They are the kind of outfits neither Maria Sharapova nor Serena Williams would be seen dead in.
But the 1922 Wimbledon Women’s Singles final between Suzanne Lenglen and Molla Mallory was altogether more modest affair by the looks of it.
The French player Lenglen even turned up wearing a fur coat. It must have brought her some good luck – she went on to win 6-2, 6-0.
The image is part of a collection of rare and unseen photographs from the early days of the world’s most famous tennis tournament.
Smash hit: The finalists Suzanne Lenglen of France (right) and Molla Mallory of the USA (left) line up before the big match
In action: French player Suzanne Lenglen went on to win the Women’s Singles final in 1922. Outfits in the ladies’ game have got somewhat racier since then
Entertaining: Suzanne Lenglen shows the players were just as athletic and competitive
Fair play: Australian tennis players Gerald Patterson and James Anderson hold up their mascots before their men’s singles semi-final. Patterson went on to win the title
Rain stops play: In the days before Centre Court’s retractable roof, fans had to wait patiently for clear skies to see their heroes
Popular: The tournament drew huge numbers of fans who can be seen in their finest attire for a day out in SW19
Landmark: 1922 was the first year Wimbledon was held at its present Church Road location
Fast forward to 2013 and the outfits may have got a little racier, and the tennis a lot faster, but the inclement British weather still has the ability to play havoc with the tournament schedule.
Thankfully the forecast for this year’s tournament, which starts on Monday, looks positive with dry and sunny weather expected for much of the week.
Britain’s Andy Murray will be hoping to go one better after losing in last year’s final to Roger Federer.
And the World Number Two will be upbeat after winning Queen’s last week and a draw which means he will avoid Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
source:::::mailonline.com
Natarajan
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