Bill Tilden

William Tatem Tilden II (February 10, 1893 - June 5, 1953), often called "Big Bill", was an American tennis player. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a wealthy family, he was a "Junior" at birth but changed his name to "II" when he was in his mid-20s.

Tilden the pro

In the late 1920s the great French players known as the "Four Musketeers" finally wrested the Davis Cup away from Tilden and the United States, as well as his domination of the singles titles at Wimbledon and Forest Hills. Tilden had long been at odds with the draconianly rigid amateur directors of the United States Lawn Tennis Association about his income derived from newspaper articles about tennis. He won his last major championship at Wimbledon in 1930 at the age of 37 but was no longer able to win titles at will. In 1931, in need of money, he turned professional and joined the fledgling pro tour, which had begun only in 1927. For the next 15 years he and a handful of other professionals barnstormed across the United States and Europe in a series of one-night stands, with Tilden still the player that people primarily paid to see. Even with such greats as Ellsworth Vines, Fred Perry, and Don Budge as his opponents, it was Tilden who ensured the box-office receipts -- and who could still hold his own against the much younger players for a first set or even an occasional match. In 1945 the 52-year old Tilden and his long-time doubles partner Vinnie Richards won the professional doubles championship -- they had won the United States amateur title 27 years earlier in 1918.

Related Topics:
1920s - "Four Musketeers" - Wimbledon - Forest Hills - United States Lawn Tennis Association - 1927 - Ellsworth Vines - Fred Perry - Don Budge - 1945 - Vinnie Richards

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