One of Brazil’s greatest tennis players of all-time, Maria Bueno, has died at the age of 79 following a battle with cancer.
The former world No.1 was diagnosed with mouth cancer last year and the disease had since spread. Earlier this month, a hospital spokesperson confirmed that Bueno was no longer receiving chemotherapy, but was being treated with immunotherapy. Her death was confirmed on Friday morning. Her family has requested that no details concerning how she died be published.
Bueno earned the nickname ’tennis ballerina’ for her graceful play on the court. During her career, she established herself as one of South America’s greatest female players in the history of the sport. During the 1950s and 1960s Bueno won 19 grand slam titles. Seven in the singles, 11 in the doubles and one in the mixed doubles. For the Brazilian, her greatest achievement in a major occurred in 1959 when she clinched the Wimbledon title as a teenager. Becoming the first and so far only South American female player to win the title. During that same year, she was named Female Athlete of The Year by the Associated Press.
“Absolutely winning Wimbledon in 1959 was the greatest moment of my career. It was a bit unexpected as I was very young – 17 years old. Coming from Brazil where we had only clay courts, we didn’t have a chance to really play on grass, so winning the first time was huge and a big surprise.” She told wtatennis.com in 2016.
Despite her success, Bueno’s career was ended early due to elbow issues, which she blamed on the use of heavy wooden rackets at the time. She stopped playing competitively in 1968, but returned back to the tour again in the 1970s in what was a brief comeback.
Bueno officially retired from the sport in 1977, 19 years after she won her first grand slam title in the doubles. Just one year after she was elevated into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In recognition of her work in promoting tennis around the world. Bueno’s sporting ability and elegance was credited for putting Brazilian tennis on the map.
“For South America, she was a huge star, the biggest star there. I’m not sure if Gustavo Kuerten would have started playing tennis were it not for Maria Bueno. She affected not just her generation but future generations, as well, and again made tennis more international which is always a good thing.” Martina Navratilova said about Bueno in 2015.
Bueno continued playing tennis until last year.
The tennis community mourns the loss of a great
Players and officials from around the world of sport have paid tribute to Bueno following the news of her death. Billie Jean King, who founded the WTA Tour, claimed the 1965 Wimbledon doubles title alongside the Brazilian. A Year later she lost to Bueno in the singles final at SW19.
Rest in Peace, Maria Bueno. pic.twitter.com/fp2nqAE2Ii
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 9, 2018
Former world No.21 Thomaz Bellucci also paid tribute. Naming her a ‘pioneer’ in the sport.
“She was a pioneer in our country, where few people knew the sport and at a time when everything was much more difficult,” said Bellucci.
Two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin described Bueno as an ‘Elegant and classy’ player in her tribute on Twitter.
“So sad to hear about the passing of the graceful and athletic Maria Bueno. The elegant and classy champion will certainly be missed in the tennis family.” She wrote.
Finally, world No.12 doubles player Bruno Soares posted his own tribute on Instagram with the word ‘Obrigado’ (thank-you in Portuguese).
https://twitter.com/BrunoSoares82/status/1005226477447569408
