Lesbian tennis star takes Wimbledon

Lesbian tennis star Amelie Mauresmo of France defied her reputation for faltering in big matches by winning the Wimbledon title on Satruday, the Associated Press reports. She rallied from a set down and held firm down the stretch to beat Justine Henin-Hardenne, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, to win the championship. "I don't want anyone to talk about my nerves anymore," she said.

Mauresmo became the first French women's singles champion at Wimbledon since Suzanne Lenglen won the last of her six titles in 1925. The top-seeded Mauresmo also stopped number 3 seed Henin-Hardenne from completing a career Grand Slam. It was the second Grand Slam final between the two players this year, and this time there was an outright winner.

Folloiwing Mauresmo's victory, French president Jacques Chirac sent her a note of congratulations. "France is proud to share your emotion," he wrote. Handwritten on the margins were the words: "Bravo! It was magnificent! What a performance, and what elegance!"

There is much admiration in France for Mauresmo, according to a report by London's Daily Telegraph. Her openness about being lesbian did not decrease her popularity, and the nation rallied behind her after Martina Hingis's infamous joke that Mauresmo was "half a man." While fellow countrywoman Mary Pierce is seen as aloof and unable to communicate well in French, Mauresmo has a frankness and modesty that the French appreciate. (The Advocate)