Little Mo — the first woman to complete the calendar Grand Slam, a champion cut short by tragedy.
Maureen Connolly was born on 17 September 1934 in San Diego, California. Nicknamed 'Little Mo' (after the battleship USS Missouri), she was a prodigious talent who won 9 Grand Slam singles titles before the age of 20. In 1953 she became the first woman to complete the calendar Grand Slam. Tragically, a horse-riding accident in 1954 ended her playing career. She subsequently worked in coaching and died of cancer in 1969 aged just 34. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time despite her brief career.
Calendar Grand Slam 1953
She won her 9 Grand Slam titles all before her 20th birthday — and then a horse-riding accident ended her career entirely at age 19.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Calendar Grand Slam 1953
- Wimbledon 3x
- US Championships 3x
- French Championships 2x
- Australian Championships 1x