Jacobs, Helen Hull

(1908–1997) U.S. tennis player.

Jacobs was the national junior tennis champion in 1924–25. She was first defeated by Helen Wills, who would prove to be her longtime rival, in the 1928 finals at Forest Hills, N.Y. Though Wills was virtually always victorious, Jacobs was a popular favourite. Her only victory over Wills came by default. Though often in Wills's shadow, Jacobs won four U.S. Open singles (1932–35), three doubles (1932 and 1934–35), and mixed doubles (1934) championships. She was ranked in the world's top 10 from 1928 to 1940. In 1933 she became the first woman to break with tradition by wearing man-tailored shorts at Wimbledon. Her autobiography, Beyond the Game, appeared in 1936.

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▪ 1998

      American tennis player and author (b. Aug. 6, 1908, Globe, Ariz.—d. June 2, 1997, East Hampton, N.Y.), was noted for her on-court rivalry with compatriot Helen Wills Moody in the 1920s and '30s. The "Battle of the Helens," as it was dubbed by the press, began in 1923 when Moody defeated Jacobs in a practice set. For more than a decade, Moody dominated their matches, but Jacobs's charisma and pluck—a sharp contrast to Moody's reserved demeanour—made her a crowd favourite. Jacobs's only victory over her rival came by default at the finals of the 1933 U.S. nationals when Moody, who was trailing in the match, withdrew because of a back injury. Though often in Moody's shadow, Jacobs posted an impressive tennis record, including U.S. singles (1932-35), doubles (1932 and 1934-35), and mixed doubles (1934) championships. She made six appearances at the Wimbledon finals, winning the title in 1936. Jacobs was ranked in the world's top 10 from 1928 to 1940 and was also a member of the U.S. Wightman Cup team (1927-39). In 1933 she became the first woman to break with tradition by wearing man-tailored shorts at Wimbledon. Jacobs enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the intelligence unit, where she was one of only five women to earn the rank of commander. She wrote many books mostly on tennis and fitness. She retired from competitive play in 1947 and in 1962 was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

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▪ American athlete

born Aug. 6, 1908, Globe, Ariz, U.S.

died June 2, 1997, East Hampton, N.Y.

      American tennis player and writer who, in the 1920s and '30s, became known for her persistence and her on-court rivalry with Helen Wills (Moody). (Wills, Helen)

      Jacobs was the national junior tennis champion in 1924–25 and attended the University of California, Berkeley, from 1926 to 1929. She was defeated by Helen Wills in the 1928 finals at Forest Hills, New York, and in the Wimbledon finals in 1929 and 1932. Though Wills was usually victorious, Jacobs's charisma and pluck—a sharp contrast to Wills's reserve—made her a popular favourite. Jacobs's only victory over her leading rival came by default at the finals of the 1933 U.S. Open when Wills, who was trailing, withdrew because of a back injury. Though often in Wills's shadow, Jacobs posted an impressive tennis record, including four U.S. Open singles (1932–35), three doubles (1932 and 1934–35), and mixed doubles (1934) championships. Jacobs made six appearances at the Wimbledon finals, winning the title in 1936. She was ranked in the world's top 10 from 1928 to 1940 and was also a member of the U.S. Wightman Cup team (1927–39). In 1933 she became the first woman to break with tradition by wearing man-tailored shorts at Wimbledon.

      During her career in tennis she became a writer, her first books being Modern Tennis (1933) and Improve Your Tennis (1936). She also wrote fictional works (e.g., Storm Against the Wind [1944]). Her autobiography Beyond the Game appeared in 1936.

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