Bertha Townsend
Toulmin

Bertha Townsend Toulmin and Ellen Hansell, both natives of Philadelphia, shared a commonality in that neither had lengthy careers, competing for just a few years, and both mysteriously stopped playing tennis when their careers were maturing and on the rise. Each had a considerable impact on tennis as a pioneer of the women’s game, and for Townsend, it was her back-to-back U.S. National Women’s Singles Championships, the development of the backhand, and her mastery of serving underhand. Townsend, who died at a youthful 40, played in the U.S. National Championships in her hometown three times.

 

Townsend defeated defending champion Hansell in 1888, 6-3, 6-5. She became the first female repeat champion in the young history of the Championships in 1889 when she ousted Linda Vorhees, 7-5, 6-3. A bid for a three-peat was nullified in 1890, when Ellen Roosevelt won her first title, defeating Townsend, 6-2, 6-2. Quiet until 1894, Townsend still had enough polish in her game to advance to the all-comers final, losing to Helen Hellwig, 6-2, 7-5. She advanced to the semifinals the following year and ended her career with an 8-3 record at the U.S. Nationals.

 

Townsend captured the first U.S. Women’s Doubles Championships in 1889, partnering with Margarette Ballard to defeat Laura Knight and Marian Wright, 6-0, 6-2.