Helen Wills Moody

About

Helen Wills Moody, born Helen Newington Wills on October 6, 1905, in Centerville, California, was a pioneering American tennis player. She dominated the sport in the 1920s and 1930s, winning 19 Grand Slam singles titles among her 31 total Grand Slam championships. Wills was known for her relentless baseline game, powerful serves, and stoic demeanor on the court, earning her the nickname "Little Miss Poker Face." She was a global celebrity, befriending royalty and film stars despite preferring a private life. Wills's tennis career was marked by numerous achievements, including eight Wimbledon singles titles and seven U.S. Championships. She was a key figure in the U.S. Wightman Cup team and won two Olympic gold medals in 1924. Wills married twice, first to Frederick Moody and then to Aiden Roark. She retired from competitive tennis in 1938 but remained involved in the sport and other pursuits, including writing and art. Wills was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1959 and passed away on January 1, 1998, in Carmel, California.