Tennis News From California • MAUREEN CONNOLLY And Ben Press DEDICATION

Photographer unknown

Editor’s note: We spoke to Julie Heldman. She said her mother Gladys had planned to put Maureen Connolly on the first issue of WORLD TENNIS on the cover in 1953, but then Bill Tilden passed away so he was put on the first issue.

“Little Mo and Big Ben”

Two of San Diego’s most beloved tennis legends to be honored

Longtime teaching pro Ben “Big Ben” Press and three-time Wimbledon champion Maureen, “Little Mo” Connolly, childhood friends who grew up together in North Park, will be honored posthumously by local tennis enthusiasts with a public dedication ceremony at Balboa Park’s Balboa Tennis Club (2221 Morley Field Dr.), Sunday, October 20, 1 PM to 3 PM.

Co-presented by the Greater San Diego City Tennis Council and the Balboa Tennis Club, the event will officially dedicate the newly constructed Press Family Tennis Pavilion, a covered tournament desk area, located adjacent to the tennis complex’s pro shop.

The Press Family Tennis Pavilion has been erected to honor the memory of Pauline and Charles Press who gave their son Ben a gift of tennis. Press Family members and long-time friends from the tennis community generously donated funds to help realize Ben’s wish to thank his parents.

Artfully designed on a volunteer bases by Janene Christopher, a San Diego based architect who also serves as president of the Balboa Tennis Club, the permanent wood and metal ornamental shade structure features small circular rays of light shining through the airy outlines of tennis balls.

In addition, attribute featuring about Maureen Connolly Brinker Tribute Wall and Walkway, a permanent and spectacular 6 foot concrete panel supported within a large wooden structure. This Tribute Wall and Walkway will feature a life-size photograph of “Little Mo” with her career and personal highlights listed to the immediate right of the photo within the panel. This sculpture tribute will be located directly adjacent to the Press Family Tennis Pavilion.

Ben Press

Throughout his playing and teaching career, Ben Press’ name was synonymous with tennis in San Diego County for nearly 75 years. He was a widely admired for his many accomplishments as a ranked player, respected coach and the esteemed chair umpire. Known fondly as,”Big Ben,” the diminutive Press mentored numerous national and regional champions, and championed the old game of tennis all his life. He died in 2017 at the age 92.

Maureen Connolly

Known as”Little Mo,” Maureen Connolly was born in San Diego and went on to win a total of nine Grand Slams singles titles in the early 1950s, including Wimbledon in 1952, 1953 and 1954. In 1953, at age 18, she became the first woman, and still the only American woman to date, to win all four Grand Slam tournaments during a calendar year. The following year, in July 1954, she seriously injured her right leg any horseback riding accident that eventually ended her competitive tennis career when she was only 19. She died of cancer in 1969 at age 34.