“Little Mo” Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Maureen Connolly’s Grand Slam Win
With the U.S. Open in full gear, it’s great to look back at the history of the tournament and all the amazing champions that have come before. And in 2023, it provides a perfect opportunity to honor the 70th anniversary of one of the sport’s most incredible accomplishments: Maureen Connolly’s Calendar Grand Slam in 1953.
In the early 1950s, Connolly dominated women’s tennis. She was ranked No. 1 between 1952-1954, and was named the Women Athlete of the Year for the three years between 1951-1953. In that 1953 season, at the ripe age of 18-years-old, Connolly won all four Grand Slam events, a run that culminated here in New York with her triumph at the U.S. Open.
“She was the first woman and still the only American female to achieve this amazing distinction,” said Cindy Brinker Simmons, Connolly’s daughter and the President of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation. “The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is so proud to celebrate this important 70-year milestone of Mom’s calendar Grand Slam victory which, in turn, has tremendously inspired the talented boys and girls who compete in the “Little Mo” tournaments. So many of these gifted young competitors will be future champions and hope to follow in “Little Mo’s” footsteps as both a great player and an outstanding role model.”
The legacy of “Little Mo”, Connolly’s nickname, lives on through the foundation she founded in 1968. As a teenager she dominated the world of tennis, and after her career was cut short due to an injury, she had dreams of helping to pioneer the development of junior tennis, and she created the foundation with her dear friend Nancy Jeffett. Sadly, Connolly would pass away from cancer a year after starting the foundation, but thanks to her daughter and all the great work done by the MCB Foundation, her positive effect on the world of tennis remains to this day.
“Today, Mom’s impact on tennis continues through MCB and the generations of players who respect and applaud her contributions on and off the tennis court,” Simmons added. 
Connolly was known for the humility, grace and sportsmanship she displayed both on and off the court, traits that are exemplified by the players who compete in the “Little Mo” tournaments that are played each year. While the competition is intense during these events that take place all across the country, sportsmanship is at the core of its mission, and the foundation rewards players for displaying those qualities, as Simmons explains:
“My mom had an extraordinary tennis record, but what is as important to treasure about her was that she was so humble, kind and selfless,” she said. “She was dedicated to investing in the lives of others, and that passion of making a difference propelled her to establish her foundation, which not only has highly competitive “Little Mo” tournaments, but emphasizes the attributes of good sportsmanship, fair play, gratitude and giving back. Mom would absolutely love MCB’s focus on strong character and moral values. Mom was a remarkable woman who just happened to be a very good tennis player, and I think she would like to be remembered that way.”
That legacy and remembrance will be on display as we close out the summer, with our region hosting two of the premier “Little Mo” events. First, the West Orange Tennis Club in West Orange, N.J. will host the “Little Mo” Internationals from August 20-24, the second leg of the “Little Mo” Slam. The winners of all three International events will win the tallest trophy in junior tennis–six feet tall!
When the calendar changes from August to September, the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx will host the “Little Mo” North Regionals from September 3-5. The top four finishers in each age division at the Regionals advance to the “Little Mo” Nationals in Austin, Texas from September 22-25.
This year’s events have already been successful, and the foundation expects to have a great showing at this year’s events in the Northeast while paying tribute to its namesake.
“For all “Little Mo” tournaments, Wilson Sporting Goods has added the 70th anniversary logo to the balls so all players will be playing with the commemorative ball,” said Carol Weyman, MCB Foundation’s Executive Vice President. “Also, we have 70th anniversary bag tags and cups for players as well. At the player party, we will be celebrating with our 70th anniversary-themed cupcakes and balloons. We have had a wonderful year so far with our player numbers doubling so far at our events.”
It is fitting that the North Regionals and Internationals will be played in the Metropolitan area while the best players in the world are also in town competing in the U.S. Open, the tournament that concluded Connolly’s incredible Calendar Grand Slam 70 years ago. As the foundation honors this feat and Connolly’s legacy and impact on the sport, the next generation of tennis players will be competing against one another, and doing so in a respectful and sportsmanlike way.
“It is a great event for players because they can play the Regionals during the day and then they can watch the pros at the U.S. Open in the evening,” added Weyman. “It’s a win-win for the players. Many players such a Andy Roddick, Coco Gauff, Leylah Fernandez, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys competed in the “Little Mo” tournaments when they were kids. Who will be the next rising “Little Mo” stars?”
To learn more about the MCB Foundation and the “Little Mo tournaments, or to find out how to register, visit MCBTennis.org or call (214) 754-7065.
