Penny Moor, WTA Co-Founder and Tennis Pioneer, Passes Away at 75

Born in Exeter on July 7, 1951, Moor's talent was recognized when a coach at a holiday tennis camp encouraged her to pursue the sport. After finishing boarding school, she moved to London to train with a national squad, joining peers like Corinne Molesworth and Jill Cooper.

Moor was a left-handed player known for her agility at the net. During a time when Virginia Wade reigned as the top British player, Moor accepted an invitation from promoter Gladys Heldman to partake in the Virginia Slims Circuit in 1972, seeing it as a pivotal opportunity for her career. In a 2023 interview with wtatennis.com, she explained, "I just didn’t receive the same kind of encouragement here. Gladys was just so positive, welcoming and protective. You can do it, come on out!"

Moor's journey in the United States involved unique experiences, including meeting Hollywood star John Wayne and promoting various sponsors. She was present at the WTA's founding meeting led by Billie Jean King at London’s Gloucester Hotel on June 21, 1973, a week before she advanced to the third round at Wimbledon, marking her best Grand Slam performance.

In 1974, Moor faced Chris Evert at Eastbourne following Evert’s first Grand Slam victory. Reflecting on the camaraderie and hospitality of the era, Moor noted the excitement of competing at that time compared to the pressures faced by modern players.

Despite breaking into the Top 100, Moor suffered a long-term knee injury at age 24, which altered her career trajectory. She retired from professional tennis in 1980 and moved to North Carolina, where for two decades, she promoted tennis events and worked as a coach.

Moor returned to England in 2000 to care for her mother and later ran a business specializing in antique furniture. She devoted significant time to mentoring youth through tennis, becoming a member of the Board of Trustees of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, which focuses on empowering disadvantaged youth.

Ann Austin, executive director of the WTA Foundation, recognized Moor’s commitment to using tennis for positive change. "She was rightly proud of her role as a founding member of the WTA, and the platform for positive change that is still so powerful all these years later," she stated.

Billie Jean King expressed sorrow over Moor’s passing, highlighting her contributions as both a player and mentor. "Penny stayed connected to tennis throughout her life, and her work with the Elena Baltacha Foundation and the WTA Foundation has opened doors for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy tennis as much as she did. She will be missed and always loved."

Moor, who married Geoff in 2005, continued to play tennis into her later years, remaining active and involved in the sport until her death.