Margaret Osborne duPont Dies at 94

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Margaret Osborne duPont Dies at 94

By Chris Oddo

(October 26, 2012)--Margaret Osborne duPont, one of the greatest tennis legends of the 20th century and winner of 37 Grand Slam titles, has died at 94.

DuPont died late Wednesday in El Paso, the Texas town that she had lived in since 1966.

During her decades-long professional tennis career, duPont won more titles at the U.S. Open than any other player. The three-time U.S. Open singles champion (1948-1950) also won two French Open singles titles (1946 and 1949) , as well as the Wimbledon singles title in 1947.

DuPont's most remarkable run of success occurred on the doubles court when partnered with longtime partner Louise Brough. DuPont and Brough had an eight-year unbeaten streak from 1942-1950, and dominated the U.S. Open in and around that period, winning the event 12 times in 14 years.

To this day, Osborne and Brough remain tied with Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver for most doubles titles all-time by a team with 20.

Perhaps more impressive than her results was duPont's love of the game. "It was just tennis, tennis, tennis," she told the El Paso Times in an interview last year. "My brother didn't play much. My parents didn't play at all. I don't know why I loved the game so much but I did. I was just fascinated by tennis."

Margaret Evelyn Osborne was born on March 4, 1918 in Joseph, Oregon. She spent her first nine years there, and eventually moved to San Francisco at age eleven, where she fell in love with the game. At that time she began playing at the Golden Gate Courts in San Francisco, competing in tournaments and writing about tennis as well.

"My parents didn't have much," duPont told the El Paso Times. "After I finished high school I had two choices--continue playing tennis and write [about tennis] or go to college--I chose to play tennis."

"Margaret duPont was a giant in tennis and had a huge impact in my career," said Billie Jean King in a statement. "She was one of my she-roes and was a great influence on my life both on and off the court. I hope today's players and any boy or girl who dreams of a career in tennis will go to the history books and read about Margaret, because her career wasn't just about winning matches. It was also about mentoring others."

DuPont was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame five years after her playing career ended, in 1967.

(Photo Credit: AP)