Bill tilden children

Bill Tilden facts for kids

Full nameWilliam Tatem Tilden Jr.
Country (sports)United States
Born(1893-02-10)February 10, 1893
Philadelphia, PA, U.S.
DiedJune 5, 1953(1953-06-05) (aged 60)
Los Angeles, CA, U.S.
Height6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (1.87 m)
Turned pro1931 (amateur tour from 1912)
Retired1946
PlaysRight-handed (1-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF1959 (member page)
Singles
Career record1425–372 (79.3%)
Career titles138
Highest rankingNo. 1 (1920, A. Wallis Myers)
Grand Slam singles results
French OpenF (1927, 1930)
WimbledonW (1920, 1921, 1930)
US OpenW (1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1929)
Other tournaments
WHCCW (1921)
Professional majors
US ProW (1931, 1935)
Wembley ProF (1935, 1937)
French ProW (1933, 1934)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
WimbledonW (1927)
US OpenW (1918, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1927)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
US OpenW (1913, 1914, 1922, 1923)
Team competitions
Davis CupW (1920, 1921, 1922, 19
Tilden brought theatrics to tennis
By Ron Borges
Special to ESPN.com

Not even Bill Tilden's penchant for self-destruction was enough for anyone to challenge his place in tennis history. Through glorious triumph and inglorious tragedy, Tilden remained Big Bill.

Of all his remarkable feats none can surpass this: In 1950, during an era of closed minds, the Red scare and sexual conservatism, Big Bill Tilden was overwhelmingly voted the greatest tennis player of the first half of the 20th century in an Associated Press poll only six weeks after being released from prison for the second time on a conviction of having fondled and made unwanted advances to a teenage boy.

 
Bill Tilden became nearly unbeatable after working out problems with his backhand.

Today such a troubled man might be the darling of television. He would be on Montel Williams one day, Larry King the next, Oprah repeatedly. But that is today, as the 21st century dawns.

In 1950, there was little tolerance for sexual peccadilloes once exposed to the light of day. Yet there strode Tilden t

LGBT History Month - William 'Big Bill' Tilden II - Tennis Champion

William 'Big Bill' Tilden II - Tennis Champion

"Never change a winning game; always change a losing one."

He was the No. 1 player in the world for six years, from 1920 to 1925.

b. February 10, 1893
d. June 5, 1953

Bill Tilden is considered one of the greatest men's tennis champions in history. He was the No. 1 player in the world for six years, from 1920 to 1925. During that time, he became the first American to win Wimbledon.

Born to privilege in Philadelphia, he first picked up a racket as a small child. By the time he was 22, he had lost both parents and his brother. Struggling with immense grief, he preoccupied himself with tennis, which became his primary means of recovery. He wrote about the game in several noteworthy books, including "Match Play and the Spin of the Ball." By 27, he had attained championship status.

Tilden's countless wins include 14 major singles titles: a World Hard Court Championship, 10 Grand Slams and three Pro Slams. He also won a record seven U.S. Championships. His all-time te

Copyright ©tubglen.pages.dev 2025