Leela Row Dayal

Leela Row Dayal was a female tennis player and author from India. She was the first female Indian tennis player to win a match at the Wimbledon Championships. She wrote several books on Indian classical dance in both English and Sanskrit.

Leela Row Dayal playing tennis in 1934. This photo shows Dayal playing tennis at Wimbledon in 1934. She is wearing a short skirt and bare legs, which was unusual for women at the time. This photo shows her determination and athleticism.

Dayal was born in 1911 in Lahore, British India. She began playing tennis at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks of the Indian tennis circuit. In 1931, she won her first title at the All India Championship. She went on to win six more in the following years.

In 1934, Dayal made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a match at Wimbledon. She defeated Gladys Southwell of Britain in the first round of the singles event. In the second round, she lost to Ida Adamoff of France.

Dayal returned to Wimbledon the following year, but she lost in the first round to Evelyn Dearman of Britain. She also competed in the French Championships five times, but she never made it past the first round.

In addition to her tennis career, Dayal was also a talented writer and dancer. She wrote several books on Indian classical dance, including The Dances of India (1951) and The Art of Dancing (1961). She was also a playwright and a mountaineer.

Dayal’s life and achievements were remarkable, especially given the time in which she lived. She was a pioneer for Indian women in sports and in the arts. She was also a role model for young women everywhere.

Unfortunately, little is known about Dayal’s life after her tennis career. She is believed to have died in the 1970s. However, her legacy as the first Indian woman to win a match at Wimbledon will live on forever.

Here are some of Leela Row Dayal’s achievements:

• First Indian woman to win a match at Wimbledon (1934)
• Six-time All India Championship winner
• Author of several books on Indian classical dance
• Playwright and mountaineer

Leela Row Dayal was a remarkable woman who achieved great things in her lifetime. She was a pioneer for Indian women in sports and in the arts, and her legacy will continue to inspire others for years to come.