Charlotte Cooper Sterry

Charlotte Cooper Sterry was an English tennis player who competed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is celebrated for her five singles titles at the Wimbledon Championships.

In a landmark achievement for women's sports, she became the first female Olympic tennis champion and the first individual female Olympic champion in any sport at the 1900 Paris Games.

Player Profile

Charlotte Reinagle Cooper Sterry was born on September 22, 1870, in Ealing, England, and was also known by the nickname "Chattie." She played right-handed.

A remarkable aspect of her career is that she became completely deaf at the age of 26. Despite this, she went on to win four of her five Wimbledon singles titles, as well as her Olympic medals, an incredible feat in a sport where sound is a key component. She was known for her aggressive playing style, often attacking the net, and was one of the few female players of her time who used an overhead serve.

Sterry passed away on October 10, 1966, at the age of 96.

Professional Career

Sterry was a dominant figure in women's tennis during its early years. She won five singles titles at the Wimbledon Championships, with victories in 1895, 1896, 1898, 1901, and 1908. Her final singles title, won at age 37, made her the oldest female singles champion in the history of the tournament, a record that still stands today.

At the 1900 Paris Olympics, where women were first allowed to compete, Sterry made history by winning the women's singles title. In doing so, she became the first female Olympic tennis champion and the first individual female Olympic champion. She also won the mixed doubles gold medal at the same games with her partner Reginald Doherty.

Cooper Sterry’s legacy is immense, and she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013 in recognition of her pioneering contributions to the sport.

Career Record

Singles

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Wimbledon – W (1895, 1896, 1898, 1901, 1908)

Doubles

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Wimbledon – F (1913)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• Wimbledon – 3R (1914)

Olympic Games

• Singles – W (1900)
• Mixed Doubles – W (1900)