Feature Articles

What is it about Torbay and tennis players? Well, actually, it's not a co-incidence that the resort has helped to create most of the few stars Britain has had in the past few decades.

The reason was one man: Arthur Roberts. He was the tennis coach based at the indoor court at the Palace Hotel, Torquay.

He produced the likes of Mike Sangster, Sue Barker, and, of course Angela Mortimer.

Anglela Mortimer was born in Plymouth in 1932 and won three grand slams.

Angela Mortimer (right) and Christine Truman

She was the French Open champion in 1955, the Australian Open winner in 1958, and then she won Wimbledon in 1961.

What made the 1961 final all the more amazing was that the woman she beat was also British - Christine Truman (now Christine Janes).

Angela came from behind to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. That year, she was named British Sportswoman of the Year.

As well as her singles titles, Angela also won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1955, teaming up with Anne Shilcock.

Angela - who married BBC sports commentator John Barrett - was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993.