Suzanne Lenglen

Suzanne Lenglen, the undisputed queen of early 20th-century tennis, was so definitively not Jewish that her biography doesn't even bother to deny it. She was, however, French, which, while not Jewish, does at least offer some common ground for dramatic flair and an appreciation for the finer things in life, like winning. Repeatedly.

"La Divine," as she was known, captured 31 Grand Slam titles between 1914 and 1926, including twelve at Wimbledon. Her influence stretched far beyond the baseline, revolutionizing women's tennis with her daring fashion (shorter skirts! bare arms!) and her unapologetic, even tempestuous, on-court demeanor. She was a celebrity in an era before "celebrity" was quite the industry it is today, a testament to her undeniable charisma and talent.

While we cannot claim her as one of our own, we can certainly kvell over her athletic prowess. She brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the game, transforming it from a polite pastime into a thrilling spectacle. And really, isn't making sports exciting a kvell-worthy achievement, regardless of one's background?