 Women's professional tennis began in 1926, when world number one female player Suzanne Lenglen accepted $50,000 for a series of matches against three-time US Champion Mary K. Browne.The series ended in 1927, and the women did not compete as professionals again until 1941 when Alice Marble headlined a tour against Mary Hardwick.World War II hindered most professional competitions and many players were involved with entertaining the troops.