Throwback Thursday: American champion Wills Moody is born

Oct 06, 2016
Style Points

Adidas drops 2025 Melbourne collection ahead of Australian Open

By Baseline Staff Jan 08, 2025
Style Points

Outfit(s) of the Day: Destanee Aiava goes vintage with classic kits in Australian Open qualies

By David Kane Jan 08, 2025
Social

Why did Danielle Collins change her Instagram profile picture to an Iga Swiatek handshake photo?

By Baseline Staff Jan 07, 2025
The Business of Tennis

Coco Gauff invests in Unrivaled women’s basketball league

By Liya Davidov Jan 07, 2025
Social

Daniil Medvedev surprises tennis world with second child with wife Daria ahead of Australian Open

By David Kane Jan 07, 2025
Your Game

Racquet Preview: Tecnifibre T-Fight

By Jon Levey Jan 07, 2025
Style Points

First Look: New Balance unveils colorful 2025 Australian Open collection

By Baseline Staff Jan 06, 2025
Social

Naomi Osaka confirms split from longtime partner Cordae, will co-parent daughter Shai

By David Kane Jan 06, 2025
Pop Culture

'Challengers' wins Best Original Score at 2025 Golden Globe Awards

By Baseline Staff Jan 06, 2025

Throwback Thursday: American champion Wills Moody is born

The American, born on October 6, 1905, would win 19 Grand Slam si

Published Oct 06, 2016

Helen Wills Moody (also known as Helen Wills) was born on October 6, 1905 in Fremont, Calif. She would go on to win 31 Grand Slam titles, including 19 in singles.

Widely regarded as the first American athlete to become a globally recognizable figure, and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Wills Moody was No. 1 in the world for nine years from 1927–33 and in 1935 and 1938. During the 1927–33 stretch, she won 180 matches in a row without losing a set.

Her record of eight straight Wimbledon titles was surpassed by Martina Navratilova in 1990.

Wills died on January 1, 1998 at the age of 92.