Dr. Szabó Lajos: Nők a magyar sportban (A Sportmúzeum Kincsei 3. Budapest, 2003)

WOMEN'S TENNIS Tennis was not a widely pursued game in Hungary until the late 19th century. Its popularity among women in West Europe's aristocrat, noble and wealthy civilian families was nearly non-existent in Hungary. Earl István Széchenyi's attempt to establish a "ball game house" in Pozsony (today Bratislava, Slovakia) failed. Pictures from the era, however, show that tennis-like racket games were known in this part of the world, too. The I860's brought about an impressive development in both men's and women's tennis. The proliferation of international relations and expanding travel opportunities (railways) made Western lifestyle a fashionable and attractive example for Hungary's upper (middle) class women. This is what promoted sports like tennis, golf, sailing and rowing. Lawn tennis called for physical skill endurance and combined it with the experience of outdoor sporting. Tennis courts were added to the services available at most holiday resorts in the country (Balatonfüred, Hévíz, Adriatic coast). Besides being a leisure activity, tennis also gained ground as an official sport. The first open in Hungary was organized by the Balatonfüred Yacht Club in 1896. To everyone's surprise, the winner was Countess Paulina Pálffy. In the first decades of the 20th century, tennis remained one of the main sports with a role in social life and became increasingly popular in the middle class. At official tennis tournaments, Hungary's men were definitely more successful in that period (József Abóth, Béla Kehrling). In 1955, however, Zsuzsa Körmöczi delivered a world-class accomplishment by winning the Roland Garros tournament in Paris. Following her came Andrea Temesvái in the I980's who won the women's doubles at the Roland Garros with Martina Navratilova. Tennis has played and is still playing an important role as a favorite past-time activity. Its status as one of the most popular sports derives the skill set required for it: dexterity, concentration and outstanding physical condition.