UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Severe criticism of Mlle. Lenglen’s conduct

Q1. With reference to Suzanne Lenglen's amateur tennis career, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. She won the Wimbledon women's singles title six times between 1919 and 1925.
2. In 1920 she became the first player to win three Wimbledon championships in a single year.
3. She won the French singles championship six times.
4. She remained undefeated in every amateur singles match she played throughout her career.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 4 only

Q2. In which year did Suzanne Lenglen become the first player to win three Wimbledon championships (singles, doubles and mixed doubles) in a single championship?

• A. 1919
• B. 1920
• C. 1923
• D. 1925

Q3. In the context of the 1926 Wimbledon controversy, the term 'default' as applied to Suzanne Lenglen's withdrawal most precisely refers to which one of the following?

• A. A player forfeiting a match by failing to appear or compete as scheduled
• B. A player retiring during a match because of injury or illness
• C. A walkover awarded when an opponent is disqualified for misconduct on court
• D. A tie-break game played to decide a set that has reached a deadlock

Q4. With reference to the 1926 Wimbledon scheduling controversy involving Suzanne Lenglen, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. Her singles match was rescheduled to an earlier time to accommodate the attendance of Queen Mary.
2. She was informed of the schedule change well in advance and had consented to it.
3. The episode contributed to her decision to leave amateur tennis later in 1926.
4. Public sympathy at the ground turned against her after she kept the royal party waiting.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 only
• C. 3 and 4
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. The Wimbledon Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, were first held in which year?

• A. 1868
• B. 1877
• C. 1899
• D. 1922

Q6. The Wimbledon Championships are organised and staged by which one of the following bodies?

• A. International Tennis Federation
• B. Lawn Tennis Association
• C. All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
• D. Association of Tennis Professionals

Q7. With reference to milestones in gender pay equity in tennis, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. The U.S. Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to award equal prize money to men and women, in 1973.
2. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) was founded in 1973.
3. Wimbledon began awarding equal prize money to men and women in 2007.
4. The French Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to award equal prize money.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1 and 3
• D. 4 only

Q8. Which one of the following is the world governing body that administers international tennis, including the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup and Olympic tennis?

• A. Women's Tennis Association
• B. International Tennis Federation
• C. Association of Tennis Professionals
• D. All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Q9. With reference to Suzanne Lenglen's move to professional tennis in 1926, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. She signed a professional contract with the American promoter Charles C. Pyle.
2. The professional tour she headlined was staged in the United States.
3. Turning professional effectively ended her amateur Grand Slam career.
4. She continued to compete in the Wimbledon singles every year after 1926.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. In the era of Suzanne Lenglen, an 'amateur' tennis player — the only category then permitted in the Grand Slam tournaments — was distinguished on the basis of which one of the following criteria?

• A. The player competed without receiving monetary payment or prize money for playing
• B. The player had not yet won any Grand Slam singles title
• C. The player represented a private club rather than a national association
• D. The player competed only on grass courts and not on clay

Q11. With reference to France's contribution to interwar international tennis, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. The 'Four Musketeers' were Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste.
2. They won six consecutive Davis Cup titles from 1927 to 1932.
3. The Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, home of the French Open, was built in their honour.
4. The French Open at the Stade Roland-Garros has been contested on grass courts.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 4 only

Q12. As of 2025, which one of the following is the oldest of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments?

• A. The U.S. Open, first held in 1881
• B. Wimbledon, first held in 1877
• C. The French Open, first held in 1891
• D. The Australian Open, first held in 1905