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	{{short description\|American tennis player and magazine publisher}}		{{short description\|American tennis player and magazine publisher}}
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⚫	'''Gladys Medalie Heldman''' (May 13, 1922 – June 22, 2003) was an American tennis player and magazine publisher. She was the founder of '']'' magazine; she supported ] and eight other female tennis players: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. They were called the Houston Nine and formed the ] Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's ]). She is a member of the ] and the ].
			{{Infobox person
			\| name = Gladys Heldman
			\| image =
			\| alt =
			\| caption =
			\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1922\|05\|13}}
			\| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.
			\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2003\|06\|22\|1922\|05\|13}}
			\| death_place = ], U.S.
			\| education =
			\| known_for = Founder of ''World Tennis'' magazine
			\| father = ]
			\| spouse = ]
			\| children = 2, including ]
			}}
		⚫	'''Gladys Medalie Heldman''' (May 13, 1922 – June 22, 2003) was an American tennis player, manager and magazine publisher. She was the founder of ''World Tennis'' magazine. As a manager, she supported and represented ] and eight other female tennis players: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. They were called the Houston Nine and formed the ] Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's ]). She is a member of the ] and the ].

	==Background==		==Background==
	Heldman, the daughter of ] judge ], was born in New York City on May 13, 1922, and first became interested in tennis after marrying ], the ~~left-handed ]~~ in 1936. Gladys started playing tennis after her two daughters were born~~, Carrie Heldman and ], had National Junior Rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No~~. ~~5 in the World). While born in New York City,~~ Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in ], as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at ] in 1954 and also competed in the ] at ].		Heldman, the daughter of ] judge ], was born in New York City on May 13, 1922, and first became interested in tennis after marrying ], the United States Junior Champion of 1936. Gladys started playing tennis in 1946 after her two daughters were born. Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in ], as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at ] in 1954 and also competed in the ] at ]. Her daughters, Carrie and ], had National Junior Rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the World.{{cn\|date=August 2024}}

	She was a graduate of ] and a ]. Her two daughters went to Stanford as well. Gladys died in ] on June 22, 2003, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after she had been suffering from a heart condition.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-26-me-heldman26-story.html\|title=Gladys Heldman, 81; Recognized for Her Pivotal Role in Boosting Women's Tennis\|date=June 26, 2003\|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.drivenadaughtersodyssey.com/\|title=DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman\|website=DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman}}</ref>		She was a graduate of ] and a ]. Her two daughters went to Stanford as well. Gladys Heldman died at her home in ] on June 22, 2003, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after she had been suffering from a terminal heart condition at age 81.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-26-me-heldman26-story.html\|title=Gladys Heldman, 81; Recognized for Her Pivotal Role in Boosting Women's Tennis\|date=June 26, 2003\|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.drivenadaughtersodyssey.com/\|title=DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman\|website=DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman}}</ref>

	==''World Tennis'' magazine==		==''World Tennis'' magazine==
	Gladys Heldman is best known for founding '']'' magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players received less prize money than their male counterparts, e.g. in 1968, the women's champion received £750, while the men's received £2000.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Cochrane\|first1=Kira\|title=Billie Jean King: 'It's not about the money. It's about the equality message'\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jun/23/billie-jean-king-equality-message\|accessdate=22 November 2017\|agency=The Guardian\|date=23 June 2013}}</ref> Following the Pacific Southwest Championships's decision in September 1970 to pay male players eight times more money, with Gladys' organization, top players, including ], ], and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Lincoln\|first1=Adam\|title=Gladys Heldman's trailblazing contribution to women's tennis is remembered in the film 'Battle of the Sexes', in which Sarah Silverman portrays her\|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/there-wouldnt-be-professional-womens-tennis-without-her-gladys-heldman-story\|website=WTA Tennis\|accessdate=22 November 2017}}</ref> With backing from ] of ], the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first ] Circuit tournament in ] in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the ], the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USLTA.		Gladys Heldman is best known for founding ''World Tennis'' magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players received less prize money than their male counterparts, e.g. in 1968, the women's champion received £750, while the men's received £2000.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Cochrane\|first1=Kira\|title=Billie Jean King: 'It's not about the money. It's about the equality message'\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jun/23/billie-jean-king-equality-message\|accessdate=22 November 2017\|agency=The Guardian\|date=23 June 2013}}</ref> Following the Pacific Southwest Championships's decision in September 1970 to pay male players eight times more money, with Gladys' organization, top players, including ], ], and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Lincoln\|first1=Adam\|title=Gladys Heldman's trailblazing contribution to women's tennis is remembered in the film 'Battle of the Sexes', in which Sarah Silverman portrays her\|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/there-wouldnt-be-professional-womens-tennis-without-her-gladys-heldman-story\|website=WTA Tennis\|accessdate=22 November 2017}}</ref> With backing from ] of ], the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first ] Circuit tournament in ] in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the ], the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USLTA.{{cn\|date=August 2024}}

	Heldman sold her magazine to ] in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle 1970s.		Heldman sold her magazine to ] in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle 1970s.{{cn\|date=August 2024}}

	Heldman was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979,<ref>{{cite web \|title=Gladys Heldman \|url=https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/gladys-heldman \|website=]}}</ref> Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988, ] Women's Hall of Fame in 1998,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://itahalloffame.org/inductees/gladys-m-heldman/ \|title=Gladys M. Heldman \|publisher=ITA Women's Hall of Fame \|accessdate=2015-12-12}}</ref> and ] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/GladysHeldman.htm\|title=Gladys Heldman\|website=www.jewishsports.net}}</ref>		Heldman was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979,<ref>{{cite web \|title=Gladys Heldman \|url=https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/gladys-heldman \|website=]}}</ref> Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988, ] Women's Hall of Fame in 1998,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://itahalloffame.org/inductees/gladys-m-heldman/ \|title=Gladys M. Heldman \|publisher=ITA Women's Hall of Fame \|accessdate=2015-12-12}}</ref> and ] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/GladysHeldman.htm\|title=Gladys Heldman\|website=www.jewishsports.net}}</ref>
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Latest revision as of 22:21, 18 August 2024

American tennis player and magazine publisher

Gladys Heldman
Born	(1922-05-13)May 13, 1922 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	June 22, 2003(2003-06-22) (aged 81) Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Known for	Founder of World Tennis magazine
Spouse	Julius Heldman
Children	2, including Julie
Father	George Z. Medalie

Gladys Medalie Heldman (May 13, 1922 – June 22, 2003) was an American tennis player, manager and magazine publisher. She was the founder of World Tennis magazine. As a manager, she supported and represented Billie Jean King and eight other female tennis players: Rosie Casals, Judy Dalton, Julie Heldman, Kerry Melville, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, and Valerie Ziegenfuss. They were called the Houston Nine and formed the Virginia Slims Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's WTA Tour). She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Background

Heldman, the daughter of New York Court of Appeals judge George Z. Medalie, was born in New York City on May 13, 1922, and first became interested in tennis after marrying Julius Heldman, the United States Junior Champion of 1936. Gladys started playing tennis in 1946 after her two daughters were born. Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in Texas, as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at Wimbledon in 1954 and also competed in the U.S. Championships at Forest Hills. Her daughters, Carrie and Julie Heldman, had National Junior Rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the World.

She was a graduate of Stanford University and a Phi Beta Kappa. Her two daughters went to Stanford as well. Gladys Heldman died at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 22, 2003, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after she had been suffering from a terminal heart condition at age 81.

World Tennis magazine

Gladys Heldman is best known for founding World Tennis magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players received less prize money than their male counterparts, e.g. in 1968, the women's champion received £750, while the men's received £2000. Following the Pacific Southwest Championships's decision in September 1970 to pay male players eight times more money, with Gladys' organization, top players, including Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour. With backing from Joe Cullman of Philip Morris, the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first Virginia Slims Circuit tournament in Houston in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the USLTA, the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USLTA.

Heldman sold her magazine to CBS Publications in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle 1970s.

Heldman was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979, Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988, ITA Women's Hall of Fame in 1998, and International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Portrayal in film

Sarah Silverman plays Heldman in the 2017 movie Battle of the Sexes.

References

"Gladys Heldman, 81; Recognized for Her Pivotal Role in Boosting Women's Tennis". Los Angeles Times. June 26, 2003.
"DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman". DRIVEN: A DAUGHTER'S ODYSSEY by Julie Heldman.
Cochrane, Kira (June 23, 2013). "Billie Jean King: 'It's not about the money. It's about the equality message'". The Guardian. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
Lincoln, Adam. "Gladys Heldman's trailblazing contribution to women's tennis is remembered in the film 'Battle of the Sexes', in which Sarah Silverman portrays her". WTA Tennis. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
"Gladys Heldman". International Tennis Hall of Fame.
"Gladys M. Heldman". ITA Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
"Gladys Heldman". www.jewishsports.net.
Hipes, Patrick (March 23, 2016). "Sarah Silverman A Match For 'Battle Of The Sexes'". Deadline. Retrieved March 25, 2016.

External links

Gladys Heldman at the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Men

Master players	Manuel Alonso Areizaga James Anderson Mal Anderson Bunny Austin Wilfred Baddeley Jean Borotra John Bromwich Norman Brookes Jacques Brugnon Clarence Clark Henri Cochet Ashley Cooper Jim Courier Jack Crawford Owen Davidson Sven Davidson Jaroslav Drobný Neale Fraser Chuck Garland Andrés Gimeno Arthur Gore Bryan Grant Lew Hoad Harry Hopman Frederick Hovey Karel Koželuh René Lacoste Herbert Lawford Gene Mako Ken McGregor Robert Lindley Murray Hans Nüsslein Alex Olmedo Manuel Orantes Gerald Patterson Theodore Pell Fred Perry Adrian Quist Ernest Renshaw William Renshaw Mervyn Rose Frank Sedgman Pancho Segura Gottfried von Cramm Anthony Wilding
Players	Fred Alexander Wilmer Allison Karl Behr Don Budge Oliver Campbell Malcolm Greene Chace Joseph Clark William Clothier Dwight F. Davis John Doeg Laurence Doherty Reginald Doherty James Dwight Bob Falkenburg Pancho Gonzales Harold Hackett Joe Hunt Francis Hunter Bill Johnston Jack Kramer William Larned Art Larsen George Lott Maurice McLoughlin Frank Parker Vincent Richards Bobby Riggs Ted Schroeder Richard Sears Frank Shields Henry Slocum Bill Talbert Bill Tilden John Van Ryn Ellsworth Vines Holcombe Ward Watson Washburn Malcolm Whitman R. Norris Williams Sidney Wood Robert Wrenn Beals Wright
Recent players	Andre Agassi Arthur Ashe Boris Becker Björn Borg Michael Chang Jimmy Connors Rick Draney Stefan Edberg Roy Emerson David Hall Lleyton Hewitt Yevgeny Kafelnikov Jan Kodeš Gustavo Kuerten Goran Ivanišević Rod Laver Ivan Lendl John McEnroe Chuck McKinley Frew McMillan Don McNeill Gardnar Mulloy Ilie Năstase John Newcombe Yannick Noah Rafael Osuna Leander Paes Budge Patty Nicola Pietrangeli Pat Rafter Dennis Ralston Tony Roche Andy Roddick Ken Rosewall Marat Safin Pete Sampras Manuel Santana Dick Savitt Vic Seixas Stan Smith Randy Snow Michael Stich Fred Stolle Tony Trabert Guillermo Vilas Mats Wilander Todd Woodbridge Mark Woodforde
Court tennis players	Pierre Etchebaster Tom Pettitt

Women

Master players	Daphne Akhurst Blanche Bingley Dorothy Bundy Cheney Charlotte Cooper Thelma Coyne Long Françoise Dürr Marion Jones Farquhar Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling Suzanne Lenglen Simonne Mathieu Kathleen McKane Godfree Elisabeth Moore Angela Mortimer Betty Nuthall Nancy Richey Ellen Roosevelt Dorothy Round Elizabeth Ryan Margaret Scriven Eleonora Sears Bertha Townsend Lesley Turner Bowrey Marie Wagner Nancye Wynne Bolton
Players	Juliette Atkinson Maud Barger-Wallach Pauline Betz Molla Bjurstedt Mallory Louise Brough Mary Browne Mabel Cahill Maureen Connolly Lottie Dod Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers Shirley Fry Althea Gibson Ellen Hansell Darlene Hard Doris Hart Ann Haydon Jones Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman Helen Hull Jacobs Alice Marble Sarah Palfrey Cooke Helen Wills
Recent players	Tracy Austin Maria Bueno Jennifer Capriati Rosemary Casals Kim Clijsters Lindsay Davenport Chris Evert Gigi Fernández Evonne Goolagong Cawley Steffi Graf Justine Henin Martina Hingis Billie Jean King Monique Kalkman-Van Den Bosch Li Na Hana Mandlíková Conchita Martínez Amélie Mauresmo Martina Navratilova Jana Novotná Margaret Osborne duPont Mary Pierce Gabriela Sabatini Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Monica Seles Pam Shriver Margaret Smith Court Helena Suková May Sutton Chantal Vandierendonck Esther Vergeer Virginia Wade Natasha Zvereva

Contributors

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