1950-1954

Highlights

1950

The previous year’s losing finalist Budge Patty goes one better this time around, with the American defeating Jaroslav Drobny in the final in five sets to record his first win over the Czech since 1947. The United States make it a men’s / women’s singles “double” once again with Doris Hart also taking the title. 

1951

Czech Jaroslav Drobny finally wins the title in his fourth final. The men’s doubles is won by Frank Sedgman and Ken McGregor of Australia, who will go on to complete the first ever Grand Slam in that event. On the women’s side, Shirley Fry defeats fellow American Doris Hart in a three-set final. 

1952

The men’s singles is won for the second year in a row by Jaroslav Drobny, who takes down world No.1 Franck Sedgman from Australia in the final. Two years after her first title at the Porte d’Auteuil, Doris Hart gets her revenge on Shirley Fry in a remake of the previous year’s championship match. 

1953

A new generation comes of age in 1953. At the tender age of 18 years and seven months, Australia’s Ken Rosewall becomes the youngest men’s singles winner of the Open, while USA’s Maureen Connolly, aged 18 years and eight months, becomes the youngest winner of the women’s singles, en route to the first ever women’s Grand Slam. A junior girls’ Roland-Garros is held for the first time, with France’s Christine Brunon taking the inaugural title. 

1954

In the women’s singles, Maureen Connolly takes the trophy for the second year in a row, this time at the expense of France’s Ginette Bucaille. Tony Trabert meanwhile takes out Arthur Larsen in the men’s final.