Daphne Cozens

Daphne Akhurst Cozens is a female professional tennis player from Ashfield, Sydney, New South Wales who was born on April 22, 1903. Her parents, Oscar James Akhurst and Jessie Florence made her learn piano as a child. She was trained at the State Conservatorium of Music. She then started learning tennis and ultimately, won several Australian Championships in her time.

This former World No. 3 defeated fellow Australian Esna Boyd Robertson in 3 Australian Championships which were in 1925, 1926 and 1928. She also defeated Louise Bickerton in 1929 and Sylvia Lance Harper in 1930. In her tennis career, she was able to participate in the French Championship and Wimbledon but only up the quarterfinals.

In 1925, Akhurst teamed up with Esna Boyd Roberson and Sylvia Lance Harper in the Women’s Doubles and competed in Europe and in the United States. She also won several Australian Championships Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles partnering Louie Bickerton, John Willard, Gar Moon and Frenchman Jean Borotra.

Daphne was described as someone shy and reserved, but she was a strong competitor in any match. Her consistency came from her practice games with Australian tennis pros Norman Peach and Jack Crawford in The Western Suburbs Association.

On February 26, 1930, Akhurst married Royston Stuckey Cozens at the St Philip's Church of England, Sydney. Mr. Cozen was the son of Arthur Cozens, a tobacco manufacturer. Royston followed the footsteps of his father and was also a tobacco manufacturer.

After winning the Australian Women’s Doubles tournament in 1931, Daphne retired, and had one son. However, she died of an ectopic pregnancy on January 9, 1933 and was cremated.