Seniors Tennis GB is sorry to report the death at the age of 87 of Ruth Illingworth. Ruth was a key member of winning British teams at the ITF World Team Championships in the 60, 65, 70 and 75 age groups as well as achieving many successes in the Individual Championships. She was World No 1 at 70 having won the world singles championship in 2001 and in her international career had 107 wins and 26 losses in singles. Her main successes were in doubles when, with Rita Lauder, she won multiple titles from the age of 60 onwards.
Domestically, Ruth’s compact and efficient game brought singles successes at the Clay Court Championships in 1992 and 2003 and at the Grass Court Championships in 1996, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. She and Rita won nearly all of the doubles events they entered on grass from the 40 doubles in 1985 through to the 75s from 2007 to 2010.
Ruth received the European Player of the year award in her age group. She was also a great supporter of county tennis, representing Notts for many years and Kent in her latter years.
The photo shows Ruth Illingworth receiving the 2010 Veterans’ Player of the Year award from the then LTA President, Derek Howorth.