Jacobs, Helen Hull

Jacobs, Helen Hull

(1908–1997) U.S. tennis player.Jacobs was the national junior tennis champion in 1924–25. She was first defeated by Helen Wills, who would prove to be her longtime rival, in the 1928 finals at Forest Hills, N.Y. Though Wills was virtually always victorious, Jacobs was a popular favourite. Her only victory over Wills came by default. Though often in Wills's shadow, Jacobs won four U.S. Open singles (1932–35), three doubles (1932 and 1934–35), and mixed doubles (1934) championships. She was ranked in the world's top 10 from 1928 to 1940. In 1933 she became the first woman to break with tradition by wearing man-tailored shorts at Wimbledon. Her autobiography, Beyond the Game, appeared in 1936.