Simonne Mathieu

Simonne Mathieu was a French tennis player from the 1930s, best remembered for her success on the clay courts of her home country. Her 13 major titles are second only to Suzanne Lenglen, among French women.

A winner of two major singles titles and 11 Grand Slam doubles championships, she is also recognized for her remarkable military service during World War II.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Simonne Mathieu was born on January 31, 1908, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She played right-handed with a one-handed backhand. After her playing career, she passed away on January 7, 1980, in Chatou, France, at the age of 71.

During World War II, Mathieu founded and led the Corps of French Volunteers in the Free French Forces, which was the first female unit in France's military history. For her dedicated service, she was named an Officer of the Legion of Honor. In recognition of her tennis career and her contributions to her country, the French Open's third show-court and the women's doubles trophy are named in her honor.

She was posthumously inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006.

Professional Career

Simonne Mathieu was a prominent figure in tennis throughout the 1930s. She is best remembered for her success at the French Championships (now known as the French Open), where she won two major singles titles in 1938 and 1939. She also reached the singles final of that tournament an additional six times.

Her dominance extended to doubles, where she won 11 major doubles championships. She secured six women's doubles titles at the French Championships and three at Wimbledon. She also won two mixed-doubles titles at the French Championships. A remarkable highlight of her career came in 1938 when she completed a rare triple at the French Championships, winning the singles, women's doubles, and mixed-doubles titles in the same year.

According to contemporary rankings, Mathieu was ranked in the world top 10 from 1929 through 1939, reaching a career high of World No. 3 in 1932. Her career record was 510 wins and 94 losses, and she amassed 147 singles titles.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 510–94 (84.4%)
• Career titles: 147
• Highest ranking: No. 3 (1932)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• French Open – W (1938, 1939)
• Wimbledon – SF (1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1937)
• US Open – QF (1938)

Doubles

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• French Open – W (1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939)
• Wimbledon – W (1933, 1934, 1937)
• US Open – F (1938)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• French Open – W (1937, 1938)
• Wimbledon – F (1937)