Court, Margaret Smith (1942-…), was an Australian tennis star who ranked among the top women players in the world from 1961 to 1975. She was rated number one in the world for seven years. Court was known for her strength and her aggressive, net-rushing style of play.
Court won 24 career singles grand slam tournaments, more than any other female tennis player. She is one of only six players, male or female, to win 20 or more grand slam singles titles. The grand slam consists of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open tournaments. In 1970, Court won all four grand slam singles tournaments. She won all four grand slam mixed doubles titles in 1963 and in 1965. During her career, Court won a record 62 grand slam titles—24 in women’s singles, 19 in women’s doubles, and 19 in mixed doubles.
Margaret Jean Smith was born on July 16, 1942, in Albury, New South Wales, Australia. In 1967, she married Barry Court, an Australian wool broker. She retired from tennis competition in 1977 and became a lay Christian minister. She was ordained in 1991. In 2007, Court was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for her services to tennis. She was named a Companion of the Order of Australia, the Order’s highest level, in 2021. The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity.
