To Know My Friend Gussy

Written by: Staff on 18th January 2013

To Know My Friend Gussy |

By Jack Neworth

Gertrude “Gussy” Augusta Moran, a much beloved tennis star of the 1950’s known around the world as “Gorgeous Gussy,” passed away peacefully in her sleep in her Los Angeles apartment in the evening of January 16. Gussy had recently spent 11 days in the hospital before being discharged home where she received around the clock care. Gussy was 89.

Born in Santa Monica, was a long-legged athletic youth full of spirit and charm. She was raised in a classic Victorian house built by her grandfather in 1870, more than decade before Santa Monica became a city. Living across from the beach, Gussy experienced an idyllic Southern California childhood full of adventure. A graduate of Santa Monica High School, she excelled in school and athletics.

Gussy’s father was a technician at Universal Studios and young Gussy worked as an extra in a few movies. Her tennis group frequently enjoyed Sunday soirees at Charlie Chaplin’s mansion which included playing tennis on Chaplin’s private court. Years later when Gussy got engaged, Chaplin hosted a party in her honor.

As so many did, Gussy’s family suffered tragedy during WW2 when her older brother was declared missing in action. Devastated by the news, Gussy soon went to work at the nearby Douglas Aircraft Company, helping to assemble airplanes for the war effort. She also joined USO tours to California hospitals and military bases.

All the while Gussy continued to play top flight tennis and gain national attention. (Her highest U.S. national ranking was #4.) She also excelled in doubles and mixed doubles and, in 1947, won a national title with Pancho Segura. Gussy also won a national indoors championship with Pancho Gonzalez. (Both Panchos would go on to become Hall of Fame players.)

In 1949 Gussy won national titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. But it was at Wimbledon of that year 1949 that, for good or ill, Gussy’s name became known worldwide and where she was dubbed “Gorgeous Gussy.”

In preparation for her appearance at Wimbledon, via letters, Gussy had been communicating with famed English fashion designer Teddy Tinling. She was hoping her outfit could include a different color for each sleeve and a third color for the dress. But the All England club only permitted white so Tinling designed a dress that complied with the rule but would create an international firestorm of controversy.

Gussy’s outfit, a short tennis dress with ruffled, lace-trimmed knickers, showed off her gorgeous long legs. But it was also short enough for her knickers to be visible during the match, a first for any tournament anywhere. Reporters began calling her “Gorgeous Gussy”, and photographers fought for positions where they could get low shots of Moran, with the hope of glimpsing the lace. The event scandalized the overly-proper Wimbledon officials, even prompting a debate in Parliament.

Such was the attention that a ship, a play and a racehorse would all be named after Gussy. For her part, Gussy wasn’t comfortable with all the attention and yet she was stuck with it. Decades later those lace panties would become part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, R.I.

Because of all the fame, Gussy was offered a lucrative professional contract by Jack Kramer, which in retrospect, she might have been better off not taking. Gussy was matched on tour against Pauline Betz, whom Kramer would call the “second best women’s tennis player ever.” Kramer would later comment about Gussy had she waited a few years she would have been able to better handle all the pressure.

Though Gussy did win matches, Betz dominated the tour. And fans, especially of the male gender, flocked to the matches to see “Gorgeous Gussy.” Gussy would later lament, “They were expecting to see Rita Hayworth in a tennis skirt.”

In the last year of her life, I had the privilege of chatting on the phone and exchanging letters with Gussy. She was uncommonly intelligent, charming, full of life and had the most wonderful stories of her youth giving me insight into a romantic bygone era. She was also extraordinarily supportive of my writing. I would send her columns I had written and she not only would read them more than once but she would have “loving” questions and comments. It was indeed a mutual admiration society.

Following the pro tour, life was not easy for Gussy but it was also not boring. A feminist before anyone knew what the word meant, she wrote newspaper columns, hosted radio and TV sports shows in Hollywood and New York. She met and befriended celebrities and the rich and famous in all walks of life. Though often outspoken, Gussy’s spirit and charm was irresistible.

Among her “weaknesses” Gussy loved men and they loved her. Married three times, her life with filled with more than her share of romantic heartache and difficult periods but she never regretted any of it or complained. She had her apartment and her cats.

Admittedly Gussy’s last years were difficult as she had outlived her family and most of her friends. And financially and with her health there were problems but she was remarkably accepting and content.

Gussy was also inexplicably current with the news and seemingly kept up with everything. I once mentioned the name of recording star Bono and before I could explain the reference she blurted out excitedly, “Oh, I’m a big fan of U-2!”

And mentally and in conversation, she was sharp as a tack as the following will reveal. Though I work at it, I tend to be longwinded in conversation and in writing. One time on the phone I was trying to answer a question she had asked about computers.

During the middle of my rambling response I foolishly said, “I’ll try to be brief,” hoping she would bear with me. Gussy cut me off jokingly, “Jack, you stopped being brief about four paragraphs ago.” You couldn’t help but love Gertrude “Gussy” Augusta Moran. R.I.P.

Topics: American tennis news, Gorgeous Gussy, gussie moran, Gussy Moran, RIP Gussy Moran, Sports, Tennis Legend, Tennis News

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Gussie Moran Dies: Former Women’s Tennis Star Dead At 89 says:

January 18, 2013 at 8:41 am

[…] often outspoken, Gussy’s spirit and charm was irresistible, Her friend, Jack Neworth, wrote on 10sballs.com. “Admittedly Gussy’s last years were difficult as she had outlived her family and most of […]