Thelma Long

Thelma Dorothy Coyne Long was one of the many female Australian tennis players who rose to fame in the mid-1930’s to 1950’s. She married Maurice Newton Long in January 30 1941. The marriage did not last until the end of the World War II. In May of 1941, Long joined the Red Cross as a transport driver and worked in Melbourne, Australia. On February 19, 1942 she joined the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) and became he captain in 1944. For her services, she was awarded the war medal and the Australian service medal. She volunteered also in the State Library of New South Wales and received the volunteer service award.

Meanwhile, in her tennis carrier, during the Australian Championships, she won single titles. In women’s doubles, she won ten titles with Nancy Waynne Bolton and three titles with Mary Bevis Haw ton. She won mixed doubles with George Worthington in 1951, 1952 and 1955, and in 1954 with Rex Hartwig. At Wimbledon, Long was a finalist of women’s doubles in 1957 together with Hawton. And a mixed double finalist with Enrique Morea in 1952. At the age of 52, she teamed up with Lorraine Coghlan Robinson where they lose in the first round of women’s doubles in 1971 during the Wimbledon match.

She won the mixed doubles title with Luis Ayala in 1956. At the tournament in Cincinnati, Long won the singles titles and together with Kanter she earned the women’s doubles.

Long was included in the world top ten in 1952 and 1954, according to Lance Tingay of the Daily telegraph and the Daily Mail.

She became a professional teacher to the promising New South Wales junior players in 1960.