Angela Mortimer, tennis champion who triumphed over adversity, dies at 93
Angela Mortimer, the British tennis champion who overcame dysentery and partial deafness to claim three Grand Slam singles titles, including her final victory at Wimbledon in 1961, passed away on Monday in London at the age of 93. She died of cancer in a hospital, a fact confirmed by Robert McNicol, historian of the All England Club, home of Wimbledon.
Mortimer was 29 and nearing the end of her amateur-era career when she faced fellow Briton Christine Truman in the Wimbledon women’s singles final. After winning the first set and leading in the second, she capitalized on Truman’s fall and leg cramp to take the second and third sets. Praised for her tactical play, driving control, and court awareness, Mortimer was described as introverted yet beloved. Her partial deafness, which she rarely disclosed, helped her focus during matches, including her 1955 Wimbledon women’s doubles win alongside Anne Shilcock.
Born Florence Angela Margaret Mortimer on April 21, 1932, in Plymouth, England, she began tennis in her teens under coach Arthur Roberts in Torquay. She won her first Grand Slam at the 1955 French Championships, becoming the first British woman in 18 years to do so. After a bout of amoebic dysentery in Egypt, she returned to win the 1958 Australian Championships. Her long-standing goal of Wimbledon glory was realized in 1961, the year she became Britain’s top-ranked player. She retired from singles in 1962 but continued doubles play and led Britain’s Wightman Cup team, serving as captain from 1964 to 1970.
Mortimer married John Barrett, former British Davis Cup captain and BBC commentator, in 1967, and together they were later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She also worked in tennis fashion with designer Ted Tinling, advocating for an immaculate and traditional English tennis style. Mortimer is survived by her husband, two children, and four grandchildren.
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