Australian Margaret Smith Court became the second woman in history to secure titles in all four Grand Slam tournaments in a calendar year in 1970 after retiring temporarily for two years. She also won more titles—24 to be exact—than any other woman player on the pro tour after earning her first in 1960. She would earn five US Championships over her career.
Court holds an amazing record of having won every possible title, women’s singles, mixed doubles and women’s doubles, in all four Grand Slams in a calendar year, giving her the far reaching “Boxed-set” title. Only one of three players to ever achieve this, she is the only one to manage it twice—an extraordinary feat.
At age 55 former world No. 1 male pro Bobby Riggs was engaged in a match with Court in 1973 and defeated her easily. It was said she thought the match was a given win for her and as a result did not take it seriously.
She was on and off the court over the course of her marriage and child bearing years. Margaret Smith Court made her last Grand Slam final appearance in 1975 and retired after giving birth to her fourth child in 1977.
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