In between the World Cup matches thoughts also turn to the action at SW19 and the exploits of Tim Henman and Andy Murray

The Anniesland connection with the sport of Tennis is considerable with the Accies' British Lion Louis Greig having partnered King George V1 at Wimbledon in 1926

In the early 1960s Colin Baxter and Ronnie Low(Stuart's father) also played at Wimbledon

However the most significant connection is one Charlotte Cooper(Brian Simmer's grandmother) who won the Ladies Singles on five occasions in the late 1890s and early 1900s and also won the Olympic Gold medal for Ladies Singles at the 1900 Games which were held in Paris

When the Olympic Games were revived in 1896 even the founder himself, Baron Pierre de Coubertin,(who later became an international rugby referee) did not agree with women's participation in the Games. This issue was the topic of much debate between the initial members of the IOC. However, women did not take part in the Games until 1900 in Paris. It was here that Britain's Charlotte Cooper became the first female gold medallist in the tennis singles competition. Only one other sport saw women's participation in 1900, golf.

Charlotte Reinagle Cooper (September 22, 1870 – October 10, 1966) was a tennis player born in Ealing, Middlesex, England where, as a young lady, she was a member of the Ealing Lawn Tennis Club. She won her first of five Wimbledon championships singles titles in 1895, wearing an ankle-length dress in accordance with proper Victorian attire. She won again the following year and for the third time in 1898.

Nicknamed "Chattie" she was a tall, slender, and elegant woman in appearance but a deceptively powerful athlete who became the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She won the tennis singles at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France where women were allowed to participate for the first time. She followed this up with a second gold medal, winning the mixed doubles with partner, Reginald Doherty.

After time off for family, she returned to active tennis, winning her fifth Wimbledon singles title in 1908 at the age of 37 years 282 days, an age record that still stands. In 1912, at age 41 she was still one of the best players in the game and that year made it to the Wimbledon finals.

This article was originally posted on 28-Jun-2006, 14:46 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 29-Jun-2006, 22:06.