1999 ATP TOURNAMENT THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1999
Browne was first U.S. woman pro
Later starred in golf
BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Mary K. Browne, a member of the International Hall of Fame, was the first American female professional, joining promoter C.C. Pyle's first tour of pros in 1926.
1910s Browne had a stellar career as an amateur -- including winning the women's title at the National Clay Court Championship in Cincinnati in 1914 -- before turning pro in the later years of her playing days.
She dominated the U.S. Championships from 1912-14, winning singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions.
And how about this day at the office: Browne played 82 games in one rainy afternoon during the 1912 U.S. Championships while winning all three titles. She would say later: "The rain was coming down in torrents, and still we went on, our rackets mushy and our clothes soaked."
FUN FACT Clarence Griffin, who won the Tri-State men's title in 1915, was the uncle of TV personality Merv Griffin, right. Clarence Griffin, a Hall of Famer, also won the 1914 National Clay Court Championship in Cincinnati. Browne was the top-ranked player in the country in 1913 and '14 and was still rated as high as No. 6 in 1925.
Now add this to her resume: In 1924, she turned her attention to golf and reached the final of the U.S. Women's Golf Championships before losing to Dorothy Campbell Hurd.
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