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Alice Marble: Tennis Legend, War Hero, and Wonder Woman

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Vocabulary

Pleurisy (noun): Inflammation of the lungs that causes chest pain.

Sanatorium (noun): A medical facility for long-term illness recovery.

Exhibition (noun): A public performance or match that is not for a championship.

Double agent (noun): A spy who pretends to work for one side while secretly working for the other.

Editorial (noun): A written opinion piece in a publication.

In the golden age of tennis during the late 1930s, one player reigned supreme — Alice Marble. Known for her bold serve-and-volley technique and fierce athleticism, she won 18 Grand Slam titles and lost just one match in Wightman Cup competition. In 1939, she became world number one and swept Wimbledon, earning the rare "Triple Crown" with victories in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Early life and the start of her career

Marble’s rise wasn’t easy. Growing up in California, she originally loved baseball, but turned to tennis after her brother suggested it was more “ladylike.” Ironically, her powerful serve — shaped by baseball — earned her praise usually reserved for male athletes. She defied tennis norms by wearing shorts and revolutionized women’s tennis with her aggressive style.

Overcoming hardship

Marble endured deep trauma. At age 15, she was raped by a stranger, a tragedy she kept hidden out of shame. Years later, while playing in Paris, she collapsed from illness and was diagnosed with tuberculosis and pleurisy. Doctors told her she’d never play again. But she refused to accept that fate, left the sanatorium early, and returned stronger than ever.

A multifaceted career

Off the court, she became a celebrity. She designed sportswear, performed at the Waldorf Astoria, worked as a radio football reporter, and joined DC Comics as a contributing editor. Her Wonder Women of History comic series highlighted real-life heroines like Florence Nightingale, empowering young readers with stories of courage.

World War II and later life

In 1942, she married Joe Crowley, a soldier she met while playing exhibition matches. Two years later, she lost both her baby and husband within days — one due to a car accident, the other to war. Grief-stricken, she attempted suicide. But instead of giving up, she signed up as a spy. Working for U.S. Intelligence, she was sent to Switzerland to uncover Nazi-hidden wealth from a banker — who was also a former lover. The mission nearly cost her her life when a double agent shot her in the back.

Standing up for equal rights in tennis

Surviving yet again, Marble returned to tennis as a coach, mentoring future champion Billie Jean King. In 1950, she penned a groundbreaking editorial in American Lawn Tennis magazine, calling for the inclusion of Black athletes. Her support helped Althea Gibson break the color barrier in Grand Slam tennis.

Alice Marble’s legacy

Alice Marble was more than a champion — she was a fighter, a leader, and a legend who reshaped sports, challenged racism, and risked her life for freedom. Her story lives on as a true example of courage in action.

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