Casals, Rosemary (1948–)
Casals, Rosemary (1948–)
American tennis player. Name variations: Rosie Casals. Born Sept 16, 1948, in SanFrancisco, California; dau. of Manuel Casals y Bordas (San Salvadorian immigrant); grandniece of cellist Pablo Casals; never married.
With Billie Jean King, won numerous US titles as well as 5 Wimbledon titles; won singles crown at Wills Invitational tournament in New Zealand (1967) and reached the semifinals at US championships (1967, 1968); with King and others, threatened to boycott future tournaments unless there was more parity in prize money for women (1970); was one of the 1st woman players to sign a pro contract and join the pro tour (1968); went on to win more than 30 national titles, becoming one of the world's top money winners. Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame (1996).
See also Women in World History.