She is the most successful player in the history of the US Open and remains the only player from her country to win a Grand Slam

Follow us on Google Discover

The US Open is one of the sport’s four biggest tournaments as players from around the world battle it out for glory in New York.

When the stars of the WTA Tour travel to Flushing Meadows, fans anticipate thrilling action from the best in women’s tennis.

In 2024, Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 7-5, to clinch her first title on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

American legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams are tied for the most US Open victories at six, more than any other player in the Open Era.

One player has more titles than both Evert and Williams, however, thanks to her efforts 100 years ago.

Molla Bjurstedt Mallory: The most successful player in the history of the US Open

Between 1887 and 1914, players from just two nations had won the US National Championships (US Open), Great Britain and the United States.

That all changed in 1915, as Norway’s Molla Bjurstedt broke through to win her first Slam, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• 1915 US National Championships F – Molla Bjurstedt beat Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
• 1915 US National Championships SF – Molla Bjurstedt beat Martha Guthrie, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
• 1915 US National Championships QF – Molla Bjurstedt beat Ann Sheafe, 10-8, 6-2

Bjurstedt had already made history three years earlier, becoming the first Norwegian woman to participate in the Olympic Games, securing bronze in Stockholm.

She was well known as a fierce competitor, breaking her opponents down in long rallies from the baseline.

The Norwegian defended her US National Championships crown in 1916, 1917, and 1918, asserting her dominance as one of the best players in the women’s game.

Her victory in 1918 was her last as a Norwegian, as she gained American citizenship after marrying stockbroker Franklin Mallory in 1919.

No Norwegian player has won a Grand Slam since, although world number ten Casper Ruud has reached three Major finals on the men’s side.

Bouncing back from a shock defeat in 1919, Molla Mallory returned with a vengeance in 1920 to kick off the decade with three more titles.

Entering the latter stages of her career, Mallory began to struggle before picking up one final US National Championship title in 1926 at the age of 42.

Finishing with a tally of eight, Mallory remains the most successful player, male or female, in US National Championships/US Open history.

Mallory’s record may well stand the test of time, as will another record she holds, which may be even harder to top.

Molla Mallory lost the shortest-ever Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 1922

The American made just her fourth trip to Wimbledon in 1922, reaching her first Major final outside of the United States.

There, she met French star Suzanne Lenglen, who was the three-time defending champion at the All England Club.

Lenglen dismantled Mallory in just 26 minutes, 6-2, 6-0, the shortest recorded Grand Slam final in tennis history.

The result saw the continuation of one of the greatest feuds women’s tennis has ever seen.

One year earlier, Lenglen had retired from her US National Championship’s second-round match with Mallory citing illness as a reason for her withdrawal.

Some questioned whether the true reason behind Lenglen’s withdrawal was the scoreline, as the Frenchwoman trailed 2-6, 0-40 when she called it quits.

After beating Mallory in the Wimbledon final, the pair reportedly exchanged words, the accuracy of which is disputed to this day.

“Now, Mrs. Mallory, I have proved to you today what I could have done to you in New York last year,” said Lenglen according to reports.

“[Suzanne] Lenglen, you have done to me today what I did to you in New York last year; you have beaten me,” was Mallory’s supposed reply.

We’ll likely never know the exact words that were uttered 103 years ago at SW19, but what can be said for certain is that the pair left a long-lasting impression on the game of tennis.