Baba Lewis Explained

Baba Lewis
Fullname:Mercedes Johnson Lewis
(nee Madden)
Birth Date:27 April 1920
Height:5 ft 2 in
Plays:Right-handed
Frenchopenresult:3R (1954)
Wimbledonresult:4R (1953)
Usopenresult:QF (1952)
Frenchopendoublesresult:QF (1954)

Mercedes Johnson Madden "Baba" Lewis (April 27, 1920 — September 23, 1998) was an American tennis player.

Lewis, a quick and nimble player, was a native of Massachusetts who was active on tour in the 1940s and 1950s.[1] She twice won the singles title at the Canadian Championships, including in 1946 when her then husband Morey Lewis was champion in the men's singles.[2] In 1952 she made the singles quarter-finals of the U.S. National Championships, losing to Shirley Fry.[3] She attained her top national ranking of eight in 1952.[4] In addition to tennis she was also nationally ranked in the sport of squash and was the top ranked player in New England for several years.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Lewis a loss to tennis . . September 25, 1998.
  2. News: U.S. Star Defeat McDiarmid In Four-Set Singles Final . . July 29, 1946.
  3. News: Mulloy Wins, Savitt Beaten In Tennis Meet . . September 6, 1952.
  4. News: Little Mo Tops National Net Rankings . . December 15, 1952.
  5. News: Lights or no lights, Baba makes the shots . The Boston Globe . June 28, 1973.