-0 sets won-lost by King in singles matches, 1965: 13-1
Total number of 6-0 sets won-lost by King in singles matches, career (1963 through 1965):
Total number of deuce sets (having at least 12 games) won-lost by King in singles matches, 1965: 11-11
Total number of deuce sets (having at least 12 games) won-lost by King in singles matches, career (1963 through 1965):
Total number of singles matches lost by King after winning the first set, 1965: 2
Total number of singles matches lost by King after winning the first set, career (1963 through 1965):
Total number of singles matches won by King after losing the first set, 1965: 3
Total number of singles matches won by King after losing the first set, career (1963 through 1965):
Longest winning streak in singles matches, wholly within 1965: 14
Longest winning streak in singles matches, begun in 1964 and ending in 1965: None
King lost the last singles match she played during 1964.
Longest winning streak in singles matches, career (1963 through 1965:
Won-lost record in singles finals, 1965: 7-3
Won-lost record in singles finals, career (1963 through 1965):
Won-lost record in singles semifinals, 1965: 10-4
Won-lost record in singles semifinals, career (1963 through 1965):
Won-lost record in women's doubles finals, 1965: 8-5
Won-lost record in women's doubles finals, career (1963 through 1965):
Won-lost record in women's doubles semifinals,
1965: 13-0
Won-lost record in women's doubles semifinals, career (1963 through 1965):
Week of October 12, 1964
National Invitational
The Racquet Club
Midland, Texas, U. S.
Indoor (wood)
King in singles:
1R/QF d. Billie Domingue 6-2, 6-2
SF lost to Karen Hantze Susman 6-3, 6-1
Women's doubles:
No results found.
Week of November 9, 1964
Queensland Grass Court Championships
Milton Courts
Brisbane, Australia
Grass
General Note:
King arrived in Sydney on Monday, November 2nd, but her 10 tennis racquets did not arrive with her. She explained that she lost them somewhere between Honolulu and Sydney. King also said that Margaret Smith Court was "easily" the outstanding woman player in the world, despite not winning Wimbledon in 1964. Source: "Billie Jean Starts Trip with a Tip," by Don Lawrence, The Age, Melbourne, Australia, November 3, 1964, page 18.
King in singles, [2] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Norma Eastburn 6-2, 6-2
QF d. Elizabeth Fenton Craig 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
SF lost to [3] Lesley Turner Bowrey 10-8, 6-4
In her semifinal match with Lesley Turner Bowery, King recovered from 1-5 down in the second set to 4-5. She saved two match points in the tenth game but could not save the third. King appeared fatigued from the hour-long first set and made too many errors. This was King's first loss to Turner Bowrey in three lifetime singles matches.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi:
SF d. Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti / Joan Gibson 6-2, 6-2
FN lost to Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
Mixed doubles:
This event was not held, which prompted Margaret Smith Court to complain about not getting enough matches in Brisbane.
Week of November 23, 1964
New South Wales Championships
White City Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Grass
General Notes:
(1) Some matches, including King's first round mixed doubles match, were played on Saturday, November 21st.
(2) No mixed doubles teams were seeded.
King in singles, [3] seed:
1R d. Allison Martin 6-0, 6-2
2R d. Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-2, 6-2
QF d. [6] Madonna Schacht 6-4, 6-2
SF d. [2] Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-4, 6-3
FN lost to [1] Margaret Smith Court 6-4, 6-3
King needed only an hour to win what had been expected to be a close semifinal match with Lesley Turner Bowrey.
Helen Gourlay Cawley was 17 years old.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi, [2] seed:
QF d. L____ Plummer / C____ Easy 6-1, 6-2
SF d. [3] Judy Tegart Dalton / Jill Blackman Emmerson 6-1, 6-2
FN d. [1] Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques:
1R d. Madonna Schacht / Colin Zeeman 6-1, 6-4
?R Advanced by walkover. Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti / Tom Okker defaulted.
SF lost to Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi / Owen Davidson 9-11, 6-3, 10-8 (47 games)
King and Warren Jacques had a match point at 5-2 (40-30) in the third set of their semifinal match, but King missed an easy overhead smash.
Tom Okker defaulted because he was sick with German measles.
Week of December 7, 1964
Victoria Championships
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [3] seed:
1R d. Karyl Treasure 6-0, 6-1
2R d. Karen Krantzcke 9-7, 6-4
QF lost to Madonna Schacht 6-3, 8-6
In the second round, King and 18 year old Karen Krantzcke played each other for the first time.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi:
1R d. Fay Marriott / Sue Crapper 7-5, 6-3
3R d. Pam Wearne / Beverly Rae 6-0, 6-0
SF d. Jill Blackman Emmerson / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti 6-4, 6-2
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Judy Tegart Dalton 9-7, 1-6, 6-4
"Miss Moffitt, who had been below form in this tournament, was easily the best player on the court [during the women's doubles final]. She was deadly at the net, rarely wasting a shot, and although all four players dropped services in the high wind, Miss Moffitt had much more penetration than the others and was much more reliable."
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques:
2R d. Charleen Hillebrand / John Hillebrand 6-3, 6-4
QF lost to Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi / Owen Davidson 6-4, 6-2
King and Warren Jacques had a match point at 5-2 (40-30) in the third set of their semifinal match, but King missed an easy overhead smash.
Tom Okker defaulted because he was sick with German measles.
Week of December 7, 1964
Victoria Championships
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [3] seed:
1R d. Karyl Treasure 6-0, 6-1
2R d. Karen Krantzcke 9-7, 6-4
QF lost to Madonna Schacht 6-3, 8-6
In the second round, King and 18 year old Karen Krantzcke played each other for the first time.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi:
1R d. Fay Marriott / Sue Crapper 7-5, 6-3
3R d. Pam Wearne / Beverly Rae 6-0, 6-0
SF d. Jill Blackman Emmerson / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti 6-4, 6-2
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Judy Tegart Dalton 9-7, 1-6, 6-4
"Miss Moffitt, who had been below form in this tournament, was easily the best player on the court [during the women's doubles final]. She was deadly at the net, rarely wasting a shot, and although all four players dropped services in the high wind, Miss Moffitt had much more penetration than the others and was much more reliable."
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques:
2R d. Charleen Hillebrand / John Hillebrand 6-3, 6-4
QF lost to Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi / Owen Davidson 6-4, 6-2
King and Warren Jacques also lost to this team two weeks earlier in Sydney. That match was much more competitive than this one.
Week of December 28, 1964
South Australia Championships
Memorial Drive Park
Adelaide, Australia
Grass
General Notes:
(1) King had originally planned to play in the Manley Seaside Championships instead of the South Australia Championships. On December 28, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that King had been coerced to play in Adelaide. The newspaper said that on December 26, King phoned in her entry to the Manly tournament. The Lawn Tennis Association of Australia (LTAA) immediately intervened. The LTAA told King that unless she played in Adelaide, they "would have her Australian tournament expenses investigated." On December 27, King consulted with Bob Mitchell, her Australian sponsor, about these issues and then announced her change in plans. A dispute about expense money between Adelaide tournament organizers and top Australian players was the real reason that almost all of them skipped Adelaide. King apparently was the only star player who was threatened with revocation of her amateur status unless she played there. Source: "Moffitt to Play in Adelaide," Sydney Morning Herald, December 28, 1964, page 23.
(2) Neither Margaret Smith Court nor Lesley Turner Bowrey entered.
(3) King was the top seed in singles. The three players seeded [2] through [4] are known, but their exact seeds are not known. They were Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti, Madonna Schacht (definitely not seeded second), and Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Dorothy Born 6-3, 6-0
QF d. Carol Sherriff Zeeman 6-0, 6-1
SF d. [3 or 4] Madonna Schacht 6-4, 6-4
FN lost to [2, 3, or 4] Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
In the final, there were no breaks of serve through the first 9 games of the second set. At 4-5, King inexplicably served 3 consecutive double faults, the last of which was at set point. The 19 year old Australian made far fewer errors off her powerful forehand in the second set, which kept her in the match long enough for King's serve to betray her. In the final set, King quickly lost the first 5 games. Left unanswered was whether King stopped competing in the middle of this match because of lingering disgust with being forced to play in Adelaide.
King's second round opponent, Dorothy Born, was from South Africa.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi:
SF d. Jill Starr / Gwen Thiele 6-2, 6-0
FN d. Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti / Carol Sherriff Zeeman 6-2, 6-1
This final was finished in a swift 35 minutes. Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera Benedetti played far worse than the day before when she won the singles final.
King in mixed doubles with John Newcombe:
SF d. Rosa Maria Reyes Darmon / Pierre Darmon 6-2, 7-5
FN lost to Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi / Owen Davidson 9-7, 6-4
Week of January 4, 1965
Western Australia Championships
Royal King's Park
Perth, Australia
Grass
King in singles:
1R lost to Jan Longson 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
The architect of this "stunning upset" was Jan Longson, a 17 year old from the state of Western Australia. This match was played in high winds.
King in women's doubles with Gwenda Don:
SF lost to Robyn Ebbern / Dorothy Whitely 7-5, 6-4
Mixed doubles: The event was held, but no results were found for King.
Week of January 11, 1965
Federation Cup
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
General Notes:
(1) King was the captain of the United States team.
(2) Upon her arrival in Sydney in November 1964, King said that she was still negotiating with Karen Hantze Susman about being on the U. S. team. Those negotiations were not successful.
(3) The semifinal against the United Kingdom was played in 104° F (40° C) heat.
U. S. team results:
1R bye
QF United States d. Italy, 3-0
SF United States d. United Kingdom, 3-0
FN Australia d. United States, 2-1
King in singles:
QF d. Lea Pericoli Fontana 6-3, 6-1
SF d. Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 6-4
FN lost to Margaret Smith Court 6-4, 8-6
In the final, Margaret Smith Court defeated King and clinched the Federation Cup for Australia. Smith Court did not play her best. But she did not need her best stuff to win. King gave her too many chances to win by constantly dropping her serve in the second set.
Finals day began with Carole Caldwell Graebner losing a high quality, intensely played, and widely praised match to Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The American played her best tennis and without fear. Neither player deserved to lose. Turner Bowrey won the match by the slimmest of margins.
King's match then became a pressure-filled, win-or-go-home struggle against her greatest rival. King had not defeated Margaret Smith Court since the second round of Wimbledon in 1962. Since then, Smith Court had dominated women's tennis and had become almost unbeatable when playing confidently and fearlessly. On paper, King's chances were slim, especially because the match was being played on the historic centre court of the Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne before a partisan, sold-out crowd of 10,000. King's form also was questionable because she had a 2-match losing streak coming into this event. Both of those losses were shocking. But if Smith Court played nervously, as she did at Wimbledon in 1964, King might win.
The Australian broke King's serve in the opening game of the match. Smith Court then became the front runner for the rest of the set. She maintained her one break advantage until the eighth game. At 4-3, she made 2 double faults that enabled King to break serve and level the set at 4-4. But Smith Court did not wilt. In the next game, King made one double fault and Smith Court hit two winning volleys to regain her one break lead. She then confidently held serve at love to win the set.
As in the first set, King dropped her serve in the first game of the second set. This set the tone for the remainder of the match. King had to fight hard just to stay alive. She never was up a break in the second set. She would be down a break and then break serve to pull even. Smith Court would then break King to retake the lead. Ultimately, King was unable to break serve in the 14th game when she absolutely had to break. She put herself in this predicament by dropping serve in the 13th game.
Half of the 14 games in the second set were service breaks, The set went like this:
Game 1: King loses serve. Smith Court leads 1-0.
Game 2: Smith Court loses serve. Tied 1-1.
Game 3: King loses serve. Smith Court leads 2-1.
Game 4: Smith Court holds serve and leads 3-1.
Game 5: King holds serve. Smith Court leads 3-2.
Game 6: Smith Court loses serve. Tied 3-3.
Game 7: King holds serve and leads 4-3.
Game 8: Smith Court holds serve. Tied 4-4.
Game 9: King loses serve. Smith Court leads 5-4.
Game 10: Smith Court loses serve while trying to close out the match. Tied at 5-5.
Game 11: King holds serve and leads 6-5.
Game 12: Smith Court holds serve to stay alive. Tied at 6-6.
Game 13: King loses serve. Smith Court leads 7-6.
Game 14: Smith Court holds serve to win the match.
Smith Court had a good chance to win the match while serving at 5-4. But King hit an incredible backhand passing shot and the Australian nervously flubbed an easy smash to allow King to break serve and stay alive.
The bottom line is that King lost a winnable match because she was unable to do what she must to defeat the world's best players: hold serve. She got broken 4 times out of her 7 service games in the second set. These breaks forced her to play catch-up against the game's most formidable front runner. King would have to wait almost 15 more months before finally defeating Smith Court in singles and breaking her 9-match losing streak.
The pace of this match was brisk as only 1 hour, 6 minutes were needed to complete 24 games.
King in women's doubles with Carole Caldwell Graebner:
QF d. Lea Pericoli Fontana / Francesca Gordigiani 6-0, 6-2 (dead rubber)
SF d. Ann Haydon Jones / Christine Truman Janes 4-6, 8-6, 6-4 (dead rubber)
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Judy Tegart Dalton 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 (dead rubber)
In the final against Australia, the doubles match was a dead rubber. Reserve player Judy Tegart Dalton played instead of Lesley Turner Bowrey.
Week of January 18, 1965
Australian National Championships
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
General Note:
Tournament organizers "assigned" Maria Bueno and Carole Caldwell Graebner to play with each other in women's doubles. They did this even though Bueno had already sent word that she would decide on a doubles partner after arriving in Australia. The assignment did not stick. Bueno teamed with Norma Baylon Puiggros, and Caldwell Graebner teamed with Rosa Maria Reyes Darmon. Both teams made it all the way to the semifinals.
King in singles, [2F] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Margaret Kynaston 6-2, 6-3
3R d. [NS] Kerry Melville Reid 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
QF d. [4] Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi 6-1, 6-2
SF lost to [1] Margaret Smith Court 6-1, 8-6
In the third round, King and 17 year old Kerry Melville Reid played each other for the first time.
King in women's doubles with Robyn Ebbern Vincenzi, [3] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Kaye Dening Bradshaw / Bernice Carr Vukovich 6-3, 6-3
QF d. [8] Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Madonna Schacht 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
SF d. [2] Maria Bueno / Norma Baylon Puiggros 6-2, 7-5
FN lost to [1] Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques, [8] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Nora de Somoza / Eugene Russo 6-2, 6-2
3R d. [NS] Heidi Schildknecht Orth / Geoff Pollard 6-2, 6-1
QF lost to [1] Lesley Turner Bowrey / Fred Stolle 11-9, 7-5
Week of April 12, 1965
Pasadena Metropolitan Tournament
Altadena Town and Country Club
Pasadena, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles:
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-2, 6-2
King won this tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin was 18 years old.
Women's doubles: The event was held, but no results for King were found.
Mixed doubles: The event was held, but no results for King were found.
Week of April 19, 1965
Ojai Valley Invitational
Ojai Valley Tennis Club
Ojai, California, U. S
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R d. Robyn Berry 6-2, 6-1
2R/QF d. Carole Ann Loop Herrick 10-8, 6-0
SF d. Kathy Blake Bryan 7-9, 7-5, 6-4 (38 games)
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-4, 6-2
In the semifinals, King and 18 year old Kathy Blake Bryan played each other in singles for the first time. King trailed 7-9, 2-5 before rallying to win the match.
King in women's doubles with Tory Fretz:
QF Walkover: _____ John and Patricia Yeomans defaulted
SF d. Dorothy Bundy Cheney / Paulette Verzin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Kathy Blake Bryan 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Week of May 3, 1965
Southern California Sectional Championships
Los Angeles Tennis Club
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Florence Powers 6-2, 6-0
3R d. Barbara Strong 6-0, 6-2
QF d. Mimi Henreid 7-5, 6-4
SF d. [NS] Carole Ann Loop Herrick 6-1, 6-1
FN d. [2] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-3, 6-1
Women's doubles: King did not enter.
Mixed doubles: King did not enter.
Week of May 17, 1965
California State Championships
Alpine Tennis Club
Portola Valley, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Julie James 6-1, 6-1
QF d. Cecilia Martinez 16-14, 6-2 (38 games)
SF d. Lynne Abbes 6-3, 6-3
FN d. [4] Rosemary Casals 6-2, 8-6
In the final, King and 16 year old Rosemary Casals played each other for the first time. King had a huge 6-2, 5-1 lead when "things went wrong." King suddenly started making errors from the backcourt and the net. Casals won 5 consecutive games to take a 6-5 lead. But King got a second wind and swept the last 3 games of the match. King said, "She started to get better and I seemed to get tired all of a sudden. I couldn't get up to the net like I was. It was almost like I was in another world."
In the quarterfinals, King and 17 year old Cecilia Martinez played each other for the first time. After the match, King said that she was lucky to win the first set.
King in women's doubles with Farel Footman, [1] seed:
QF lost to [NS] Ann Heck / Lynne Egbert 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
This rather major upset of the top seeded team probably happened because Farel Footman was injured. The day before this match, Footman defaulted her first round singles match (before the match began).
Week of May 24, 1965
Surrey Grass Court Championships
Berrylands Lawn Tennis Club
Surbiton, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
King left Los Angeles for London on May 24th.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Angela Morris 6-1, 6-1
3R d. Susan Rich 6-1, 6-1
QF lost to [8] Rita Bentley 6-2, 6-3
In cold, windy, and damp conditions with very poor light, King played a sloppy, error-filled quarterfinal against the eighth-seeded British player Rita Bentley. King squandered 3 break points against Bentley's serve at 3-2 (0-40) in the second set. King saved 2 match points when Bentley served at 5-2. King saved another match point while serving at 3-5. But she was unable to save the fourth.
When her #8 seeding was announced, Bentley was very unhappy and told the tournament referee that she deserved a higher seed. No change was made.
King in women's doubles with Christine Truman Janes:
FN lost to Judy Tegart Dalton / Rita Bentley 6-4, 10-8
King in mixed doubles with Robert Maud:
FN d. Terry Ryan / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-2, 6-8, 10-8 (40 games)
Week of May 31, 1965
Northern Grass Court Championships
Northern Tennis Club
Manchester, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
King injured her shoulder during the mixed doubles final at the Surrey Grass Court Championships. After an x-ray, a doctor recommended that she not play for a week. She then withdrew from this tournament before her first match but after the draw was made. King was the #3 seed in singles and was in tbe same half of the draw as Margaret Smith Court, the top seed. She defeated Maria Bueno in the final.
Week of June 7, 1965
Kent Championships
Beckenham Cricket Club
Beckenham, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
King wore contact lenses during this tournament and claimed to be seeing the ball better than ever.
King in singles:
1R d. Pauline Roberts 6-4, 6-3
2R d. Virginia Wade 6-4, 6-2
3R d. Madonna Schacht 6-4, 6-2
QF d. Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-2, 6-1
SF lost to Maria Bueno 6-2, 6-0
Maria Bueno was at her "regal best" when she "demolished" King in a Friday afternoon semifinal. King broke Bueno for a 2-1 lead in the first set, but she lost all 11 games thereafter. According to The Guardian newspaper in London, "The tone of Miss Bueno's win was one of razor sharp hitting and controlled accuracy against which Miss Moffitt capitulated." This was King's fourth singles match in 2 days.
In her Friday morning quarterfinal match, King easily defeated Lesley Turner Bowrey. From 2-2 in the first set, King won 4 consecutive games to win the set. From 1-1 in the second set, King won 5 consecutive games to win the match. Turner Bowrey played this match with a toothache.
King defeated Virginia Wade, 19 years old, in a second round Thursday morning match. That afternoon, King defeated Madonna Schacht in the third round.
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno:
SF d. Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Madonna Schacht 6-2, 6-0
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 7-9, 7-5, 9-7 (44 games)
To date, this was King's third victory in four women's doubles matches with Margaret Smith Court during the 1965 ranking year.
Week of June 14, 1965
London Grass Court Championships
Queen's Club
London, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
The women's doubles competition began on Thursday, June 17, which was 3 days later than planned because of constant rain. The final was held on Saturday
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno:
SF d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Anna Dmitrieva 6-2, 6-2
FN lost to Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 10-8, 6-2
In the final, Maria Bueno held serve only once out of 6 or 7 attempts, as "she served consistently to the stronger wings of both Miss Smith and Miss Turner...." And she wasted some important points "by attempting spectacular smashes which were over-ambitious even for her."
General Notes:
(1) In the third round of women's doubles, Francoise Durr and Janine Lieffrig upset Margaret Smith Court and Lesley Turner Bowrey, the top seeds and defending champions, 6-4, 6-4. Just two weeks earlier, the Australians had defeated Durr and Lieffrig in the final of the French International Championships.
(2) The second set of the singles quarterfinal match between Smith Court and Justina Bricka Horwitz lasted a mere 9 minutes, with the Australian winning 24 of its 26 points. The Guardian newspaper in London said, "That must be a record for a quarterfinal at Wimbledon."
(3) Nancy Richey, the highest seeded American at #4, lost her quarterfinal match on Centre Court to the very popular Christine Truman Janes 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. Richey won the first three games of the match because Truman Janes tried to out-hit the American from the baseline, a tactic doomed to failure. Just in time to save the set, the Brit began varying the speed and length of her drives, mixing in effective drop shots, and hitting winners off her reliable backhand volley. Truman Janes won 6 of the set's next 7 games, and did not yield a point in its last 2 games. The Brit won the first game of the second set before losing its last 6 games. She recovered immediately in the third set to lead 3-0 (40-15), 4-1, and 4-2 (game point for 5-2). Richey did not give up. She held serve to cut the deficit to 5-4, forcing Truman Janes to try to win the match on her own service. Richey saved one match point before breaking her to level the set at 5-5. According to The Guardian , "After that, the British lived in purgatory again until, at last, Miss Richey was forced to yield." Truman Janes broke Richey to lead 6-5, and then served out the match at love.
King in singles, [5] seed:
1R Court 1: d. Elsie Spruyt (qualifier) 6-2, 6-3
2R Centre Court: d. Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff 6-3, 6-3
Ojai, California, U. S
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R d. Robyn Berry 6-2, 6-1
2R/QF d. Carole Ann Loop Herrick 10-8, 6-0
SF d. Kathy Blake Bryan 7-9, 7-5, 6-4 (38 games)
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-4, 6-2
In the semifinals, King and 18 year old Kathy Blake Bryan played each other in singles for the first time. King trailed 7-9, 2-5 before rallying to win the match.
King in women's doubles with Tory Fretz:
QF Walkover: _____ John and Patricia Yeomans defaulted
SF d. Dorothy Bundy Cheney / Paulette Verzin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Kathy Blake Bryan 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Week of May 3, 1965
Southern California Sectional Championships
Los Angeles Tennis Club
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Florence Powers 6-2, 6-0
3R d. Barbara Strong 6-0, 6-2
QF d. Mimi Henreid 7-5, 6-4
SF d. [NS] Carole Ann Loop Herrick 6-1, 6-1
FN d. [2] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-3, 6-1
Women's doubles: King did not enter.
Mixed doubles: King did not enter.
Week of May 17, 1965
California State Championships
Alpine Tennis Club
Portola Valley, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Julie James 6-1, 6-1
QF d. Cecilia Martinez 16-14, 6-2 (38 games)
SF d. Lynne Abbes 6-3, 6-3
FN d. [4] Rosemary Casals 6-2, 8-6
In the final, King and 16 year old Rosemary Casals played each other for the first time. King had a huge 6-2, 5-1 lead when "things went wrong." King suddenly started making errors from the backcourt and the net. Casals won 5 consecutive games to take a 6-5 lead. But King got a second wind and swept the last 3 games of the match. King said, "She started to get better and I seemed to get tired all of a sudden. I couldn't get up to the net like I was. It was almost like I was in another world."
In the quarterfinals, King and 17 year old Cecilia Martinez played each other for the first time. After the match, King said that she was lucky to win the first set.
King in women's doubles with Farel Footman, [1] seed:
QF lost to [NS] Ann Heck / Lynne Egbert 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
This rather major upset of the top seeded team probably happened because Farel Footman was injured. The day before this match, Footman defaulted her first round singles match (before the match began).
Week of May 24, 1965
Surrey Grass Court Championships
Berrylands Lawn Tennis Club
Surbiton, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
King left Los Angeles for London on May 24th.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Angela Morris 6-1, 6-1
3R d. Susan Rich 6-1, 6-1
QF lost to [8] Rita Bentley 6-2, 6-3
In cold, windy, and damp conditions with very poor light, King played a sloppy, error-filled quarterfinal against the eighth-seeded British player Rita Bentley. King squandered 3 break points against Bentley's serve at 3-2 (0-40) in the second set. King saved 2 match points when Bentley served at 5-2. King saved another match point while serving at 3-5. But she was unable to save the fourth.
When her #8 seeding was announced, Bentley was very unhappy and told the tournament referee that she deserved a higher seed. No change was made.
King in women's doubles with Christine Truman Janes:
QF d. Pat McClenaughan / Mimi Arnold 7-5, 6-3
SF d. Angela Mortimer Barrett / Vera Roberts 6-4, 6-2FN lost to Judy Tegart Dalton / Rita Bentley 6-4, 10-8
King in mixed doubles with Robert Maud:
FN d. Terry Ryan / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-2, 6-8, 10-8 (40 games)
Week of May 31, 1965
Northern Grass Court Championships
Northern Tennis Club
Manchester, United Kingdom
Grass
King injured her shoulder during the mixed doubles final at the Surrey Grass Court Championships. After an x-ray, a doctor recommended that she not play for a week. She then withdrew from this tournament before her first match but after the draw was made. King was the #3 seed in singles and was in tbe same half of the draw as Margaret Smith Court, the top seed. She defeated Maria Bueno in the final.
Week of June 7, 1965
Kent Championships
Beckenham Cricket Club
Beckenham, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
King wore contact lenses during this tournament and claimed to be seeing the ball better than ever.
King in singles:
1R d. Pauline Roberts 6-4, 6-3
2R d. Virginia Wade 6-4, 6-2
3R d. Madonna Schacht 6-4, 6-2
QF d. Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-2, 6-1
SF lost to Maria Bueno 6-2, 6-0
Maria Bueno was at her "regal best" when she "demolished" King in a Friday afternoon semifinal. King broke Bueno for a 2-1 lead in the first set, but she lost all 11 games thereafter. According to The Guardian newspaper in London, "The tone of Miss Bueno's win was one of razor sharp hitting and controlled accuracy against which Miss Moffitt capitulated." This was King's fourth singles match in 2 days.
In her Friday morning quarterfinal match, King easily defeated Lesley Turner Bowrey. From 2-2 in the first set, King won 4 consecutive games to win the set. From 1-1 in the second set, King won 5 consecutive games to win the match. Turner Bowrey played this match with a toothache.
King defeated Virginia Wade, 19 years old, in a second round Thursday morning match. That afternoon, King defeated Madonna Schacht in the third round.
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno:
SF d. Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Madonna Schacht 6-2, 6-0
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 7-9, 7-5, 9-7 (44 games)
To date, this was King's third victory in four women's doubles matches with Margaret Smith Court during the 1965 ranking year.
Week of June 14, 1965
London Grass Court Championships
Queen's Club
London, United Kingdom
Grass
General Note:
The women's doubles competition began on Thursday, June 17, which was 3 days later than planned because of constant rain. The final was held on Saturday
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno:
SF d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Anna Dmitrieva 6-2, 6-2
FN lost to Margaret Smith Court / Lesley Turner Bowrey 10-8, 6-2
In the final, Maria Bueno held serve only once out of 6 or 7 attempts, as "she served consistently to the stronger wings of both Miss Smith and Miss Turner...." And she wasted some important points "by attempting spectacular smashes which were over-ambitious even for her."
Week of June 21, 1965
Wimbledon
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
London, United Kingdom
Grass
General Notes:
(1) In the third round of women's doubles, Francoise Durr and Janine Lieffrig upset Margaret Smith Court and Lesley Turner Bowrey, the top seeds and defending champions, 6-4, 6-4. Just two weeks earlier, the Australians had defeated Durr and Lieffrig in the final of the French International Championships.
(2) The second set of the singles quarterfinal match between Smith Court and Justina Bricka Horwitz lasted a mere 9 minutes, with the Australian winning 24 of its 26 points. The Guardian newspaper in London said, "That must be a record for a quarterfinal at Wimbledon."
(3) Nancy Richey, the highest seeded American at #4, lost her quarterfinal match on Centre Court to the very popular Christine Truman Janes 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. Richey won the first three games of the match because Truman Janes tried to out-hit the American from the baseline, a tactic doomed to failure. Just in time to save the set, the Brit began varying the speed and length of her drives, mixing in effective drop shots, and hitting winners off her reliable backhand volley. Truman Janes won 6 of the set's next 7 games, and did not yield a point in its last 2 games. The Brit won the first game of the second set before losing its last 6 games. She recovered immediately in the third set to lead 3-0 (40-15), 4-1, and 4-2 (game point for 5-2). Richey did not give up. She held serve to cut the deficit to 5-4, forcing Truman Janes to try to win the match on her own service. Richey saved one match point before breaking her to level the set at 5-5. According to The Guardian , "After that, the British lived in purgatory again until, at last, Miss Richey was forced to yield." Truman Janes broke Richey to lead 6-5, and then served out the match at love.
King in singles, [5] seed:
1R Court 1: d. Elsie Spruyt (qualifier) 6-2, 6-3
2R Centre Court: d. Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff 6-3, 6-3
3R d. Jill Blackman Emmerson 7-5, 12-10
4R Court 1: d. Robin Lesh 6-2, 6-0
QF Court 1: d. [3] Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-2, 6-1
SF Centre Court: lost to [1] Maria Bueno 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
King in the first set of her semifinal match with Maria Bueno was "nervously erratic" and gave Bueno many easy points. But as she began to volley more often and become more confident in her forehand, King almost erased Bueno's 5-1, two-break lead by holding, breaking, and holding serve. But at 5-4, Bueno hit a cross-court bankhand winner to hold serve and win the set. In the third game of the second set, a line call badly upset Bueno. According to The Guardian, it took 3 games for her to recover and "during that unhappy time, she must have hit some of the worst smashes of her career." King broke Bueno's serve to win the set. In the third set, Bueno refound her confidence and touch. And King served too often to her backhand. Bueno won several important points by hitting "elegant, piercing" backhands down the line. After the match, King said, "[T]he reason I lost was my poor service. Look at that vital ninth game in the third set [when I trailed 3-5]. I'm down on my service. Then I save three match points. What do I do then? I double fault. It's like handing the match to your opponent on a silver platter."
In the quarterfinals, King "served, drove and volleyed sharply" and Lesley Turner Bowrey "made a great many mistakes." The Guardian newspaper said, "Those who possess the special gift needed to win the French championships do not often succeed at Wimbledon and so it proved with Miss Turner."
King's fourth round match against Australian Robin Lesh lasted a mere 37 minutes. This was the last Wimbledon singles match of Lesh's career. She had never before reached the fourth round.
In the second round on Centre Court, Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the first set. King, however, dominated the remainder of the match. She won the last 4 games of the first set and 10 of the match's last 13 games. The Guardian attributed the Brit's collapse to "serving badly and volleying dismally."
4R Court 1: d. Robin Lesh 6-2, 6-0
QF Court 1: d. [3] Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-2, 6-1
SF Centre Court: lost to [1] Maria Bueno 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
King in the first set of her semifinal match with Maria Bueno was "nervously erratic" and gave Bueno many easy points. But as she began to volley more often and become more confident in her forehand, King almost erased Bueno's 5-1, two-break lead by holding, breaking, and holding serve. But at 5-4, Bueno hit a cross-court bankhand winner to hold serve and win the set. In the third game of the second set, a line call badly upset Bueno. According to The Guardian, it took 3 games for her to recover and "during that unhappy time, she must have hit some of the worst smashes of her career." King broke Bueno's serve to win the set. In the third set, Bueno refound her confidence and touch. And King served too often to her backhand. Bueno won several important points by hitting "elegant, piercing" backhands down the line. After the match, King said, "[T]he reason I lost was my poor service. Look at that vital ninth game in the third set [when I trailed 3-5]. I'm down on my service. Then I save three match points. What do I do then? I double fault. It's like handing the match to your opponent on a silver platter."
In the quarterfinals, King "served, drove and volleyed sharply" and Lesley Turner Bowrey "made a great many mistakes." The Guardian newspaper said, "Those who possess the special gift needed to win the French championships do not often succeed at Wimbledon and so it proved with Miss Turner."
King's fourth round match against Australian Robin Lesh lasted a mere 37 minutes. This was the last Wimbledon singles match of Lesh's career. She had never before reached the fourth round.
In the second round on Centre Court, Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the first set. King, however, dominated the remainder of the match. She won the last 4 games of the first set and 10 of the match's last 13 games. The Guardian attributed the Brit's collapse to "serving badly and volleying dismally."
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno, [2] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Lucia Bassi / Maria Teresa Riedl 6-2, 6-0
3R d. Lorna Cawthorn / Robin Lloyd 6-3, 6-1
QF Court 1: d. Betty Stöve / Elly Krocke 6-1, 6-3
SF Centre Court: d. [3] Nancy Richey / Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-4, 6-2
FN Centre Court: d. [NS] Françoise Durr / Janine Lieffrig 6-2, 7-5
Mixed doubles:
Did not enter.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Julie Anthony Butera 6-3, 6-1
3R d. Patsy Rippy Bond 6-0, 6-1
QF d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-1, 6-2
SF d. [3] Karen Hantze Susman 6-1, 6-4
FN d. [2] Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-1, 6-2
Carole Caldwell Graebner was bothered in the final by a tendon injury in her right knee, which occurred during a doubles match in this tournament.
King overcame a 1-3 deficit in the second set of her semifinal match with Karen Hantze Susman.
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman:
QF d. Jane Albert Freedman / Stephanie DeFinaJ ohnson Hagan 6-2, 6-3
SF d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Justina BrickaH orwitz 7-5, 8-6
FN d. Margaret Osborne DuPont / Margaret Varner Bloss 6-4, 6-1
When the final was played, Margaret Osborne duPont was the U. S. Wightman Cup captain. She was 47 years old, Margaret Varner Bloss was 37, King was 21, and Karen Hantze Susman was 22.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Patricia Parks 6-0, 6-2
3R d. Connie Cristler 6-1, 6-0
QF d. [7] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 6-1
SF d. [4] Julie Heldman 6-3, 6-3
FN d. [3] Jane Albert Freedman 7-5, 6-3
King played the singles final with a badly stubbed toe.
Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie was 18 years old, and Julie Heldman was 19.
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman:
QF d. Kaye Dening Bradshaw / Mary Bevis Hawton 6-2, 6-2
SF King / Karen Hantze Susman defaulted. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Kathy Blake Bryan advanced by walkover.
United States 5, United Kingdom 2
Day 1 matches: 1-1
Day 2 matches: 2-0
Day 3 live rubbers: 1-0
Day 3 dead rubbers: 1-1
King in singles:
Mon (1st match of day): d. Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff 6-3, 6-2
King clinched the Wightman Cup with this win, putting the U. S. ahead 4-1 in the best-of-7 series.
Sat (1st match of tie): lost to Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 6-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-lOjHmKdCU
Lance Tingay wrote in the September 1, 1965, edition of "Lawn Tennis and Badminton": "[Ann Haydon] ... Jones opened ... [this Wightman Cup tie] by beating Billie Jean Moffit, 6-2, 6-4. There must have been a lot of British enthusiasts who thought, as I did, that Mrs. Jones would never be able to beat Miss Moffitt again. She had lost so often. But on a slow court and in a high wind, things could not have turned out better for Britain. Mrs. Jones used the difficult conditions with superb adroitness. Miss Moffitt never found her control at all. Her service power deserted her. Her normal high volleying skill pretty well disappeared entirely. On the one side it was all British strength. On the other it was all American frailty. In just one hour Mrs. Jones garnered one rubber for Britain." Haydon Jones consistently played from the baseline and waited for King to make mistakes. When King rushed the net, Haydon Jones hit numerous forehand passing shots. King also had difficulty with her service (9 double faults in 9 service games) and service returns.
1R bye
2R d. Lucia Bassi / Maria Teresa Riedl 6-2, 6-0
3R d. Lorna Cawthorn / Robin Lloyd 6-3, 6-1
QF Court 1: d. Betty Stöve / Elly Krocke 6-1, 6-3
SF Centre Court: d. [3] Nancy Richey / Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-4, 6-2
FN Centre Court: d. [NS] Françoise Durr / Janine Lieffrig 6-2, 7-5
Mixed doubles:
Did not enter.
Week of July 19, 1965
Pennsylvania Lawn Tennis Championships
Merion Cricket Club
Haverford, Pennsylvania, U. S.
Grass
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Julie Anthony Butera 6-3, 6-1
3R d. Patsy Rippy Bond 6-0, 6-1
QF d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-1, 6-2
SF d. [3] Karen Hantze Susman 6-1, 6-4
FN d. [2] Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-1, 6-2
Carole Caldwell Graebner was bothered in the final by a tendon injury in her right knee, which occurred during a doubles match in this tournament.
King overcame a 1-3 deficit in the second set of her semifinal match with Karen Hantze Susman.
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman:
QF d. Jane Albert Freedman / Stephanie DeFinaJ ohnson Hagan 6-2, 6-3
SF d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Justina BrickaH orwitz 7-5, 8-6
FN d. Margaret Osborne DuPont / Margaret Varner Bloss 6-4, 6-1
When the final was played, Margaret Osborne duPont was the U. S. Wightman Cup captain. She was 47 years old, Margaret Varner Bloss was 37, King was 21, and Karen Hantze Susman was 22.
Week of July 26, 1965
Eastern Grass Court Championships
Orange Lawn Tennis Club
South Orange, New Jersey, U. S.
Grass
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Patricia Parks 6-0, 6-2
3R d. Connie Cristler 6-1, 6-0
QF d. [7] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 6-1
SF d. [4] Julie Heldman 6-3, 6-3
FN d. [3] Jane Albert Freedman 7-5, 6-3
King played the singles final with a badly stubbed toe.
Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie was 18 years old, and Julie Heldman was 19.
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman:
QF d. Kaye Dening Bradshaw / Mary Bevis Hawton 6-2, 6-2
SF King / Karen Hantze Susman defaulted. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Kathy Blake Bryan advanced by walkover.
Week of August 2, 1965
(played August 7-9)
Wightman Cup
Harold T. Clark Stadium
Cleveland, Ohio, U. S.
Green clay ("Teniko-Royal")
General Note:
The 6,000 seat Harold T. Clark Stadium was purpose-built in 1964 to host the Challenge Round of the Davis Cup.
United States 5, United Kingdom 2
Day 1 matches: 1-1
Day 2 matches: 2-0
Day 3 live rubbers: 1-0
Day 3 dead rubbers: 1-1
King in singles:
Mon (1st match of day): d. Elizabeth Starkie Wagstaff 6-3, 6-2
King clinched the Wightman Cup with this win, putting the U. S. ahead 4-1 in the best-of-7 series.
Sat (1st match of tie): lost to Ann Haydon Jones 6-2, 6-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-lOjHmKdCU
Lance Tingay wrote in the September 1, 1965, edition of "Lawn Tennis and Badminton": "[Ann Haydon] ... Jones opened ... [this Wightman Cup tie] by beating Billie Jean Moffit, 6-2, 6-4. There must have been a lot of British enthusiasts who thought, as I did, that Mrs. Jones would never be able to beat Miss Moffitt again. She had lost so often. But on a slow court and in a high wind, things could not have turned out better for Britain. Mrs. Jones used the difficult conditions with superb adroitness. Miss Moffitt never found her control at all. Her service power deserted her. Her normal high volleying skill pretty well disappeared entirely. On the one side it was all British strength. On the other it was all American frailty. In just one hour Mrs. Jones garnered one rubber for Britain." Haydon Jones consistently played from the baseline and waited for King to make mistakes. When King rushed the net, Haydon Jones hit numerous forehand passing shots. King also had difficulty with her service (9 double faults in 9 service games) and service returns.
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman:Mon (dead rubber): d. Ann Haydon Jones / Virginia Wade 6-3, 8-6
Week of August 16, 1965
Essex County Club Invitational
Essex County Club
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, U. S.
Grass
King in singles, [1 domestic] seed:
1R d. Alice Christer Hartman 6-3, 6-1
2R d. Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
QF d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-4, 6-4
SF d. [2 foreign] Virginia Wade 6-4, 6-2
FN d. [2 domestic] Carol Hanks Aucamp 6-2, 10-8
King became the first American woman since Shirley Fry Irvin in 1955-56 to win this tournament two consecutive years. King needed only 18 minutes to win the first set as Carol Hanks Aucamp double faulted 5 times in her 4 service games. She improved her servister ce in the second set and battled King on near-even terms. That set lasted 47 minutes before there was a breakthrough.
During her semifinal match with Virginia Wade, King played much better than she had all week. Wade's errors led to 3 service breaks and her losing the match. Wade lost confidence during the second set. Four times, she failed to come to the net, leaving her court wide open for King's winning shots.
King "was way off form" during her quarterfinal match because of a painful stubbed toe.
In the second round, King and 19 year old Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan played each other for the first time. Stephanie held her serve for a 6-5 lead in the second set, recovering from (0-30) down. She then broke King to win the set. King played better in the final set.
King in women's doubles with Maria Bueno, [1] seed:
1R d. Lauria Callaway / Sue Schrader 6-1, 6-2
QF d. Nancy Reed / Carol Hanks Aucamp 6-4, 6-4
SF d. Tory Fretz / Julie Heldman 6-2, 6-2
FN d. [2] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Kathy Blake Bryan 6-4, 6-2
The doubles final was on serve in the first set when it was interrupted by rain. The match resumed Monday afternoon with Bueno serving at 3-4. The King-Bueno team won the first three games, and the first set, after the match resumed. They cruised through the second set to win the title.
Week of August 23, 1965
U. S. National Doubles Championships
Longwood Cricket Club
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, U. S.
Grass
King in women's doubles with Karen Hantze Susman, [1] seed:
1R d. Laurie Callaway / Sue Shrader 6-1, 7-5
2R d. Marjorie Gladman Van Ryn Buck / Katherine Winthrop McKean 6-2, 6-1
QF d. Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz / Patti Hogan Fordyce 6-2, 6-4
SF d. Virginia Wade / Nell Truman Robinson 6-4, 6-2
FN lost to [3] Nancy Richey / Carole Caldwell Graebner 6-4, 6-4
Week of August 30, 1965
U. S. National Championships
West Side Tennis Club
Forest Hills, Borough of Queens, New York City, U. S.
Grass
King in singles, [5] seed:
1R d. Maylis Burel 6-0, 6-2
2R d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-0, 6-2
3R d. Mimi Arnold Wheeler 6-4, 6-2
QF d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones 16-14, 6-2 (38 games)
SF Grandstand: d. [2] Maria Bueno 6-2, 6-3
FN lost to [1] Margaret Smith Court 8-6, 7-5
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=70482
In the final, King led 5–3 in both sets, was two points from winning the first set, and had two (perhaps three) set points in the second set before losing to Margaret Smith Court. King said that losing while being so close to winning was devastating, but the match proved that she was "good enough to be the best in the world. I'm going to win Wimbledon next year." She made good on her bold promise.
Maria Bueno played this tournament against medical advice. Because of a knee injury, her mobility in the semifinals against King was impaired. Her "eye was decidedly off," and, with her "highly emotional temperament," she was never in the match. Her mood was not helped when the match was moved from the main stadium to the much smaller grandstand court. Neither the press nor the public was informed of the move.
Mixed doubles:
Did not play.
After King got married on September 17, 1965, she did not play a tournament the remainder of the year. She may have gone back to college.
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