The museum collection at the International Tennis Hall of Fame includes unique and notable inspiring artifacts that typically cannot be seen without visiting the museum in-person. From music that centered David Hall before his matches and cartoon drawings that helped Monica Seles train to incredible objects from Arthur Ashe and his humanitarian work, we've curated this first installment of inspiring artifacts from tennis history.
In these unsure times, we could all use some inspiration and motivation! Be it music, awards, or relics from accomplishments, what keeps you going?
ARTHUR ASHE
Arthur Ashe, Class of 1985, was much more than a storied tennis player; he was an activist, author, educator, and a tireless campaigner for civil rights and racial equality, not only in the United States but worldwide, particularly against the apartheid systems of South Africa. These artifacts from the museum collection highlight his inspirational work in tennis and humanity.
MALCOLM MORAN SCULPTURE
Sculptor Malcolm Moran crafted this piece as a gift to Gladys Heldman, Class of 1979, from "The Goils" — the Original 9.
In 1970, Heldman started the women’s pro tour, the precursor to today's WTA. The tour's inaugural event was the Virginia Slims of Houston, which offered a first of its kind opportunity for women to earn more equitable prize money to what men were earning.
Heldman enlisted 9 players including the most vocally disgruntled — Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals — along with Nancy Richey, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kerry Melville, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Tegart Dalton and her own daughter, Julie Heldman to compete. The women, who became known as The Original 9, signed one dollar contracts with Heldman to compete in the event.
WTA EQUAL PRIZE MONEY RECOGNITION AWARD
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour created this one-of-a-kind display—containing a ball from the 2007 Wimbledon Championships autographed by finalists Venus Williams and Marion Bartoli—to recognize the achievement of securing equal prize money for women in all four of the Grand Slam tournaments.
In 2007 Roland Garros and Wimbledon agreed to do so, following the Australian Open and the US Open who have provided equal prize money since 2000 and 1973, respectively.
LONGEST RALLY GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
If at first you don't succeed, try again until you set a World Record! Angelo and Etore Rossetti did just that on August 10, 2008 when they set the Guinness World Record for the longest rally with 25,944 consecutive hits over 14 hours, 31 minutes.
A new ball for reference.
This ball was from the Rossetti brothers' first attempt. While they did break the American Record with 19,490 consecutive hits over 10 hours, 38 minutes, this attempt in 2007 failed to set the World Record.
The World Record ball seen here survived the course of the 14 hour, 31 minute rally.
MONICA SELES' CARTOON MOUSE BALL
Illustrated by Monica Seles’ father Karolj, a cartoonist by trade, this ball was a training method unique to Monica. He encouraged Monica to go after these tennis ball-mice—channeling the popular cartoon Tom and Jerry—as if she was a cat waiting to pounce and strike.
DAVID HALL'S SLAYER CASSETTE TAPES
Music is a significant source of inspiration for many people. Some may enjoy easy listening, while others like David Hall, Class of 2015, turned to thrash metal.
David explained, "[f]or many years I listened to music before matches. When the US Open was played in Irvine, CA I would push from the hotel to the courts through suburbia. My favorite was always Slayer, even though their music was fast and heavy, in a weird way, it calmed me. I remember the first time I won the US Open I played Slayer on my Walkman. I felt their music had helped me so much I actually sent them a letter thanking them. They sent me a letter back congratulating me."
LOUISE BROUGH'S RUBY AND DIAMOND BROOCH
This custom brooch by New York City jeweler Warren D. Perry is one of two given by William duPont to his fiancée Margaret Osborne and her doubles partner (Althea) Louise Brough (Class of 1967). Both women’s favorite color was red; duPont promised them something red if they won the 1942 U.S. National Women’s Doubles Championship. With a dazzling array of gems, this “something red” is part of tennis history.
