Queen's 2025: Olga Morozova – women's singles champion since 1973

Olga Morozova’s reign as the Queen’s Club Championships champion is coming to an end after more than 50 years, with the first women’s event being held since 1973. The original trophy has gone missing, so the winner will now receive a new trophy with past champions engraved on it. As the tennis world has evolved significantly from Morozova’s time, with wooden racquets and public transport to events, the upcoming tournament will mark a new era.

Morozova, who hails from Moscow, reflects on a time when prize money was not a major concern for her due to her amateur status coming from the Soviet Union. She recalls traveling by Tube to Queen’s and staying in a modest B&B in Earl’s Court with shared toilets and showers. Despite the humble accommodations, the tournament boasted top players like Chris Evert and Margaret Court, among others, showcasing the prestigious nature of the event.

The disparities in prize money over the years are evident, with Morozova earning £1,000 for her victory in 1973, equivalent to around £15,000 today. In comparison, the 2025 champion will take home $218,000, more than 10 times the amount adjusted for inflation. The push for equal prize money is ongoing, with the LTA aiming to achieve parity at Queen’s and other tournaments by 2029.

As a former coach for the LTA, Morozova believes the return of a women’s event at Queen’s will provide a significant boost for British players. She praises British stars like Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu for their skills and potential, highlighting the importance of grass court experience for their development. With some of the world’s top players set to compete, the new champion following Morozova’s historic win will emerge from a competitive field, marking a new chapter in the tournament’s history

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