Born in Paris in 1899, Suzanne Lenglen

Suzanne Lenglen was the first person to elevate women's tennis from 'amusement' to 'competitive sport.' Her technique, passion, and star quality demonstrated to the world the legitimacy of women competing seriously in athletics.

Born in 1899 in Compiegne, Paris, her father Charles was passionate about tennis and provided strict coaching from childhood. He would place coins on the court and have her hit balls to those exact spots - training that became the foundation of Lenglen's extraordinary control.

In 1914, she won the French Championships (then a domestic event) at fifteen. After World War I interrupted her career, she won gold at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Until turning professional in 1926, she compiled an overwhelming record including six Wimbledon titles and six French titles. She lost only a handful of matches in her entire career.

Lenglen's playing style was revolutionary for her time. In an era when women rallied from the baseline, she charged the net and finished points with volleys. Her athletic movement challenged contemporary notions of 'femininity.'

She also revolutionized fashion. Knee-length pleated skirts, sleeveless tops, and her signature bandana replaced the ankle-length dresses and corsets that had been standard women's tennis attire. Her fashion reportedly influenced Coco Chanel's sportswear designs.

In 1926, she turned professional, earning unprecedented fees touring America - proving that female athletes could earn a living through sport.

She died of leukemia in 1938 at just thirty-nine. One of the main courts at Roland Garros (French Open venue) bears her name. In tennis technique, sports entertainment, and women's social advancement, Lenglen was a pioneer in every dimension.