She was a pioneer of women’s tennis, winning eight Australian championship titles and is about to be inducted into the Tennis Australia Hall of Fame.
But so little is known about Esna Boyd that Tennis Australia has launched an international appeal to her descendants for information on the mysterious champion.
From 1922 to 1928, Boyd competed in national and international matches alongside players such as Daphne Akhurst and Margaret Molesworth.
“She really is part of a group of talented and quite charismatic players,” said tennis author Michael Sexton.
Michael Sexton is a tennis author and has written books on the history of tennis. (Provided: Jack Marsh)
“At that time, most women involved in cricket made afternoon tea, whereas in tennis, women played.”
Australian tennis underwent a transformation in the early 1920s as it became more formalized, including allowing women to enter tournament draws.
The result was the first national titles ever won in 1922, called the Australian Championship, Mr Sexton said.
Championship winner
Boyd made seven consecutive finals, including Australia’s inaugural tournament, and won eight titles in total.
Claiming victories in four women’s doubles and three mixed doubles, the pinnacle of her career was her singles victory in 1927.
“Sylvia Harper took the first set away from her, the first set she lost all week, and that must have spurred her into action because she went on to win the second two sets,” Mr Sexton said.
“She kicked her off the field.“
Boyd also competed in the Australian women’s international team in 1925 and 1928, reaching the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles at Wimbledon in the latter.
“She’s a great forehand player,” Mr. Sexton said.
“When the ball hit his forehand, it was like ‘Kaboom’.”
Little is known about Esna Boyd’s life beyond her tennis championships. (Provided: National Library of Australia)
After Boyd’s success on Australian and international courts, little is known about her life after she stopped competing in championships.
She married a Scot, Angus Robertson, and moved to the United Kingdom in 1929, changing her surname.
“There is definitely a Robertson who will compete at Wimbledon in 1934,” Mr Sexton said.
“Then she won the Scottish hardcourt championships, I think, seven times.”
Mr Sexton believes her last match in Scotland was the final in 1939, meaning she had been competing and winning since 1918 as a schoolgirl for at least two decades.
“Pioneer spirit”
A century after his competitions, the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame welcomes Boyd, thus consolidating his place among the greats.
“Esna’s story, both on and off the court, reflects the pioneering spirit of the early days of Australian tennis,” said Australian Open Tournament Director and Chief Executive of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley.
Esna Boyd will be celebrated at the Australian Open. (ABC News: Simon Tucci)
“Esna Boyd was a pioneer of Australian tennis, whose incredible record of reaching seven consecutive Australian Championship singles finals from 1922 to 1928 set a standard of excellence and resilience.”
While little is known about Boyd, the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame issued a call for information ahead of a celebration at Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open in January.
“We are reaching out to the public to find Esna’s descendants, probably in Scotland, where she lived after her marriage, so they can help us share her story with the world,” Mr Tiley said.
It appears that Boyd died in the 1960s.
