Bertha Townsend Toulmin

Bertha Townsend Toulmin is best remembered with the name “Birdie” and as the U.S. female tennis player who discovered the under-hand technique. She played in the women’s singles U.S. championships repeatedly in 1888 and 1889. She was also a finalist in 1890. She was a doubles champion in 1889 and a finalist in 1890. In total, she appeared in the championship events held in her hometown for five times. She was successfully imposed twice into the simple ladies in the 1888 and 1889 U.S. Women’s National Championships as well.

Bertha, a U.S. citizen, was born on March 7, 1869 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. After a meaningful career in tennis, she died during her prime years in May 12, 1909 in Haverford, PA. She was married to Harry Toulmin in 1894. Bertha performed both her responsibilities as a wife and as budding tennis player.

Bertha’s success was dependent on her aggressive way of playing with style in courts and her strong right hand spin. Her skill eventually defeated Ellen Hansell, a former champion. She gathered a score of 6-3 6-5 in the challenge rounds. She also defeated Lida Vorhees to a score of 7-5, 6-3. She finally lost a game to Ellen Roosevelt still in the challenge round in 1890 with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

The same year she was married, she also competed in the finals but lost the title to Helen Hellwig. She continued to be a semi-finalist after a year. But unfortunately, it became her last game and ceased competing because of unforeseen events. She garnered an 8-3 record in the U.S. singles.

Her accomplishments and awards influenced her election in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She was inducted in 1974.