Harper, Anna McCune

Anna McCune Harper, Lambda, University of California, Berkeley, had an illustrious and varied career; most notably to Sigma Kappas, she served as the sorority president from 1939 to 1942. But Harper first made a name for herself as a tennis player. 

Harper grew up loving tennis, playing regularly with her sister Lucy in Pacific Grove, California. In 1920, eager to watch the California State Tennis Championships, they entered the tournament, because, she later said, “we thought it would be cheaper to see all the matches as participants rather than pay for spectators’ tickets.” They ended up winning the doubles competition, and Anna embarked on her professional tennis career.

She was nationally ranked in the top 10 in singles from 1928 until 1932, including No. 1 in 1930. She won the 1929 Pacific Coast singles championship and finished second in the United States Tennis Association singles championship in 1930. 

Harper was even more successful in doubles play, winning the mixed doubles championship at Wimbledon in 1931 with partner George Lott. She also finished second in women’s doubles at the U.S. Championships in 1928, 1930, and 1932.

She also represented the United States in 1931 and 1932 at the Wightman Cup competition, an annual women’s tournament against Great Britain.

Harper retired from tennis in 1932 due to illness in her family, although she continued to play for many years. 

Harper was elected into the USTA Northern California Hall of Fame in 1974 and the University of California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.