Suzanne Lenglen: The world's first global sporting celebrity

Suzanne Lenglen: The world's first global sporting celebrity After the French Open unveiled a new roof for their court named after Suzanne Lenglen, a look at the 1920s athlete who blazed a trail for modern sports stars. Suzanne Lenglen was a trailblazer in the world of sports and is regarded as the first global sporting celebrity. Born on May 24, 1899, in Paris, France, Lenglen's career took the world by storm in the 1920s, making her an icon and an inspiration for future generations of athletes. Lenglen's journey to becoming a tennis legend began at a young age. Encouraged by her parents, who recognized her talent and passion for the sport, Lenglen started playing tennis at the tender age of 11. She quickly rose through the ranks and by the age of 15, she was already competing at the highest level. It was in 1919 that Lenglen truly burst onto the scene. She won her first Wimbledon ladies' singles title that year, defeating her opponent, Dorothea Lambert Chambers, in straight sets. This victory marked the beginning of Lenglen's dominance in the world of tennis. She went on to win six more Wimbledon singles titles, including five consecutive victories from 1920 to 1924. Lenglen brought a new level of athleticism and style to the game. She introduced a more aggressive and attacking style