Obituaries Australia

One of Australia's great women tennis players and administrators, Mrs Nell Hopman, died today, aged 57, after a long illness.

Her husband is Australian Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman.

Mrs Hopman was largely responsible for lifting Australian women's tennis from a social activity to world participation.

For 25 years she was ranked among the 10 top women players in Victoria.

She won the State singles title in 1938 and represented Victoria and NSW 40 times in interstate matches.

She managed the Australian women's team overseas in 1961 and 1962, and for 10 years was the only woman among the 70 men on the LTAV council.

Mrs Hopman was awarded the CBE in 1962 for her services in advancing women's tennis throughout Australia. Just over two years ago she was elected the first life member of the LTAV.

She had a serious brain operation late in 1966.

A private funeral will be held tomorrow.