'Deep sadness': Tennis world in mourning over Hall of Famer's death
The tennis world is mourning the death of Hall of Fame executive Jane Brown Grimes.
Brown Grimes died on Wednesday at age 80, sparking an outpouring of grief around the tennis world.
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“Jane devoted her life to the sport of tennis, and the sport benefited greatly from her intelligence, grace and dedication,” USTA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty said.
“With her unparalleled dignity, Jane grew our sport from the most local grassroots to the highest levels of the professional game. She will be missed.”
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of ITHF hall of famer and president Jane Brown Grimes.
Jane was also the former managing director for the WTA. She broke down barriers for women in the sport world and helped create a better future for the WTA.💜— wta (@WTA) November 3, 2021
Brown Grimes was a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and a former managing director at the WTA.
"It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of ITHF hall of famer and president Jane Brown Grimes," the WTA said.
"She broke down barriers for women in the sport world and helped create a better future for the WTA."
Brown Grimes opened a New York development office for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977.
She was the Rhode Island-based Hall’s Executive Director from 1981-86, then its President and CEO from 1991-2000, overseeing the restoration of its historic buildings and grounds.
In 1986 she became the Managing Director of the Women’s Professional Tennis Council, the precursor to the WTA.
Tennis world mourns death of Jane Brown Grimes
She was the Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the US Tennis Association in 2007-08.
“As the leader of three major tennis organisations, Jane had a tremendously positive and wide-ranging impact across the sport,” former Hall CEO Mark Stenning said.
“She was an astute leader who approached everything with the highest level of grace, skill, and intelligence.
"I am grateful to have counted her as my friend and mentor.”
Brown Grimes was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
“Jane has served tennis on every level. No other person has ever run three major organisations in tennis," Chris Evert said at the time.
"She broke down barriers that women faced in the workplace, pushed back gender roles, and did it all with grace.
"Over the decades I watched Jane work her magic with intelligence, savvy, and integrity. Her skilled diplomacy was key to the survival of the WTA.”
Brown Grimes is survived by two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren and her brother, according to the Hall.
Of all the different organizations in tennis Jane made better, her heart was close to Women’s tennis always. She will be missed. RIP my friend. 🙏🏼
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) November 3, 2021
We express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jane Brown Grimes, who died at home in NYC on Nov. 2. She was inducted into the @TennisHalloFame in 2014.
In June, @sflinko wrote at length about the transformative tennis industry leader: https://t.co/dq2NnwI8WB pic.twitter.com/pvYQbntq9Z— TENNIS (@Tennis) November 3, 2021
The ITHF mourns the loss President Emerita and Hall of Famer Jane Brown Grimes.
A transformative tennis leader, Jane held executive roles for the ITHF, the Women’s Pro Tennis Council (@wta precursor), and the @usta.
We are grateful for her guidance and friendship.— Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) November 3, 2021
I am saddened by the passing of Jane Brown Grimes, who was instrumental in the growth of tennis, especially the women’s game.
Her leadership @TennisHalloFame & the @usta, & her work w/@WTA are among the highlights of tennis history. https://t.co/6f74h0YWPG— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 3, 2021
Sad news. A great leader for tennis.
— Robert Twomey (@roberttwomey00) November 3, 2021
Jane Brown Grimes, a wise, remarkable and skilled leader. She made the sport of tennis better and lifted up many people along the way throughout her life. She is eternally enshrined in memories of those who knew her & @TennisHalloFame. May God bless & bring peace to her family. pic.twitter.com/SvKZysOSh7
— Kevin Wensing (@Kevin_Wensing) November 3, 2021
with Associated Press
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