Winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, Darlene R. Hard (b.1936) was the last of the great amateur players. She learned the game on public courts in Southern California, coached by her mother, Ruth. Already a touring champion when she entered Pomona College in 1957, Hard played in the first national intercollegiate tournament for women the following year, claiming the singles title.

Hard’s aggressive serve-and-volley game made her nearly unstoppable in doubles. She won 19 major doubles championships with 10 different partners – including a rousing comeback with Francoise Durr at the 1969 U.S. Open.

A professional instructor and active volunteer until 1981 when she joined the administrative staff at USC, Hard never regretted her amateur playing status. “We played for the title and the glory of the game. I loved it. I love tennis.”