P5801

Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly Brinker

Tennis Player

Cover Announcement 

Maureen was born on September 17 , 1934 in San Diego. As a child her first love was horseback riding, but her family was unable to afford lessons. Her second choice at age 10 was tennis, and she took up the game on the municipal courts of San Diego.

She became a baseline specialist with tremendous power and accuracy combined with a strong backhand. At age 11 she was called "Little Mo" in a column by local sportswriter Nelson Fisher. He compared her forehand and backhand to the firepower of the battleship U.S.S. Missouri known as "Big Mo."

At age 14 Connolly won 56 consecutive matches. In 1951 at 16 she won the U.S. Championship. The following year she won her first Wimbledon title. Later in 1952 she successfully defended her U.S. Championship crown. In 1953 Maureen won all four of the "Grand Slam" Championships - Australia, France, Great Britain, and the United States.

This amazing player won the last nine Grand Slam Tournaments she played and was named the "Female Athlete of the Year" by the Associated Press from 1951 to 1953. After defending her French and Wimbledon titles in 1954, her career came to an abrupt end. While out horseback riding, a cement truck spooked her horse, and Maureen was pinned between the animal and the truck. She suffered a compound fracture to her right fibula which ended her amazing tennis career at age 19.

"Little Mo" won a total of nine Grand Slam tennis titles in her short career. During this incredible run of victories, she won 50 consecutive singles matches. But for the unfortunate accident, there is no way of knowing what her career achievements may have been. I am pleased to offer my individually hand painted first day cover for the young tennis phenomenon - Mauren Connolly-Brinker. Collins Number P5801 at $16.50.