Anarchy on the Court

"Britain, whisper it gently," breathed the Times of London, "may today win the Wightman Cup." But one match the Times was ready to concede to the U.S. was between World Champion Althea Gibson and a strapping, 17-year-old blonde named Christine Truman. Christine had got the British team off to a promising start by beating second-ranking U.S. Tennist Dorothy Knode, but did not seem in the same class with Althea. "To expect Miss Truman to defeat Miss Gibson," said the Times sadly, "would be to expect anarchy."

Anarchy prevailed. After a long winter of weight lifting and wind sprints, Christine brightened Wimbledon's No. 1 court with the finest tennis of her short career. Her powerful forehand was unbeatable, her sliced backhand was too cute for Althea to handle, her serve had a vicious hop. And as her confidence grew, her shots sharpened. She ran Althea off the court, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. It was the decisive match; Christine and her teammates forthwith walked off with the Wightman Cup (4-3) for the first time in 28 years.

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