Former Wimbledon champion Angela Mortimer-Barrett MBE, who won two all-British finals at SW19, has died at the age of 93. Plymouth-born Mortimer-Barrett won three Grand Slam singles titles and one doubles title despite suffering from increasing deafness during her career. She also partnered her husband and future BBC commentator John Barrett to the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles in 1966 – a year before they were married and she was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
Mortimer-Barrett won the 1955 French Open – to end an 18-year Grand Slam drought for British women – and the 1958 Australian Open singles. She also lost the 1956 French Open final to Althea Gibson who became the first African-American to win a Grand Slam tournament.
But Mortimer-Barrett’s most famous achievements came at her home Grand Slam. She combined with Anne Shilcock to win the all-British Wimbledon doubles final in 1955 against Shirley Bloomer and Pat Ward. And she beat Christine Truman in the 1961 final – and before retiring from singles.
She captained Great Britain’s Wightman Cup team from 1964 to 1970.
Deborah Jevans CBE, Chair of the All England Club, said: “Angela will be remembered for her determination and extraordinary dedication which saw her overcome significant challenges to rise to the top of tennis, winning three Grand Slam singles titles and one Grand Slam doubles title.
“An Honorary Member since her triumph in 1961, Angela has been a familiar face and valued Member for more than six decades. Her passing leaves a hole in the fabric of the Club, and she will be greatly missed.”
