| William Tatem Tilden II was born on February 10, 1893 | | | | had been a weak point in his game. One can see that |
| in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. William would later take on | | | | this was effective by the success that followed these |
| the nickname "Big Bill" and become one of the | | | | efforts. |
| greatest tennis players of all time. Things were not | | | | Tilden's career began to take flight. From 1920-1925 he |
| always wonderful for Big Bill from the beginning though. | | | | won the U.S. Singles Tennis Championships each year, |
| He went through many heartaches, trials, and struggles | | | | a record that he still holds today and went on to win it |
| on his path towards becoming one of the greatest | | | | seven times total in his career. He also went to |
| athletes of the early 20th century. | | | | England to play in Wimbledon and won three times |
| Bill Tilden was born to a family that was plagued with | | | | there out of 6 attempts. He was the first American |
| the death of three of his older siblings. The struggles of | | | | ever to win at Wimbledon. |
| his life did not continue here however. When he was | | | | Tilden was known for one of the most powerful |
| just 15 years old his mother passed away and a short | | | | serves in history. He was rumored to have hit a serve |
| 4 years later his father followed in passing away. With | | | | at 163 miles per hour. This number is even higher than |
| the death of his parents and siblings he was alone. | | | | the modern record recorded by radar. This would be |
| This begun a life of struggle for Tilden and he spent | | | | an incredible feat considering he was using a wooden |
| the majority of his life living with his Aunt. | | | | racquet that lacks in power in comparison to the |
| Tilden's tennis career did not start off so well either. He | | | | racquets used by players today. Though his serve |
| was never a star tennis player in his prep school and | | | | could force weak returns, he never played much at |
| wasn't a good enough player to make his team in | | | | the net, but rather preferred to play in the back court. |
| college. Despite these setbacks he was dedicated to | | | | Tilden's tennis career extended into his 40's even |
| becoming a tennis player. He dropped out of college | | | | though he was a heavy smoker and paid little attention |
| and began working on his tennis game, seeking to | | | | to health. In 1953 he passed away at age 60. |
| become a star. | | | | Tilden held the No. 1 ranking in the world for tennis |
| Tilden began by practicing hitting against a backboard. | | | | players for seven years and dominated the tennis |
| Over time he won a few Canadian Doubles titles and | | | | scene in the 1920's. An AP poll named him the |
| began to move up the rankings. In 1919-1920 he moved | | | | greatest player of the first half of the 20th century |
| to Rhode Island near an indoor tennis court. On this | | | | which is recognized by Professional Tennis Players |
| court he sought to perfect his backhand shot, which | | | | from all around. |