A dedication ceremony will be held this Sunday to celebrate the renaming of Stadium Court at Christine Emerson Reed Park to Gussy Moran Stadium Court.
The City of Santa Monica will host the ceremony that commemorates Santa Monica native and world-famous tennis pioneer Gussy Moran.
In addition to adding the court signage a permanent didactic sign with biographical information about Moran will be installed.
Event Schedule:
11 am-11:15 am: Welcome and dedication
11:15 am-12:45 pm: Live play workout/cardio tennis
This event is organized by the City of Santa Monica Community Recreation Division.
The City Council voted on June 25 to commemorate Gussy Moran by naming Stadium Court at Reed Park after Gussy Moran, a Santa Monica native and world-famous tennis player.
Gussy Moran was born in Santa Monica on September 8, 1923 in a Victorian house on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
She learned to play tennis at the age of 11, playing at Santa Monica High School and sometimes was invited to play at Charlie Chaplin’s house with Greta Garbo and Olivia de Havilland.
She joined the amateur tennis circuit in 1947 and in her 20’s was ranked as high as No. 4 in the world.
In 1949, Ms. Moran played in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and made a fashion splash by wearing a short skirt that revealed lace panties for which she was remembered throughout her life and led to her nickname “gorgeous Gussy.”
In 1950 she retired from amateur tennis and signed a one-year contract to play on a professional tour managed by Bobby Riggs.
She went on to work as a sports director in radio and television as well as continued to compete in tournaments into her early 40’s. Gussy Moran passed away in January 2013.
Reed Park is located at 1133 7th Street (corner of Wilshire and 7th Street).
For more information on the court dedication, call 310.458.8300.
