Let’s talk about a player that didn’t show up for a Slam final back in 1966

February 25th, 2010 • old school

I’m enjoying my last days of freedom. Soon, I’ll be back at uni, whining “Why do I need a journalism diploma anyway?” like I always do. I had very big plans for this afternoon: I’d wake up in a reasonable hour, watch some curling on TV, warm up and try out my new strings. It rained. In fact, it’s still pouring out there. So, instead, here I am, surfing the web, listening to some music (Ellie Goulding’s album leaked last night), drinking tea and being a very boring person overall.

Somehow, on this surfing the web thing, I stumbled upon American player Nancy Ritcher wiki page. (I know, guys, it’s shocking I’m single. I’m such a catch.) What amused about Ritcher‘s career was her Australian Open record. Richer had a lasting career, she played 18 U.S. Open, from 1958 to 1978. Unfortunately, she only played the Australian Open twice, in 66 and 67. Back in the pre-Open Era days, it was common for players from America not to play the tournaments overseas and, also, the other way around. Tennis wasn’t professional, there were no 70-million-dollar Nike contracts, it was very expensive to go all the way Down Under just for a tournament.

”It was tough,” said Richey to the Boston Globe in 2003, ”You stayed in fleabag hotels and just scraped by. Like at Forest Hills, even in 1969 when it was open, you were fighting the subway. That made it really tough. After being all day on a court, you were tired and it was hot.”

So why was her Australian Open history eye catching to me? While she took the title in 67, the year before, she lost to Margaret Court — by a walkover. Looking at the past champions of the tournament, that was the only time a walkover happened in a Women’s Singles AO final. Since the ladies were incorporated in the championships, back in 1922, the closest thing we got to a walkover in a final were two retirements. The most recent one being when Frenchwoman Amélie Mauresmo won her first Slam title after Justine Henin retired at 6-1 2-0 due to stomach cramps.

I did my job. I googled and researched what led Ritcher to not show up for her first Australian Open final. I came up empty handed. And was, whatever happened at the 1966 final, a push that made her eager to come back in the following year to take the title? Indulge me, folks. If anyone knows something that could help me satisfy my schoolgirl curiosity for random tennis tidbits, I’d love it. Really, please.

Also, apparently Ritcher wore shorts to play matches. This was back in the 60′s — where frilly white dresses were the norm for all tennis playing ladies. Knowing how much I love a fashion revolution: Cheers, Ritcher.

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