11 Facts About Ellen Hansell

Ellen Forde Hansell Allerdice was an American female tennis player.

Ellen Hansell was the first women's singles champion of the US Championships in 1887.

Ellen Hansell was a losing finalist to Bertha Townsend the next year.

Ellen Hansell battled anemia as a child and started playing tennis on the advice of her doctor.

In 1887, Ellen Hansell took part in the inaugural US Women's National Singles Championship.

Ellen Hansell was one of seven contestants who came from the greater Delaware Valley area.

The final against Laura Knight was a one-sided affair, which Ellen Hansell won in straight sets to become the first US women's champion.

Ellen Hansell played Bertha Townsend, who had won the all-comer's event against Marion Wright in the final, and Townsend won the match in straight sets.

Ellen Hansell did not win another tournament and retired from the game in 1890.

Ellen Hansell married Taylor Allerdice, and the couple had six children.

Ellen Hansell was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1965.