Carol Newsom

Carol Lee Natelson Newsom (May 23, 1946–March 13, 2003) was an American photographer who covered international tennis from 1974 until her death in 2003. A pioneer for women's tennis promotion, Newsom was the official photographer for the early days of the professional Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour and Virginia Slims Tennis Circuit in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980, she became the first woman photographer to be granted a credential to shoot pictures on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

Early life Carol Newsom was born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Nathan Barnard Natelson (1912–1980) and Belle Fine Natelson (1918–1993). She had a younger brother, Robert J. Natelson (1951–1981).

While covering the Boston Lobsters, Newsom came to the attention of Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals. They were looking for a photographer to travel with and document the recently formed women's professional tennis circuit. Working as the official photographer for the Virginia Slims Circuit for ten years, Newsom traveled the country shooting the action on and off the court.

By the late 1970s her photographs began being picked up by international wire services such as United Press International (UPI), Agence France-Presse (AFP), Reuters, and Associated Press (AP), earning her recognition not only in her local area, but across the United States and around the world. In 1980, Newsom applied for a press credential to be a photographer at the Wimbledon Championships. She made history when the organizing committee agreed to grant her said credential, thus becoming the first female to be permitted to photograph on Centre Court.

Throughout her career, Newsom documented both the women's and men's professional tennis circuits and events around the world, and regularly attended the French Open, Wimbledon, US Open championships, and other significant tennis tournaments in England and the United States from 1980 until her death. Her sharp eye, skill, and timing allowed her to capture the beauty, intensity, and whimsical aspects of the sport. Newsom told fellow photographers, "I believe that if I keep my eyes open, I'll find a shot. Sometimes you just feel the magic."

Beyond fulfilling her requirements for documenting the tennis events, Newsom also served as a mentor and a voice of encouragement for several up-and-coming photographers.

In June 2003, Newsom was posthumously elected into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sport.

In 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite this diagnosis, Newsom managed to continue her grueling schedule, attending tennis events across the globe. At the 2002 US Open, she told people, "I have two jobs – pictures and fighting [the cancer]. It's a good fight."

Tinling: Sixty Years in Tennis. Ted Tinling, Sidgwick & Jackson, London, 1983. . Martina. Martina Navratilova and George Vecsey, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1985. . Passing Shots: Pam Shriver on Tour. Pam Shriver, Frank Deford, and Susan Adams, McGraw-Hill Company, New York, 1987. . We Have Come A Long Way: The Story of Women's Tennis. Billie Jean King with Cynthia Starr, McGraw-Hill Company, New York, 1988. . My Life with the Pros. Bud Collins, E. F. Dutton & Co., New York, 1989. . Ladies of the Court: Grace and Disgrace on the Women's Tennis Tour. Michael Mewshaw, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, 1993. . Getting a Grip: On my body, my mind, my self. Monica Seles, The Penguin Group, New York, 2009. . Women Tennis Stars: Biographies and records of champions, 1880s to today, Dennis J. Phillips, McFarland & Company, 2009. .

Awards 1986: Kodak Photojournalism Award 1987: Women's International Tennis Association (WITA) Media Person of the Year Award 1988: Spirit of Wimbledon Photo Competition 2003: USTA New England Tennis Hall of Fame – awarded posthumously