WORKING///WRITING///PLAYING///CONTACT
by Rob Arner
If you're lucky enough to walk through the player's entrance door onto the center court of Wimbledon, you will see above it a quote by Rudyard Kipling: "If I can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." Pauline Betz-Addie has lived by this maxim.
Betz-Addie's career actualized a quest for becoming the best while taking things in stride. Fifty years ago she fulfilled her dream to win Wimbledon, but her dream became a nightmare when a half a year later she was suspended from playing her beloved tennis. Her "crime": she wanted to earn a better living playing tennis.
Like a tennis ball, however, Betz-Addie rebounds. Pauline's optimism is unwavering. She recently told me, "You do not know what good is and you do not know what bad is." She exemplifies "world class" and "down to earth," and to this day, some five decades after her triumph at Wimbledon, she remains competitive in the most positive sense of the word, and has an enjoyable time in the process.
At nine years old, Pauline's passion for tennis developed both swiftly and completely when her first tennis racket was purchased at a Los Angeles swap-shop. From then on, her neighbors awakened each morning at 6:00 a.m. by the sound of a tennis ball smacking against the Betz family's garage door. The racket may have been second-class, but its owner went on to become a first-class world tennis champion. Along with her dedicated practice, her entrepreneurial spirit kept her solvent as she collected returnable bottles and sold newspapers. Though very young, Pauline was well on her way to personifying peak athletic ability and mental savvy.
Pauline's first "Wimbledon" was played at a neighbor's house on a make believe "foreign" court. As an indicator of what was to come, in her first explosive debut she struck one ball with such force that it smashed through a distant window, shattering a valuable antique vase. Nearly two decades later she created another explosion in her push to revolutionize professional tennis.
Tragically, Pauline played Wimbledon only once—perfectly; she did not lose a single set! Gone were the days of dreaming about, and practicing endless hours to achieve, excellence: Pauline defeated the celebrated Louis Brough, 6-2, 6-4. Several years before, a bomb destroyed center court, and Wimbledon closed until World War II ended, thus preventing her from playing this championship event for years.
Despite being a well-known athletic champion part of her career, Pauline's tennis expenses were barely covered. Five years prior to Wimbledon, she won the U.S. Open at Forest Hills only to be waiting tables the next week near Rollins College. She went on to claim four Forest Hill victories. Her "prize money" came in the form of free hotel lodging, plenty of handshakes and trophies, but no official appearances, prizes, endorsements or clothing allowance.
The day after earning her Wimbledon title Pauline was paid twelve dollars per day for room, board, and incidental expenses, and five dollars per diem by the Lawn Tennis Association for playing in Sweden.
In the '40s, tennis players got a stipend to compete. If Pauline were to "live it up" —such as buying a pair of tennis shoes—she might have had to sleep in the car that night to balance her tight budget. Dinner some nights was peanut butter and crackers.
In all, Pauline captured nineteen national titles, including playing in six consecutive U.S. Open finals, four U.S. Indoor titles, and winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles in tournaments in '41 and '43. This strawberry blonde's fierce competitive spirit is best exemplified by
her winning 48 straight points—a perfect match—in the Tri-state Championship final in '43. Pauline never made the big money, but she made the points! To her, that's all that really mattered.
In September of 1946 Pauline appeared on the cover of Time magazine. In her typical, self-effacing manner she noted, "Even my brother was impressed, if not slightly disillusioned, that his well-read Time should descend to a tennis player on the cover."
After winning Wimbledon, Pauline Betz-Addie became one of the first professional tennis players. Unquestionably, she had "paid her dues" in leading the way for other tennis professionals. When Pauline explored the possibility of a pro exhibition tour, she was suspended from the amateurs by the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association. In addition, she was banned from tennis and only allowed a hearing after the following Wimbledon and U.S. Open tournaments. The year was 1947, and triumph had become enmeshed with tragedy for a truly unique world champion.
As one of the first professional tennis players, Betz-Addie barnstormed the country along with the likes of Bobby Riggs, Don Budge, Jack Krammer, Poncho Segura, Gussy Moran and Sarah Palfrey Cooke. A typical week consisted of playing an exhibition in a school gym one night, then driving hundreds of miles to play another match at a country club the following afternoon.
Pauline's Midas touch crosses over to many pursuits. Whether she joins a World Champion ping-pong player at an exhibition, or is earning more bridge points, Ms. Addie long ago became a grand master at anything she set her mind to. Today, Pauline continues to play in club leagues with precision and consistency. She excels as a musician, practicing the flute and piano. If not playing sports or games, then sharpening her computer and accounting skills keep her busy.
Pauline savors the simple pleasures in life. She'll marvel over a new lamp in her bedroom as the greatest thing for days on end. Whether she is helping out her friends or driving a golf ball, Pauline follows her bliss.
In giving her best to the world, the best has been returned to her, both on and off the tennis court. She is a true champion; in form, heart, attitude and mind, a living example that tennis pro's, students, and fans will always treasure. Obstacles for Pauline are not barriers to overcome, but bridges connecting challenge with opportunity. This exceptional individual's truly inspiring mental perspective makes her a brilliant teacher and magnificent friend. Pauline's fierce desire to win is wonderfully balanced by her humility, diligence, and unselfishness. Through having confronted and overcome a lifetime of perils, this Pauline has truly become a pearl!
Rob Arner works with Pauline at Georgetown Visitation in D.C.
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