Maria Alexandru, the look on her face reflecting her determination to succeed
Born on 30th December 1939, Romania’s Maria Alexandru, for many years a member of the Swaythling Club International, passed away on Wednesday 27th November 2024; she was 84 years old.
Richard Scruton, Swaythling Club Treasurer, paid tribute.
A truly iconic player of the 1960s and 1970s: three times World doubles champion with three different partners – 1961 (Georgeta Pitică), 1973 (Miho Hamada), 1975 (Shoko Takahashi).
World women’s singles runner up in 1963, World mixed doubles runner up with Anton Stipancic in 1971; European women’s singles champion at London Wembley in 1966, European women’s doubles champion in 1960 (Angelica Rozeanu) and 1978 (Liana Mihut), six times English Open women’s singles champion, twice European Youth girl’s singles champion, 1956 and 1958.
Overall, six World finals, three gold and three silver.
I umpired her (doubles) at EC Duisburg 1978 – once seen, never forgotten.
Note: A tribute will be published in the January 2025 (issue no.118) of the Swaythling magazine.