Florence Mortimer Barett

Florence Mortimer Barrett, known professionally as Angela Mortimer, was a British former World No. 1 tennis player. She won three major singles titles at the French Championships in 1955, the Australian Championships in 1958, and the Wimbledon Championships in 1961.

A two-time major doubles finalist, she also won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1955 and was the first British woman to win a major title since 1937.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Florence Angela Margaret Mortimer was born on April 21, 1932, in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom. She was a right-handed player who had a fluid, all-around game played primarily from the baseline. She was known for her exceptional determination, which she detailed in her autobiography, "My Waiting Game." A late bloomer, she started playing tennis at age 15.

A remarkable aspect of her career is that she was partially deaf and relied on her other senses to compensate for her inability to hear the ball. She was 29 years old and partially deaf when she won her Wimbledon title in 1961. After that victory, she underwent an operation to improve her hearing, but never again rose to her former glory.

Mortimer was known for playing in shorts and refusing to wear dresses on the court, even after designer Teddy Tinling offered to create them for her. She later joined his staff and became a part of his team. In 1967, she married fellow former tennis player and broadcaster John Barrett, with whom she had a son and a daughter.

Professional Career

Florence Mortimer Barrett was a dominant force in women's tennis during the 1950s and early 1960s. She was ranked in the world top 10 for nine years and reached a career high of World No. 1 in 1961. She won 108 career singles titles, a truly impressive record.

Her greatest triumphs were her three major singles titles. She won the French Championships in 1955, the Australian Championships in 1958, and the Wimbledon Championships in 1961. In 1955, she also won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon with her partner Anne Shilcock. She also reached two other major finals: the women's doubles final and the mixed doubles final at the Australian Championships in 1958.

Mortimer was a key member of the British team that won the Wightman Cup in 1960. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993, and her husband was also inducted in 2014.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 603-90 (87%)
• Career titles: 108
• Highest ranking: No. 1 (1961)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – W (1958)
• French Open – W (1955)
• Wimbledon – W (1961)
• US Open – SF (1961)

Doubles

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – F (1958)
• Wimbledon – W (1955)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – F (1958)

Team competitions

• Wightman Cup – W (1960)