Newport (Rhode Island), June 24: Gladys Heldman, whose work in covering and promoting women's tennis helped pave the way for the start of the women's pro tour in the United States, has died. She was 81. Gladys died sunday at her home in New Mexico, the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced yesterday. Gladys became involved in tennis after her 1942 marriage to former US junior champion Julius Heldman. In 1953, she founded World Tennis magazine, and for over two decades, she was a leading promoter of women's tennis. She was elected to the hall of fame in 1979 for her work on behalf of the sport. In 1970, Gladys was the driving force behind the New Virginia slims circuit, which enabled women to compete in tournaments separate from men's events. She arranged for 14 tournaments with combined prize money totaling over $180,000. Gladys's two daughters, Trixie and Julie, held national junior rankings. Julie won the Italian Open in 1969 and was ranked as high as no. 5 in the world.

In addition to her husband and daughters, Gladys is survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bureau Report