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SPORTS Saturday 9 June 2018
Brazilian tennis great Maria Bueno dies after cancer battle

By STAN LEHMAN and Bueno was ranked No. 1 a white Tinling dress that
MAURICIO SAVARESE, SAO in the world in 1959, 1960, had a pink underskirt and
PAULO (AP) — Maria Bueno, 1964 and 1966. She was the matching pink underwear.
a Brazilian tennis great who first non-American woman "There was a gasp from one
won three Wimbledon to win Wimbledon and end of the court," Bueno
singles titles and four at the the U.S. Open in the same recalled years later. "And
U.S. Open in the 1950s and season. the people at the other
1960s, and helped usher in Billie Jean King, who end didn't know why, until I
modern women's tennis, beat Bueno in the 1966 changed ends and served
has died after battling Wimbledon final and later from there.
mouth cancer. She was 78. helped start a women's "Later I wore panties that
Bueno was admitted to professional tennis tour, resembled the club colors,
the Nove de Julho hospital said the Brazilian was one which outraged the club
in Sao Paulo on Tuesday of the players that made committee and they
and on Friday the hospital tennis less of a men's game. brought in the all-white
released a statement "Maria was a big star who clothing rule."
confirming her death. It caught the interest of the Born in Sao Paulo, Bueno
declined to provide more fans at a time when the started playing tennis at
details out of respect for men took center stage. She the age of 6 and entered
her family. helped lay the groundwork her first tournament at 11.
"A very sad day for sports. for what was to come," At 17, she left Brazil for the
Brazil and the world lost King told Bueno's website United States.
a true tennis legend," in 2009. "She deserves to be Despite being considered
tweeted the International recognized." a future star after winning
Olympic Committee, one of Bueno said men were key national tournaments at a
several sports organizations to her game. young age, Bueno was shy
and professional tennis "It was only because I about her achievements.
players to praise Bueno's trained with men that I "I'm not good," she told
contribution. developed my speed. The Associated Press after
Nicknamed "The Tennis People said I looked being named Female In this July 24, 2016 file photo the former No. 1-ranked tennis
Ballerina" because of effortless, but that was from Athlete of the Year in 1959. player Maria Esther Bueno carries the Rio 2016 Olympic torch
her graceful style, Bueno training with guys," said "I'm afraid of everyone I during the torch relay in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
spent most of her career Bueno, who played without play."q Associated Press
on the court before the a coach.
professional era. She won From 1957-67, a decade in
19 Grand Slam titles overall, which she was dominating
seven in singles, 11 in on the tennis court, Bueno
doubles and one in mixed won 65 singles tournaments,
doubles, between 1959 90 doubles titles and 15
and 1966. She also reached in mixed doubles. She
the singles final at both the was runner-up in 45 other
Australian Open and the competitions.
French Open. Injuries and illness shortened
Bueno was inducted into her career, including
the International Tennis Hall spending eight months in
of Fame in 1978 and was bed in 1961 because of
more recently contributing hepatitis.
regularly to Brazilian Her last major title came
television at Wimbledon, in 1968 when she won the
the U.S. Open and other doubles title at the U.S.
major tennis events. Open alongside Margaret
Bueno won her first major Court — one of her biggest
at Wimbledon in 1959, rivals in singles.
when she was 19. In "Tennis Bueno and Court faced
Encyclopedia," Bud Collins each other in five major
described her at the time as finals, with Bueno winning
"the incomparably balletic two of them.
and flamboyant Bueno." Bueno's career took a
"Volleying beautifully, downturn as the Open era
playing with breathtaking started in 1968 because of
boldness and panache, arm and leg injuries. But
the lithe Brazilian became she returned to tennis years
the first South American later and won her final
woman to win the tournament at the Japan
Wimbledon singles," Collins Open in 1974.
wrote. Off the court, Bueno also
Adored in Brazil after had an interest in fashion
winning the trophy, Bueno and played in dresses
became one of the tailored by English couturier
symbols of the country's Ted Tinling.
change from mostly rural to In 1964, Bueno surprised the
urban and modern. public at Wimbledon with