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Wimbledon Results

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#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This thread will include the Wimbledon results. Please do not reply to this thread, but post any results you have in the "Grand Slam Results" thread. Thank you.

Note: the Wimbledon Championships were not held from 1915-18 and from 1940-45.
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
1884: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (WIMBLEDON)

Dates: July 5-July 19 (The women's event commenced on July 16)
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=13)

1st Round


Maud Watson d. Mrs A. Tyrwhitt-Drake 6-0 6-2
Blanche Williams d. Mrs C. Wallis 6-2 6-1
Blanche Bingley d. Edith Cole 6-3 6-3
Florence Winckworth d. E. Bushnell 6-0 6-1

Mrs. G.J. Cooper d. C. Bushnell default
Lilian Watson-bye
M. Leslie d. B. Wallis 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals

M. Watson d. Williams 7-5 6-0
Bingley d. Winckworth 6-0 6-8 6-3
L. Watson d. Cooper 7-5 5-7 6-3
Leslie-bye

Semifinals

M. Watson d. Bingley 3-6 6-4 6-2
L. Watson d. Leslie 6-4 6-1

Final

Maud Watson d. Lilian Watson 6-8 6-3 6-3

An artist illustrates the 1884 ladies final




-----------------------------------------

Draw notes:


Standardized draws with byes distributed evenly are not yet common. M Leslie wins her first round match and then gets a bye into the semifinals.

Missing full names for:

Miss C. Bushnell
Miss E. Bushnell
Mrs. G.J. Cooper
Miss M. Leslie
Mrs A. Tyrwhitt-Drake
Miss B. Wallis
Mrs C. Wallis

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

The London Times
Pastime


Maud Watson. by Alan Little.

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/static/pdfs/archive/draws/1884_LS_A4.pdf

-----------------------------------------

Summary

Recognized as the first ever grand slam for women today. At this time the Irish ladies championship(started in 1879), as the older event, held more prestiege.

Leslie won a first round match , then got a quarterfinal bye, a curiosity never repeated.

Bingley became more famous as Blanche Hillyard.

This was only time two sisters contested a slam final until the Williams did so at the 2001 Us Open

First prize was a sliver flower basket Because of heavy starched long sleeves shirts, the ladies served underhanded. The lone exception was Maud Watson, the winner. All the ladies also wore hats.

The Times noted that both finalists represented the Berkeswell Club, yet neglected to mention they were sisters.

[From Alan Little's booklet on Maud Watson]

Although The Championships at Wimbledon started in 1877, it was not until seven years later that the Ladies’ Championship was inaugurated. The recognition of the fair sex was far from the first but followed the lead given by the Irish Championships in 1879 and other tournaments such as Bath, Edgbaston and Exmouth in 1881.

When in March 1884, the All England Lawn Tennis Club Committee announced that the forthcoming meeting would be enlarged by the introduction of a gentlemen’s doubles event, no mention was made of staging a ladies’ singles. This decision came as late as 21 June and was undoubtedly influenced by the knowledge that the neighbouring London Athletic Club at Stamford Bridge planned to institute a Ladies’ Championship. Rather than create a difficult situation the L.A.C. graciously withdrew in favour of the premier body, which they felt had a priority to hold the Championship.

An entrance fee of 10 shillings and sixpence was charged for The Championship, the draw for which took place in the Pavilion on 10 July and included the names of 13 competitors. The first prize was a silver flower-basket, value 20 guineas, and the second, a silver and glass hand mirror and silver-backed brush, value 10 guineas.

The event, run concurrently with the gentlemen’s doubles, commenced on Wednesday, 16 July, the day after the conclusion of the gentlemen’s singles. Play occupied the courts for four days and was reasonably attended in view of the poor weather on the first three days, when strong south-west winds blew and showers were frequent. However, the Saturday was fine and between four and five hundred spectators assembled at Worple Road to witness the final.

Maud Watson, at the age of 19, became the first champion. In the opening round she easily defeated Mrs A. Tyrwhitt-Drake, whose style entailed in holding her racket more than half-way up the handle, 6-0, 6-2. In her next match, Maud was given a testing time in the first set by Miss Blanche Williams, who led 4-2, but she recovered to 5-all and then took the next eight games. A mild sensation occurred in the following round when Maud lost the opening set 6-3 to a very determined Miss Blanche Bingley, before raising her game to take the next two sets, 6-3, 6-2.

In the other half of the draw, Maud’s sister, Lilian, won her through to the final. Maud’s superiority was so well known that the result was regarded as a foregone conclusion, but on this occasion, however, Lilian exhibited greater accuracy and severity in her strokes than normal and was able to capture the first set, 8-6. Maud, undeterred, fought back to win the next two by 6-3, 6-3. Victory confirmed Maud’s standing as the leading player of that time and ensured that her name would appear in the record book for posterity.

By all accounts, The Championship was a great success, a sentiment echoed by at least one competitor who wrote to a journal of the day: “We ladies would like to thank Mr Julian Marshall (Secretary) for our pretty dressing room and his selection of an attendant. Nothing was forgotten, from the beautiful flowers on the table to the smallest toilet luxuries.”

From "Pastime"

“For this event thirteen entries had been received, and play in the first round began soon after three o’clock on Wednesday. Miss Lilian Watson had the bye, and, as Miss C. Bushell had scratched to Mrs G.C. Cooper, only five matches became necessary. The winners of each of these matches showed capital form. That of Miss Maud Watson is tolerably well known, and in her match with Mrs Tyhwhitt-Drake, who would add to the effectiveness of her by no means weak game by holding the racket less by the central portion of the handle, there was no necessity for showing the best of it. Several games were well contested, the third game in the first set reaching deuce three times, and the fifth twice. In the second set two games were called deuce. The only love game of the match fell to Mrs Tyrwhitt-Drake.

“Miss Williams had some difficulty in winning the first set from Miss C. Wallis, four games being called deuce in it, the seventh game four times, and the second twice. In the second set the first game fell only to Miss Wallis, to love, Miss Williams in this set winning three love games. As Mrs Edith Cole had only recently won the ladies’ handicap at Winchmore Hill, owing fifteen, Miss Blanche Bingley being at scratch, it was rather a surprise to see the latter on this occasion defeat her by two sets to love, on equal terms. Miss Bingley plays a very determined game, and is not easily tired. All the games were well contested, three in first set and four in the second reaching deuce. In each set Mrs Cole won three games only.

“The high wind was too much for Miss E. Bushell, who succumbed to a stronger player in Miss Winckworth, to whom three love games were registered. In the first set the third and fourth games were brought to deuce. Miss M. Leslie seemed to hold Miss B. Wallis safe, although six games were called deuce, all of them falling to Miss Leslie, who also won two love games. The high wind completely bothered many of the players, it requiring a deal of judgment to keep the ball in court, from one end, and out of the net, from the other.

“The second round produced some good play. Playing from the better end, Miss Williams was able to make a good stand against Miss Maud Watson in the first set. Two games-all was called, and then Miss Williams reached four to two. Two games to Miss Watson made it four-all, and alternate games five-all. A love game and one to thirty then gave Miss Watson the set. A love set followed to the Berkshire lady, Miss Williams only succeeding in bringing the sixth game to deuce.

“The match between Miss Bingley and Miss Winckworth was, we fancy, prolonged by the weather. Playing with the wind, Miss Bingley took a love set, the first game being brought to deuce twice. In the second set, one, two and three-all was called. Miss Winckworth reached five to three, but Miss Bingley brought matters to games-all. Miss Winckworth got the advantage game, but games-all was again called, when Miss Winckworth won two love games in succession, and the set. In the third set ends were of course changed at each game. Miss Winckworth was two love and three to one, but Miss Bingley came with a run of five and won the set and match.

“The match between Mrs Cooper and Miss Lilian Watson was very close and interesting. Mrs Cooper is not known as a player at tournaments, at which the quality of her play would undoubtedly bring her many successes. Seen for the first time, it received many encomiums, although the lady was palpably at a disadvantage in being unused to play in such important affairs. Miss Watson began from the better end, and won the first game. The second game reached deuce six times and fell to Mrs Cooper. Alternate games were won to three-all, and then each in turn became one game ahead, but five-all was called. Two games to Miss Watson then gave her the set.

“In the second set one and two-all was called, when Miss Watson went ahead until five games to three was called in her favour. Mrs Cooper then had a series of four victories, which gave her the set, at seven to five. Although Mrs Cooper was clearly not playing so well in the third set, it was stoutly contested. The third game was called deuce six times, and four other games also reached deuce. Miss Watson was at one time four games to one, and the set fell to her eventually at six games to three. Miss Leslie had the bye.

“In the third round, the match between Miss Bingley and Miss Maud Watson produced a mild sensation amongst the immediate friends of the competitors. Playing with her usual determination, Miss Bingley would not be denied in the first set, which she won at six games to three, in spite of Miss Watson’s endeavours in the last three games, each of which was brought to deuce, the last four times.

“In the second set Miss Watson was soon three to love, but Miss Bingley replied with a like number, two of them love games. The set in the end went to Miss Watson, at six to four, the last game being to love. Opening with a love game, five in succession fell to Miss Watson in the third set, in which Miss Bingley was able to secure two games only. The match thus fell to Miss Watson by two sets to one. Miss Watson the elder [Lilian] had not much difficulty in winning from Miss Leslie, and the two sisters were thus left in to play for the championship.

“The superiority of Miss Maud Watson over her sister is so well known that the result was regarded as a foregone conclusion. Such perhaps it was, but it had to be conceded on all hands that never before had Miss Watson played so strong a game, or exhibited greater accuracy and severity in her cross stroke. Time after time she passed her sister, when that lady came up to volley, and the strokes which fell to her lot were nearly all won by sheer good play. As an exhibition it was far and away the best ever given by ladies at the game in England, Ireland, with the memory of the Dublin tournament still green, being on this occasion excepted. But even in the Fitzwilliam Square matches the play was very little superior.

“In the first set the score mounted very gradually, games-all being called at each stage, from one to five. Miss Maud scored the advantage game, after twice deuce; but a love game displaced her, and her sister, by winning two more games, took the set at eight games to six. In the second set Miss Maud won two loves games, and took the set at six to three. In the third set Miss Maud took the first two games, but three then fell to Miss Lilian, including two love games. A love game, and three more, then gave Miss Maud the set, and the match.

“The play was very deservedly frequently applauded, some of the rests being capitally played, and containing really fine strokes. Thus Miss Maud Watson is at last the undoubted lady champion of All England, a title which has for long been accorded her acclamation. It will take a very strong player indeed to wrest the title from this lady.”
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
1885: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (WIMBLEDON)

Dates: July 4-July 17 (The women's event commenced on July 14)
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=10)


1st Round

Blanche Bingley d. Miss L. M. Nash 6-2 6-2
Mrs. Dransfield -bye
Jane Meikle d. Lilian Watson 6-3 4-6 6-4
Edith Gurney-bye

Miss E. F. Hudson -bye
Constance Bryan-bye
Beatrice Langrishe-bye
Maud Watson-bye

Quarterfinals

Bingley d. Dransfield default
Gurney d. Meikle 7-5 6-4
Hudson d. Bryan 6-3 6-0
Watson d. Langrishe 6-0 6-2

Semifinals

Bingley d. Gurney 6-1 6-2
Watson d. Hudson 6-0 6-1

Final

Maud Watson d. Blanche Bingley 6-1 7-5

Miss Watson in 1885




-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Missing full names for:

Mrs. Dransfield
Miss E. F. Hudson
Miss L. M. Nash

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/static/pdfs/archive/draws/1885_LS_A4.pdf (in error about May Langrishe, it was actually Beatrice Langrishe)

Outing, volume 7 (1885), pages 132-133 and 136. (confirms it was B Langrishe, not May, who competed at Wimbledon this year).

https://books.google.com/books?id=5h0uAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA134-IA2&lpg=PA134-IA2&dq

-----------------------------------------

Summary

Of the 10 entries only 3 had competed in 1884. Among them was Maud Watson, the defending champion. Maud was the first of the "unbeatables", going with out a defeat from 1881 to 1886. In her 3 matches here only Blanche Bingley extends her in the final.

The first round started with a surprise. Meikle "The Scotish championess" in the words of Outing magazine, upset Lilian Watson, the 1884 finalist, in 3 tough sets.

In the quarterfinals Maud quickly mowed down Langrishe "a charming Irish girl". Mrs Dransfield was "scratched" for failing to show-giving Bingley a walkover into the semifinals. Gurney vs Meikle was the closest meeting in this round. In contrast to the hard hitting from Watson-Langrishe the ladies played long rallies. Meikle had sprained her wrist, which was tightly bandaged.

The semifinals were not worthy of comment with Bingley and Watson easily romping to victory.

"On the morning of the match it was reported that Maud was suffering from a sudden attack of rheumatism but any forebodings were soon dispelled when she speedily secured the first set from her extremely nervous opponent. In the second set Blanche Bingley improved and, scoring consistently with her drives, managed to hold the champion to 5-all. However, in the next two games Maud conceded just two points and ran out the winner 6-1 7-5. A feature of Maud's play was that she never failed to return her opponent's service." (from Maud Watson: The First Wimbledon Champion, by Alan Little, page 8).

Outing touted Maud:

"Very athletic in form, and rather above medium height, she plays more like a man than a woman. Possessed of a splendid frame and unusual muscular power, she overpowers antagonists with overhead serves and "Renshaw smashes." She has a facility for playing extremely hard and keeping the ball in court."

First prize was a silver afternoon tea service. Second prize was a silver inkstand. Hundreds of ladies admired the silver on display before viewing the contests.

Outing went on at some length about the clothes and physical attributes of the women:

"The girl players here do not wear corsets; hence the student of the human form divine has here a chance of studying the truth (or falsity) of that artistic belief of the ancient Greeks that an unconfined waist is the type of true beauty in woman's form."
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
1886: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (WIMBLEDON)

Dates: July 3-July 17 (The women's event commenced on July 14)
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=8, plus holder)

Holder Maud Watson "sits out" until the Challenge Round.

1st Round

Maud Shackle d. Julia Mackenzie 6-3 6-4
Amy Tabor d. Miss F. M. Pearson 6-1 6-2
Blanche Bingley d. Julia Shackle 6-2 6-1
Lilian Watson d. Miss A. M. Chambers 6-3 6-3

Semifinals

Tabor d. M. Shackle 6-4 7-5
Bingley d. L. Watson 6-3 8-6

Final

Blanche Bingley d. Amy Tabor 6-2 6-0

Challenge Round

Blanche Bingley d. Maud Watson (holder) 6-3 6-3

Miss Bingley



---------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Missing full names for:

Miss F. M. Pearson
Miss A. M. Chambers

(Edith) Maud Shackle and Julia Shackle were twin sisters from Hayes in Middlesex.

---------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1886_LS_A4.pdf

'The Field'

---------------------------------------

Summary

Miss Bingley wins 4 matches first Wimbledon crown; downing the two Watson sisters in the process.

In 1886, a challenge cup was offered for the women's singles event for the first time. They had been under pressure to do this for some time; the men having a challenge cup since 1878. This meant that the holder did not have to play through the event, but could "sit out" and wait to meet the winner of what was known as the All-Comers' event.

As the holder Maude Watson did not sit so firmly on her throne as in previous years. Young sensation Lottie Dodd defeated her Bath 7-5 6-4, this being Watson's first defeat since 1881, halting her consecutive match streak at 54.

Sadly for spectators Miss Dod did not enter the Championships. Another prominent player who was absent was the Irish Louisa Martin. That left Blanche Bingley as Maud's likely challenger, and as expected Blanche won through to the final in straight sets, though Maud's sister Lilian gave her a stout fight, losing 6-3 8-6.

Blanche took out the defending champion in a straight set final. "Miss Bingley was in her very best form, hitting the ball vigorously on her forehand and showing no signs of her usual nervousness. Maud's play lacked the determined energy which was one of it's principal characteristics." (from Maud Watson: The First Wimbledon Champion, by Alan Little, page 10).

From "The Field Lawn Tennis Calendar" (1887): "Saturday, July 17. The weather during the morning made the chances of playing off the two championships very doubtful, but the tarpaulins with which the courts had been covered had done their work well, and, the rain ceasing in time, it was found quite practicable to play off both competitions. The attendance was again very limited, but those who were present were most liberal with their acknowledgements of good play. Miss Blanche Bingley has several times been beaten by Miss Maud Watson without once securing a victory, and it was hardly expected that on this occasion she would be able to win the championship, though to those who follow the leading tournaments it was well known that she was improving greatly.

"Miss Bingley commenced playing well, seeming to have thrown off much of the nervousness from which she generally suffers, and making her returns with great freedom, had little difficulty in winning the opening set by six games to three, only the fourth being well contested. On crossing over it was expected that Miss Watson would do much better, and she won the two opening games, but then fell away again, and eventually was defeated the same number of games as in the first set.

"Miss Bingley won 12 games and 61 strokes, and Miss Watson 6 games and 47 strokes. During the match Miss Watson won one love game and Miss Bingley two, and three of the games were at deuce. Rather a curious feature of the match was the number of double faults served, Miss Bingley only served one, but Miss Watson lost no less than five aces by them, and four out of these were the final strokes in games.

"Miss Watson was decidedly not playing up to her best form, her forehand returns being far too much above the top of the net, and the cut that she gets on them seems to bring the ball up instead of going on, and so gives her opponent more time for placing her stroke. Her backhand returns, on the contrary, were good all the way through. Miss Bingley's forte lies in her hard hitting, and she combines this with accuracy of placing. With good players she generally lacks strength with her backhand returns; but on this occasion she missed very few, and also got a fair amount of pace on them. Miss Bingley fully deserved her victory, as it is not every lady who is able to struggle under the weight of several defeats."

Blanche was given a gold bracelet for her win.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
1887: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (WIMBLEDON)

Dates: July 2-7
Venue: Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

Singles (Draw=5, plus holder)

1st Round

Lottie Dod -bye
B. James d. Maud Shackle 8-6 6-2
Edith Cole -bye
Julia Shackle -bye

Semifinals

Dod d. James 6-1 6-1
Cole d. J Shackle 6-4 6-1

All-Comer's Final


Lottie Dod d. Edith Cole 6-2 6-3

Challenge Round

Lottie Dod d. Blanche Bingley (holder) 6-2 6-0



-------------------------------

Draw Notes

Missing full name for:

Miss B. James

-------------------------------

Summary

Lottie Dod "The Little Wonder" is the first real teenage prodigy of tennis. She wins on her debut at Wimbledon. She was 15 years and 10 months old at the time and is still the youngest ever winner of a senior singles title at Wimbledon. Miss Dod is the only woman in tennis history never to lose in grand slam, going unbeaten in her 5 Wimbledons. Some ladies feel the young girl has an unfair advantage over them. Older women must wear more restrictive clothes, while young Lottie can dash about in shorter skirts.

From: "The Field Lawn Tennis Calendar" (1888): "Wednesday, July 6. With so few competing in the ladies' singles, it was decided that it was not necessary to allow the winner of the All-Comers' a day's rest before meeting the lady champion, indeed, Miss Lottie Dod had only two ties to play off. Rather a larger company than had been previously seen this year at Wimbledon, were gathered round centre court when Miss Blanche Bingley and Miss Dod commenced their match for the championship. Just at first Miss Dod was not seen at her best, while Miss Bingley played very well, sending her returns down the court in her well-known style, but this, however, only lasted four games, and out of this number the 1886 champion could only win her share.

"Afterwards it was quite palpable that she was overmatched, as game after game in quick succession was won by Miss Dod, whose returns were wonderfully well placed, and at times she volleyed with good effect. The last ten games of the match were all won by Miss Dod, and, though Miss Bingley may gain more games some other time when in better health, we doubt that she would ever again defeat the new holder of the championship. Miss Dod excels all other ladies greatly in the ease with which she gets to the balls, she apparently being able to judge fairly well where the return is coming to. In the match under notice Miss Dod won 12 games to 2 and 60 strokes to 36."

[Thanks to Newmark for the report from the Field Lawn Tennis Calendar.]
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
1888: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (WIMBLEDON)

Dates: July 10-21 (the Ladies began on July 17)
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon,
London, England
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=6, plus holder)


1st Round

Miss 'Howes'-bye
D. Patterson d. Blanche Williams 6-0 6-3
Blanche Hillyard d. Miss 'Canning' 6-2 6-2
Miss 'Phillimore'-bye

Semifinals

'Howes' d. Patterson 6-4 6-2
Hillyard d. 'Phillimore' default

All-Comer's Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Mrs 'Howes' 6-1 6-2

Challenge Round

Lottie Dod (holder) d. Blanche Hillyard 6-3 6-3

Lottie with her bassett hound.



---------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Missing full names for:

Miss 'Canning' (a pseudonym)

Miss D. Patterson
Miss 'Howes'-(a pseudonym). The Times initially announces "Miss Howes" as "Miss Holme". They correct it the next day.
Miss 'Phillimore'-bye

---------------------------------------------

Sources:

The London Times (which has sparse coverage)

---------------------------------------------

Summary

Early on the Championships resembled a masked ball-with 3 of the 6 entrants hiding behind a false name. The use of pseudonyms was common before 1919, but never so pronounced as in this draw.

A record crowd came out for the Challenge Round. Blanche lost only 6 games in two matches to get to Lottie Dod; she did well to earn 6 games in losing. Play was quick, lasting some 35 minutes. Excited spectators cried out "Lottie!" several times during the match.

Bingley is married and now plays as Hillyard. Her husband is later head of the All-England Club.

First prize was a 50 guinea challenge shield.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
1889

Dates: July 1-13 (The ladies begin July 3)
Venue: All-England Club, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

Singles (Draw=6)

1st Round

Lena Rice (Ire)-bye
May Jacks d. Mary Steedman 6-4 6-2
Blanche Hillyard d. Annie Rice (Ire) 6-3 6-0
Bertha Steedman-bye

Semifinals

Rice d. Jacks 6-2 6-0
Hillyard d. B Steedman 8-6 6-1

Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Lena Rice 4-6 8-6 6-4

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Draw Notes
:

Annie Rice is listed as Miss A. E. Rice.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lottie Dod does not defend her title. The men's prize is valued at 100 guineas, twice that of the ladies' prize.

In the final Hillyard survives 3 match points before a large Center court crowd. A full report on the semis and final is below from "The Field Lawn Tennis Calendar" (1890):

Semi-finals

"Thursday, July 4. Notwithstanding the counter-attractions of Henley, a very large number of lovers of the game attended at Wimbledon today to witness the two matches set down for decision. The weather was fine and the light for playing decidedly good.

"The ladies' matches commenced at half-past three, Miss Lena Rice and Miss May Jacks playing on the court between the stands. In the opening set Miss Jacks won two games but was unable to win a single one in the second; Miss Rice finishing the match with a consecutive run of eight games. Her returns and placing were much too good for Miss Jacks.

"Miss Bertha Steedman made a good stand against Mrs Blanche Hillyard in the opening set, fourteen games being contested; but in the second she could only gain one game, Mrs Hillyard playing extremely well."
--

All-Comers' Final

"Saturday, July 6. The match between Mrs Blanche Hillyard and Miss Lena Rice was of rather an extraordinary character, as after it had appeared as if the latter lady must be the victor, indeed she was three times within an ace of securing it, Mrs Hillyard played up with the greatest determination and eventually won - a very fine performance.

"Both ladies hit hard and placed their returns well, Miss Rice making the best backhand strokes, while Mrs Hillyard was decidedly the better in her forehand returns, and in the placing. Mrs Hillyard won 18 games to and 110 strokes to Miss Rice's 16 games and 100 strokes.

"It having been notified that Miss Lottie Dod would not defend her title the winner of the final match also earned the right to hold the 50-guinea challenge cup for the year and the championship, so that Mrs Hillyard, who was the lady champion in 1886, now resumes the title. [...]

"Mrs Hillyard commenced serving, but lost the opening game by four strokes to two; the second, however, was a love game to her. The next three games in succession all fell to Miss Rice, only the fifth being at deuce. Mrs Hillyard then made a great effort, and secured the sixth, seventh and eighth games, bringing the score to four-all; but, although she gained the first two aces in the ninth and tenth games, she was unable to make another, and so lost the set by six games to four and 30 aces to 27. This set took 20 minutes to play.

"Mrs Hillyard started well in the second set, the first, third and fourth all being love games to her, the second falling to her opponent by four strokes to two, but after this Miss Rice played wonderfully well, and won the four following games, bringing the score to five games to three in her favour.

"To all appearances the match seemed over in the ninth game, as it was called 40 to 15, and afterwards advantage to Miss Rice; but Mrs Hillyard, nothing daunted, played with great determination, and eventually won the game by seven strokes to five, and she followed this up by also taking the tenth at five to three, thus causing an advantage set to be played. The eleventh game also fell to Mrs Hillyard, but Miss Rice, by some fine returns, mostly backhand, also brought the score to 'games-all'. The following two games, however, decided the set, as Mrs Hillyard won them both, and thus the set, by eight games to six, and 51 aces to 41. Duration of set: 38 minutes. Six of the games were at deuce.

"As in the second set, Mrs Hillyard gained three out of the first games in the final set, but once more Miss Rice again took a sequence, this time, however, making three consecutive games instead of four, the score now being called four games to three in her favour. This proved to her last win, as Mrs Hillyard, again playing with great vigour, took the next three in succession, and so winning the match. The set was won by six games to four, and 32 aces to 29. Each player gained a love game, and four of the game were at deuce, including the first and last. Duration of set: 22 minutes."
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
1890

Dates: June 30 to July 5 (July 3 and 4 for the Ladies)
Venue: The All-England Club, Wimbledon
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=4)

1st Round

May Jacks d. Edith Cole 6-4 7-5
Lena Rice (Ire) d. Mary Steedman 7-5 6-2

Final

Lena Rice d. May Jacks 6-4 6-1

Hillyard does not defend title.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Wimbledon site
Thanks to Newmarlk for the report from Pastime.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Summary

A high point for Lena Rice, who becomes the only Irish woman to win Wimbledon., but a low point for the event, with the smallest entry ever(4). Lena never again plays competitive tennis.

A pregnant Hillyard doesn't defend.

From "Pastime", July 9, 1890: "The first round of the ladies' singles was played on Wednesday afternoon [July 2nd] at 3.30. Miss Lena Rice and Miss Mary Steedman played on the centre court. The former was hardly in such good form as in Dublin, her hitting being less powerful, but she placed very well and kept a good length. Miss Steedman, although out of practice, played well, frequently volleying with success.

"The first set reached games-all, and for a time Miss Steedman looked like winning it; but Miss Rice played very steadily, and, gaining the next two games, won the set at 7-5. In the second the Irish lady had matter pretty much her own way, although Miss Steedman played pluckily until the last stroke was decided.

"While this match was taking place, Mss May Jacks and Mrs Edith Cole were playing in an adjoining court, and proved to be very equally matched. Four-all was called in the first set, which Miss Jacks won at 6-4. In the second Mrs Cole got to 5-4 and 40-30, wanting but a stroke to make it set-all. This she could not obtain, and Miss Jacks won at 7-5.

"Mrs Cole was very weak in her forehand strokes, but her backhand was remarkably strong. Miss Jack showed the greater activity, and won by her superior steadiness.
--

"The All-Comers' Final was played on Friday [July 4th], and as it was known that Mrs Blanche Hillyard would not defend her title the match invested with all the importance of the championship round.

"Miss Jacks started very well, and the game was called at 4-2 in her favour. Miss Rice appeared to lack confidence, her returns being short. After the sixth game she steadily improved, and won ten out of the next eleven games. The last four games of the match were all won to love, one by Miss Jacks and three by Miss Rice.

"By her victory, Miss Rice becomes lady champion, and has the distinction of being the first lady to carry the title to Ireland. The winner won 58 strokes and lost 42."
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
1891

Dates: June 29-July (the Ladies event started July 6)
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

Singles
(Draw=9)

Holder Lena Rice isn't defending her title this year.

1st Round

Helen Jackson d. Maud Shackle 6-4 7-5

Quarterfinals

Lottie Dod d. Mrs. Roberts 6-0 6-0
Bertha Steedman d. Helen Jackson 6-2 6-2
May Langrishe d. May Jacks 11-9 6-3
Blanche Hillyard d. Ruth Legh 6-3 6-2

Semifinals

Lottie Dod d. Steedman 6-3 6-1
Hillyard d. Langrishe 6-4 6-1

Final

Lottie Dod d. Blanche Hillyard 6-2 6-1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Draw notes
:

Barrett uses "Mrs Parsons" in place of Mrs Roberts. Both the London Times and Alan Little use Mrs Roberts however, so we use her name here. In Alan Little's book on Dod he Roberts was "a visitor from India."

The draw is made on Saturday, July 4, in the Pavilion. The custom in the early days was for the ladies matches to commence at 3:30 "punctually".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources
:

The London Times

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From "Pastime", July 8, 1891:

"Yesterday afternoon Miss Helen Jackson and Miss Maud Shackle commenced their match in the first round of the ladies' singles, but the score had only reached 4-3 in Miss Jackson's favour when rain came down in torrents and completely put a stop to play for over an hour. When the weather at length began to clear there was some discussion as to what was to be done, the centre court (which had been covered with tarpaulins as usual) being the only one available. At length it was decided to abandon the doubles for the day and go on with the ladies' matches.

"It was nearly 5.30 when Miss Jackson and Miss Shackle resumed their match. Miss Shackle won the opening game, making the score four-all, but Miss Jackson, by some fairly severe play, scored the next two and the set.

"The second set was somewhat uneven, no less than four love games being scored in the first seven (three by Miss Jackson and one by Miss Shackle). Miss Shackle occasionally put in some of her hard drives, but as a rule her strokes were not severe, though of a fairly good length. Miss Jackson's returns were far neater, and her backhand, to which her opponent played principally, very fairly safe.

"Miss Shackle lost a good chance of making the score 5-4 in her favour by serving a double fault, but nevertheless managed to reach games-all. Miss Jackson also had some bad luck with a return which hit the net and rolled over at a critical time, and this, aided by some very steady and at times severe play, gave her the set at 7-5.

"Mrs Blanche Hillyard and Miss May Langrishe had an interesting encounter in the first set. The latter scored the first two games, but Mrs Hillyard soon got on level terms, and although she only won the set at 6-4 she seemed to have something in hand.
This was more or less shown by the result of the second set, in which her hitting became more severe, and her placing almost, if not quite, up to her old form. With the score at 4-1 in her favour the rain again came down, but as the match seemed likely to end soon, play went on through it all.

"Miss Langrishe got to 40-0 in the sixth game, but Mrs Hillyard drew level, and eventually won it after a number of deuces. The next was also a long game, and went like its predecessor to Mrs Hillyard, giving her the set and match. The winner played with great steadiness and good judgment all through the match, and her forehand drive was at times very severe and well placed. Her backhanders were safe but not brilliant. In contrast to her, Miss Langrishe played a soft but somewhat erratic game. Her backhand strokes were, as usual, extremely graceful, but her attempts to drive hard usually ended in disaster. Her service was very good, and she scored outright with it on more than one occasion."
--

From "Pastime", July 15, 1891: "Miss Bertha Steedman and Miss Helen Jackson, being a round behind, and in order to admit of the ladies' singles being finished on the same day as the gentlemen's doubles, played their tie in the second round on Wednesday morning, the winner having to meet Miss Lottie Dod at 3.30 in the afternoon.

"Miss Steedman was in fine form, as was again proved later in the day, and Miss Jackson also did well, the score (6-2, 6-2 in Miss Steedman's favour) not indicating the true state of the match, for no fewer than six out of the eight games were at deuce in the second set. Both ladies hit fairly hard and placed well, but Miss Steedman's volleying, of which she made good use, proved a tremendous advantage to her and, in fact, won her the match.

"It must have been very consoling to Miss Jackson to see Miss Steedman make such a good fight against Miss Dod in the afternoon. This match was one of the prettiest which has taken place between ladies for some time. Both players did a good deal of volleying, and there was thus far more variety about the game than is usual in ladies' matches. On the baseline both hit hard and placed well, and it was particularly noticeable that a weak second service was almost invariably killed outright.

"Miss Steedman's best stroke was a hard forehand drive into her opponent's backhand court, but Miss Dod, besides making this stroke equally well, was a good bit stronger on the backhand. She also played with the greatest coolness, and kept such good position that she was never hurried. Miss Steedman wisely tried to force the game as much as possible, recognising the fact that soft strokes were of little avail against such a powerful antagonist. For this reason the rests were seldom very long, but considering that there was a gusty breeze blowing across the court, and that both ladies had to risk a good deal in order to pass each other at the net, the number of mistakes was remarkably small.

"The first set (won by Miss Dod at 6-3) was the closer, but Miss Steedman made a better fight in the second than the solitary game scored by her would indicate. In this game deuce was called no less than ten times before Miss Steedman won it. After this Miss Dod scored a love set, but three out of the six games were at deuce.
--

ACF: Lottie Dod d. Blanche Hillyard 6-2, 6-1

"The final was, though by no means close, a very interesting contest, as the play on both sides was remarkably certain and severe. The rests were shorter than is usually the case in good ladies' matches, but this was owing to the accurate placing of both the competitors, a very large number of the strokes being won by perfectly unreturnable deliveries.

"Miss Lottie Dod was distinctly stronger on the backhand, and she lost no opportunity of turning this to account by placing to her opponent's weak side and going up to the net, as well as by making many fine returns short across the court, which generally decided the rest.

"Mrs Hillyard won the second and third games of the first set, but the score was immediately brought level by four fine passes, which gave a love game to Miss Dod. Deuce was called in each of the three following games, but the eighth gave Miss Dod the set. In this game Mrs Hillyard scored a stroke with a volley, and in the last of the next set there was quite a long rest of volleys which ended in Miss Dod's favour. The only game scored by Mrs Hillyard in this set was the third, but she played her hardest to the end, and the fifth and seventh games were very long and evenly contested.

"Miss Dod showed a most wonderful power of returning the hardest drives, and sometimes scored when she seemed to have hopelessly lost position. The last stroke of the match was lost by an attempt at a smash by Mrs Hillyard when she had apparently an easy chance of bringing the score back to deuce, and a fair prospect of taking the game."
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
1892

Dates: June 27-July 7
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=7)

1st Round

Bertha Steedman d. 'Barefoot' 6-0 6-1
Maud Shackle d. Helen Jackson 6-3 6-4
Blanche Hillyard d. Beatrice Draffen 6-2 6-2
Louisa Martin (Ire)-bye

Semifinals

Shackle d. Steedman 6-4 6-3
Hillyard d. Martin 1-6 6-3 9-7

All Comers Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Maud Shackle 6-1 6-4

Challenge Round

Lottie Dod (holder) d. Blanche Hillyard 6-1 6-1

---------------------------------------------------

Draw notes:


Holder Lottie Dod "sat out" until the Challenge Round

'Barefoot' is a pseudonym.
Beatrice Draffen listed as Mrs GA Draffen.

Barrett has Mrs CA Martin in error. The Wimbledon site has "Miss A Martin." It is actually Louisa Martin, Irish champion. This is proven in many sources, Pastime providing a full match report.

---------------------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1892_LS_A4.pdf


Pastime [Thanks to Newmark for providing this]

---------------------------------------------------


Summary:

There is hope that the invincible Dod may be beaten. Earlier she lost in the Irish championship to Louise Martin. That was Lottie's first defeat since 1886! Martin lost in a close semi however, and Lottie easily rolled over Blanche in the Challenge Round match.

The semi between Martin and Hillyard is a corker:

From From ‘Pastime’, July 6, 1892:

"[...] The match on Centre Court was that between Blanche Hillyard, ex-champion, and Louisa Martin, the present Irish lady champion. The latter was not in the best of health, and had at one point contemplated scratching to her opponent. However, happily she decided to play, and the result was a very good and close match.

"Miss Martin began the service, and quickly showed that she was in capital form, for she easily won the first five games; Mrs Hillyard, whose opposition was not one is wont to expect from a player of her calibre, scoring but nine strokes. She took the sixth game, but lost the seventh to thirty, Miss Martin winning the set at 6-1, by twenty-seven strokes to fifteen.

"Almost exactly the reverse was seen in the second set. Mrs Hillyard gained the opening four games; Miss Martin then had a run of two, and after her opponent had won the seventh game she took the eighth. The next game, however, went to Mrs Hillyard, and with it the set at 6-3. Mrs Hillyard won thirty-one strokes, Miss Martin twenty-six. One set-all.

"The third set was a long one. Miss Martin led at 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4, scoring the last by a lucky ‘dribble’ over the net. Mrs Hillyard made the score five-all, and then Miss Martin gained the advantage, and after the score had been brought back to games-all the same player again took the advantage game. This was her last success, however, for although she reached 40-30 in the fifteenth game, and once gained the advantage point, Mrs Hillyard won this game and the next, the latter to love, and thus the set, at 9-7, and the match by two sets to one. Mrs Hillyard won sixty-two strokes, Miss Martin fifty-six.

"Total number of strokes to Mrs Hillyard, 108, to Miss Martin, 109, a somewhat curious result. The games were equally balanced, sixteen to either player. A closer match has probably never been played. Mrs Hillyard was showing very poor form in the opening set, but she improved as the match progressed, and when the pinch came played with her proverbial pluck and determination. On the other hand, Miss Martin began brilliantly, but fell off towards the end. It appeared as if she might with advantage have brought her well-known volleying powers into play more frequently than she did.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
1893

Dates: July 10-18
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=7, plus holder)

Champion Lottie Dod sits out until the Challenge Round.

First Round

Edith Austin d. S Robins 6-2 6-1
Maud Shackle d. Ruth Legh 10-8 6-1
Charlotte Cooper d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-4 6-1
Blanche Hillyard-bye.

Semifinals

Shackle d. Austin 6-0 6-2
Hillyard d. Cooper 6-3 6-1

All Comers Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Maud Shackle 6-3 6-2

Challenge Round

Lottie Dod (holder) d. Blanche Hillyard 6-8 6-1 6-4

---------------------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Cooper later played as Sterry.

Missing the full name for Miss S Robins.


---------------------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1893_LS_A4.pdf


---------------------------------------------------

Summary:

Hillyard tests Dod in the challenge round. Weeks before Wimbledon she had held 3 match points at Manchester, losing 6-3 3-6 7-5. This time she again falls in 3. A figure in white with her cricket cap secure on her head, Lottie moved about the court with her black stockings providing color. At the start of the third Lottie fell heavily. It was thought she might retire. However, she held on for her third straight crown. Lottie Dod never again played tennis competively. She went on to other sports, including golf, and archery, where she won a silver medal at the 1908 Olympics.

With a scant record of 9-0, Dod remains the only woman in tennis history NEVER to lose a grand slam match. In 11 year career she lost only 5 matches.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
1894

Dates: July 9-18
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=11)

1st Round

Blanche Hillyard-bye
L. Chatterton Clarke-bye
Constance Bryan d. Miss Snook 6-2 6-4
Beatrice Draffen d. Miss Morgan 6-2 6-2

Edith Austin-bye
Charlotte Cooper d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-2 6-3
S Robins-bye
Mrs. Edwardes-bye

Quarterfinals

Hillyard d. Clarke 6-1 6-0
Byran d. Draffen 6-3 7-5
Austin d. Cooper 6-1 3-6 6-3
Robins d. Edwardes 6-2 6-1

Semifinals

Hillyard d. Byran 6-1 6-1
Austin d. Robins 6-1 6-1

Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Edith Austin 6-1 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Draw note:

Defending champion Dod did not enter. The ladies final was on the 17th.

Missing full names for:

Miss L. Chatterton Clarke
Mrs Edwardes
Miss S Robins.
Miss Snook. There were many tennis playing Snook sisters. The two unmarried sisters in 1894 were Fanny and Mabel.

-----------------------------------------

Source:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1894_LS_A4.pdf
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
1895

Dates: July 8-15
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (Worple Road), London, England.
Surface: Grass
-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=9)

1st Round

Alice Pickering-bye
Maud Shackle-bye
Miss Bernard-bye
Helen Jackson d. Jane Corder 7-5 6-3

Charlotte Cooper-bye
Lottie Paterson-bye
Beatrice Draffen-bye
Henrietta Horncastle-bye

Quarterfinals


Pickering d. Shackle 3-6 6-3 6-3
Jackson d. Bernard 6-0 6-2
Cooper d. Paterson 6-3 9-11 6-2
Draffen d. Horncastle 6-2 6-0

Semifnals

Jackson d. Pickering 6-4 3-6 8-6
Cooper d. Draffen 6-2 6-8 6-1

Final

Charlotte Cooper d. Helen Jackson 7-5 8-6

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Missing name for Miss Bernard.

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1895_LS_A4.pdf

-----------------------------------------

Summary
:

Holder Blanche Hillyard does not defend.

This was the first of five singles titles at Wimbledon for Charlotte Cooper. Only seven other women have won more than five Wimbledon singles titles.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
1896

Dates: July 13-21
Venue: The All-England Lawn Tennis and croquet Club, Wimbledon, England
Surface: Grass


Singles
(Draw=6)

1st Round

Henrietta Horncastle-bye
Edith Austin d. Lotie Patterson 6-4 6-1
Alice Pickering d. 'Hungerford' 6-1 6-0
Beatrice Draffen-bye

Semifinals

E. Austin d. Horncastle default
Pickering d. Draffen 6-3 7-5

All Comers Final

Alice Pickering d. Edith Austin 4-6 6-3 6-3

Challenge Round

Charlotte Cooper (holder) d. Alice Pickering 6-2 6-3

---------------------------------------

Notes:

Defending champion Copper "sat out" until the Challenge Round.

'Hungerford' was an anonymous name. Ladies of this era often avoided publicity by giving aliases and not revealing birthdays or first names. Sporting ladies were still pioneers in the Victorian age, when some believed in the motto that a woman's name should appear in the newspaper only 3 times in her life:When she was born, when she was married, and when she died.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
1897

Dates: June 21-July 1
Venue: The All-England Lawn Tennis and croquet Club, Wimbledon, England
Surface: Grass
---------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=7, plus holder)

*Defending champ Charlotte Cooper sits out until challenge round.

1st Round

Henrietta Horncastle d. Ellen Thynne 12-10 6-4
Blanche Hillyard d. Edith Austin default
Ruth Dyas d. Edith Bromfield 6-0 6-3
Alice Pickering-bye

Semifinals

Hillyard d. Horncastle default
Pickering d. Dyas 6-4 4-6 6-1

All Comers final

Blanche Hillyard d. Alice Pickering 6-2 7-5

Challenge Round

Blanche Hillyard d. Charlotte Cooper (holder) 5-7 7-5 6-2

---------------------------------------

Draw notes:

The Challenge round match took place on June 28

Alice Pickering is listed as Mrs WH Pickering.
Ellen Thynne listed as Miss EM Thynne

---------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1897_LS_A4.pdf

2010 Wimbledon Compenduim. (p 78 provides dates of event)
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
1898

Dates: June 20-28
Venue: The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=18)

1st Round

C. Morgan-bye
Beryl Tulloch-bye
Ruth Pennington-Legh-bye
Henrietta Horncastle-bye
Louisa Martin (Ire)-bye
"Miss Ireland"-bye
Miss Hitchens-bye
ER Morgan d. Edith Bromfield 8-6 4-6 8-6

Edith Austin d. Amy Kirby 7-5 6-2
Ellen Thynne-bye
Ruth Dyas (Ire)-bye
Alice Pickering-bye
Mrs. H. I. Harper-bye
Bertha Steedman-bye
Helen Smythe-bye
Charlotte Cooper-bye

Second Round

C. Morgan d. Tulloch 6-4 6-2
Legh d. Horncastle 6-2 6-2
Martin d. 'Ireland' default
ER Morgan d. Hitchins 6-1 6-1

Austin d. Thynne 6-1 6-0
Dyas d. Pickering 8-6 2-6 6-4
Steedman d. Harper 6-1 6-2
Cooper d. Smythe 6-2 6-4

Quarterfinals

Legh d. C. Morgan 6-0 6-1
Martin d. ER Morgan 6-2 6-0
Austin d. Dyas 4-6 6-3 6-4
Cooper d. Steedman 4-6 6-3 6-4

Semifinals

Martin d. Legh default
Cooper d. Austin 6-4 6-1

Final

Charlotte Cooper d. Louisa Martin 6-4 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Missing full names for:

Mrs. H. I. Harper
Miss Hitchens
'Miss Ireland' (A pseudonym)
Miss C. Morgan
Miss ER Morgan

-----------------------------------------

Sources:
http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1898_LS_A4.pdf
American Lawn Tennis (v1, n8, page 119)

-----------------------------------------

Summary:

There is no Challenge Round as holder Blanche Hillyard does not defend her title. At 18 entrants it is record draw for the singles. In 1897 only 7 entered. The women have turned a corner this year. From now on Wimbledon draws will gradually increase except for 1900.

American Lawn Tennis (v1, n8, page 119) sets the scene for the final, which was played on a Monday on centre court. Louisa Martin shoots out to 2-0 led. Cooper evens things up, never falling behind again. Martin has the more penetrating shots, but makes repeated erroes,especially off her backhand, which often flies long or in the net.

By contrast "Chattie" Cooper serves better than normal and finishes off many a rally at net. Martin has a point for 5-4 in the second set ans errs off a short ball.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
1899

Dates: June 19-27
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=17, plus holder)

1st Round

Ruth Winch d. C. Parsons-Smith 6-0 6-0

2nd Round

Muriel Robb d. Maud Garfit 6-3 2-6 6-4
Ruth Durlacher d. Ethel Tanner 6-0 6-0
Amy Kirby d. Alice Pickering 6-4 3-6 6-3
Bertha Steedman d. Winch 6-2 7-9 8-6

Blanche Hillyard d. Helen Smythe 6-3 6-0
Edith Austin d. Ursula Templeton 6-4 6-0
Beryl Tulloch d. 'Miss Ireland' 7-5 6-2
Edith Bromfield d. Ellen Thynne 7-5 5-7 6-2

Quarterfinals

Durlacher d. Robb 6-1 5-7 6-3
Steedman d. Kirby 4-6 6-2 6-2
Hillyard d. Austin 8-6 6-4
Tulloch d. Bronfield 3-6 6-2 6-1

Semifinals

Durlacher d. Steedman 6-4 6-2
Hillyard d. Tulloch 6-3 3-6 6-2

All-Comers Final

Blanche Hillyard d. Ruth Durlacher 7-5 6-8 6-1

Challenge Round


Blanche Hillyard d. Charlotte Cooper (holder) 6-2 6-3

-------------------------------------------------

Draw note
s

Durlacher was the married name of Ruth Dyas.
Mrs Ruth Winch=nee Ruth Pennington-Legh. She Married in February 1899.

This draw marks the Wimbledon debuts of the Englishwomen Muriel Robb and Maude Garfit, two future top-class players.

Missing full names for:

'Miss Ireland'
Miss C. Parsons-Smith

-------------------------------------------------

Sources
:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1899_LS_A4.pdf

-------------------------------------------------

Summary

This year was the inaugural women’s doubles event at Wimbledon. It would not have championship status until 1913. At this point in time the All England Women’s Doubles Championship was played during the Derbyshire Championships tournament in Buxton.

It was discontinued after 1907, then revived in 1913 with full championship status.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
1900

Dates: June 25-July 4
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass
-------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=16, plus holder)

1st Round

Muriel Robb d. Alice Pickering 6-3 6-4
Charlotte Cooper d. Henrietta Horncastle 7-5 6-2
Beryl Tulloch d. Helen Smythe 6-3 2-6 6-1
Edith Greville d. Edith Bromfield 5-7 6-4 6-3

Marion Jones (US) d. Ursula Templeton 6-3 6-4
Ellen Evered d. Toupie Lowther 6-3 9-7
Dorthea Douglass d. M.W. Fisher default
Louise Martin d. 'Miss Ireland' 6-4 6-3

Quarterfinals

Cooper d. Robb 6-3 9-7
Greville d. Tulloch 7-5 6-0
Evered d. Jones 7-5 6-2
Martin d. Douglass 6-4 6-3

Semifinals

Cooper d. Greville 6-1 6-2
Martin d. Evered 6-0 6-2

All-Comer's Final

Charlotte Cooper d. Louisa Martin 8-6 5-7 6-1

Challenge Round Final


Blanche Hillyard d. Charlotte Cooper 4-6 6-4 6-4

-------------------------------

Draw Notes:

The first Wimbledon of Dorothea Douglass (later Chambers), the greatest of the pre-World War women with 7 Wimbledons.

Mrs GE Evered=nee Ellen Thynne

Greville=Married name of Austin.
Marion Jones, American champion, becomes the first non-British female to compete at Wimbledon.

Missing full names for:

Miss M.W. Fisher
'Miss Ireland'

-------------------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1900_LS_A4.pdf

2010 Wimbledon Compendium, p. 78 (provides dates)

-------------------------------------------------

Summary:

Hillyard and Cooper have been swapping wins until now. On July 3 Hillyard wins a nip and tuck three set thriller. Blanche is the first repeat champion in some time, Cooper having won it in 1895-1896.

This was the inaugural edition of the mixed doubles event at Wimbledon. Although it has continued indefinitely since then, it did not acquire full championship status until 1913. At this point in time the All England Mixed Doubles Championship was played during the Northern Championships tournament, held alternately in Liverpool and Manchester.
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
1901

Dates: June 24-July 3
Venue: All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

---------------------------

Singles (Draw=30, plus holder)

1st Round

Toni Popp (Ger)-bye
Edith Greville d. Connie Meyer 6-1 6-0
Louisa Martin (Ire) d. M Chatterton default
Adelaide Barry (Ire) d. C.B. Bell 6-3 6-0
E. Monckton d. A. Bell 8-6 7-5
Agatha Morton d. Edith Johnson 6-2 6-2
Alice Pickering d. Ellen Stawell-Brown 6-8 6-2 6-1
Toupie Lowther d. Miss Francis default

Ellen Evered d. Henrietta Horncastle default
Muriel Robb d. Ruth Winch 7-9 6-4 6-4
Dorothea Douglass d. Edith Bromfield 7-9 6-1 6-3
Charlotte Sterry d. Ruth Durlacher (Ire) 6-2 6-4
Harriet Hughes D'Aath d. Beryl Tulloch 6-3 6-2
C. Parsons-Smith d. C. Webber default
Countess Clara von der Schulenburg (Ger) d. A Martin 6-0 6-0
D. Slater-bye

Second Round

Greville d. Popp 6-0 6-1
Martin d. Barry 6-4 4-6 6-1
Morton d. Monckton 6-1 6-2
Pickering d. Lowther 7-5 6-1

Robb d. Evered 6-3 4-6 6-3
Sterry d. Douglass 6-4 6-2
D'Eath d. Parsons-Smith default
Schulenburg d. Slater default

Quarterfinals

Martin d. Greville 4-6 6-3 6-4
Morton d. Pickering 6-3 7-5
Sterry d. Robb 6-0 6-0
Schulenburg d. D'Eath 6-1 6-0

Semifinals

Martin d. Morton 7-5 6-2
Sterry d. Schulenburg 6-1 6-1

All Comers-Final

Charlotte Sterry d. Louisa Martin 6-3 6-4

Challenge Round Final

Charlotte Sterry d. Blanche Hillyard (holder) 6-2 6-2

Hillyard (near court) lost to Sterry (back of the court)



---------------------------

Draw notes:

Defender Blanche Hilyard "sits" until Challenge Round final. Ladies singles began on June 26.

The Wimbledon site uses Hughes D'Eath (and not Hughes D'Aeth). Geneology records are consistent in using D'Aeth.

The "Mme Popp" on the Wimbledon site is in fact Toni Popp of Germany.

Countess Clara von der Schulenburg played as 'Adams'. Thanks to Elegos, LKK, and Newmark for helping to solve the identity of 'Adams'

Missing full names for:


Miss A. Bell
Miss C.B. Bell
Mrs M Chatterton
Miss Francis
A. Martin (Could she be related to Louisa Martin? She was not a sister, as Louisa sister Agatha was married by this date.)
Miss E. Monckton
Miss C. Parsons-Smith
Miss D. Slater
Miss C. Webber

---------------------------

Sources:

"Miss Adams” – a revolutionary theory on the identity of an unknown tennis player - TennisForum.com


The London Times


http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1901_LS_A4.pdf

---------------------------

Summary:

From "Lawn Tennis and Croquet", July 3, 1901:

"'Miss Adams', a visitor from the Continent, is a steady baseline player with some volleying power, good backhand and forehand drives and considerable mastery of the ball. Unfortunately she had the most uninteresting draw [at Wimbledon] - a walkover and two very easy ties before she met Mrs Sterry."

From the same edition of "Lawn Tennis and Croquet":

"'Miss Adams' has never before played on grass courts, and was not quite at home with their slowness compared with the very fast courts she is acquainted to. She hails from the Continent, where she is by far the best lady player."
 
#169 ·
Re: 1901

Draw=30 *Defender Blanche Hilyard "sits" until Challenge Round final.
-----------------------------------
First Round

Mrs. Popp (Frn) bye
Edith Greville d. CH Meyer 6-1 6-0
Louise Martin d. M. Chatterton default
Adelaide Barry d. C.B. Bell 6-3 6-0

E. Monckton d. A. Bell 8-6 7-5
Agatha Moton d. Edith Johnson 6-2 6-2
Alice Pickering d. Ellen Stawell-Brown 6-8 6-2 6-1
T. Lowther d. Miss Francis default

G.E. Evered d. Henriette Horncastle default
Muriel Robb d. Ruth Winch 7-9 6-4 6-4
Dorothea Douglass d. E.J. Bromfield 7-9 6-1 6-3
Charlotte Sterry d. Ruth Durlacher (Ire) 6-2 6-4

Hughes D'Eath d. B. Tulloch 6-3 6-2
C. Parsons-Smith d. C.Webber default
Adams d. Andre Martin (Canada) 6-0 6-0
D. Slater bye

Second Round
Greville d. Popp 6-0 6-1
Martin d. Barry 6-4 4-6 6-1
Morton d. Monckton 6-1 6-2
Pickering d. Lowther 7-5 6-1

Robb d. Evered 6-3 4-6 6-3
Sterry d. Douglass 6-4 6-2
D'Eath d. Parsons-Smith default
Adams d. Slater default

Quarters
Martin d. Greville 4-6 6-3 6-4
Morton d. Pickering 6-3 7-5
Sterry d. Robb 6-0 6-0
Adams d. D'Eath 6-1 6-0

Semis
Martin d. Morton 7-5 6-2
Sterry d. Adams 6-1 6-1

All Comers-Final
Sterry d. Martin 6-3 6-4

Challenge Round Final
Sterry d. Blanche Hillyard 6-2 6-2
Andree Martin from Canada was active in the 1960s and 1970s, is it her namesake in the draw, or it's a mistake ?
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
1902

Dates: June 23 to July 2
Venue: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club,Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

------------------------------

Singles (Draw=22, plus holder Sterry)

First Round

Hilda Lane-bye
Blanche Hillyard-bye
Muriel Robb-bye
Edith Bromfield-bye
E. Godfrey-bye
Dorothea Douglass d. Henrietta Horncastle default
Ruth Durlacher d. Beryl Tulloch default
Alice Greene d. Ellen Stawell-Brown 6-1 6-3

Connie Meyer d. Edith Johnson default
Winifred Longhurst d. E. Burrill default
Agatha Morton d. Ethel Thompson 6-4 6-4
Phoebe Hausberg-bye
Edith Greville-bye
C.B.Bell-bye
Bertha Steedman-bye
Connie Wilson-bye

2nd Round

Lane d. Hillyard 6-2 6-8 9-7
Robb d. Bromfield 6-3 4-6 6-4
Douglass d. Godfrey default
Durlacher d. Greene 6-3 6-2

Longhurst d. Meyer 6-1 6-2
Morton d. Hausberg default
Greville d. Bell default
Steedman d. Wilson 6-3 8-10 6-4

Quarterfinals


Robb d. Lane 6-1 7-5
Douglass d. Durlacher 6-2 10-8
Morton d. Longhurst 6-3 6-4
Greville d. Steedman 6-1 3-6 6-2

Semifinals

Robb d. Douglass 6-4 2-6 9-7
Morton d. Greville 7-5 6-4

All-Comers Final

Muriel Robb Robb d. Agatha Morton 6-2 6-4

Challenge Round


Muriel Robb d. Charlotte Sterry (Holder) 7-5 6-1*

*replayed after splitting sets at 4-6 13-11 when rain halted play on the first day.

Miss Robb




------------------------------

Draw Notes

The ladies doubles and mixed events were still non-championship events in 1902.

There are Bells in the draw:

1. CB Bell in singles
2. A Bell in doubles
3. D Bell in mixed.

Missing full names for:

Miss CB Bell
Miss A Bell
D Bell
Miss E. Burrill
Miss E. Godfrey

------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1902_LS_A4.pdf

Wade, Virginia. Ladies of the Court: A Century Of Women At Wimbledon. p 22

------------------------------

Summary

Hilda Lane stuns Blanche Hillyard, opening up the draw.

Muriel Robb took advantage. After beating Lane in the quarters she wins over Douglass in the semis.There were 3 doubtful line calls that went against Douglass during her semi. Each call was at her advantage in the fourth game, which would have resulted in 3-1 lead in the third. Robb's powerful forehand pulls her through.

With this win Muriel Robb, from Newcastle in Northumberland, became the only player, male or female, to have won the four national championships of the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). No other player has ever repeated the feat.

The Challenge Round is replayed from the start after the women split sets with rain coming down. After losing the first set 4-6 Muriel eeks out the second at 13-11. The next day they start afresh rather than play out the third. Robb wins 7-5 6-1. If one counts the previous two sets this is the longest ladies final by games at 53.

Blanche Hillyard summed up Miss Robb: "The power she got on the ball was astonishing. Indeed fewer men have had a harder drive. Fortunately for her opponents she was a player who very decidedly had her days." (Ladies of the Court, p 22).

Sadly Robb never returns to Wimbledon, dying in 1907, aged only 28.

The following report on the Challenge Round in the women's singles event at Wimbledon in 1902 comes from the publication 'Lawn Tennis and Croquet' of July 9, 1902. This Challenge Round singles match was unique in that it was replayed completely after rain had washed out play on the first day with the score at one set-all, 4-6, 13-11, in favour of Muriel Robb (she saved one match point at 4-6, 4-5, 30-40). On the following day Robb won the replayed match 7-5, 6-1. It would be one of the last appearances in tournament play by the 24-year-old from Newcastle-upon-Tyne as ill health prematurely forced her out of the game.

The Championships

Final of the Ladies’ Singles

“Mrs Charlotte Sterry v. Miss Muriel Robb.–This match had been advertised for 2.30 on Tuesday, [July 2], and commenced very punctually. Miss Robb had given such a good account of herself during the tournament that she was expected to make a very good show against the championess of last year, though it came rather as a surprise to find her carry off the match and the championship.

“Theoretically, and on paper, Mrs Sterry made the best lady player since days of Miss Lottie Dod, for the simple reason that on her day she had command of a larger number of strokes, and was a volleyer of high order. She was an exponent who did not rely on merely one stroke, and was, therefore, a championess of resource. If one system of play failed her, she could adopt another.

“Now, our present championess so far strikes us as excellent in only one particular branch of play. She is essentially a baseline player, and owes her superiority above all to one of the finest forehand drives ever possessed by a lady – a drive whose severity was at times equal to, if not surpassing in pace, Sidney H. Smith’s. This gentleman, when taxed on the day of the contest at the similarity, himself asserted that he believed hers the faster. Not only did she excel in that particular, but she gave a glimpse, once at least, that though she relied on this one stroke to do her chief work there were great possibilities of becoming really first class in other directions. At the most critical moment for her in the match on Tuesday she came up and volleyed and did it so well that those who knew volleying was not her forte wondered if they saw aright.

“As regards the play on Tuesday Mrs Sterry started in fine style, making it look as if it would all soon be over. She reached the score of 4 games to 1 in her favour before Miss Robb warmed to her work. The next three games fell to the latter before Mrs Sterry could pull of the set.

“The second set commenced auspiciously for Mrs Sterry. She stood at 3 games to 1. Miss Robb again buckled to, and made it 3-all; 4-all was then called, and then 5-4, Mrs Sterry leads. The following game Mrs Sterry had her one real chance of retaining the cup, and Miss Robb furnished the one occasion when she showed that innate capacity to volley which we believe her to possess. 40-30 was called in favour of Mrs Sterry, and the next ace had she won it would have given her the match. She returned a short ball, which made Miss Robb run in. Instead of retiring after her stroke as formerly, the latter remained in, and Mrs Sterry was kept busy getting up one after the other four hard hit and well-placed volleys off Miss Robb’s racket. The stroke ended by a good smash from Miss Robb placed short on the line to Mrs Sterry’s backhand. The game then fell to Miss Robb, 5-all was called, and Mrs Sterry’s chance gone.

“At 10-9 Miss Robb was 40-15 in her favour, but Mrs Sterry pluckily prevented the game and set falling then. The defeat, however, was only averted, and finally ended after much excitement at 13-11 to Miss Robb. No sooner was it finished than the rain fell, and the match had to be postponed till the following day. It was decided that the whole match should be replayed.

“At the same time, therefore, the next day, the game commenced, and was, in fact, but a replica of the former day’s play, with the exception that the difference in the two ladies’ play was exaggerated. Miss Robb was seen to play even better; Mrs Sterry had lost her firmness of stroke, and was shorter in the length of her returns. Miss Robb’s drives were magnificent, and she was much more certain, not throwing away any chances. Where her drives had frequently gone into the net the day before they now were safe to find the spot meant for them.

“Mrs Sterry was kept running backwards and forwards with greater vigour than ever. The game for the latter to have played should have been to run in on every chance to the net and volleyed. But this looked impossible for three reasons. Firstly, she got but few chances as Miss Robb’s driving was so magnificent that it kept her back; secondly, Mrs Sterry was forced to send short-length balls in return; thirdly, Mrs Sterry was ‘off’ her volleying game, and when on the very few occasions she did go up she ‘foozled’ the ball (to use a golfing phrase) or was passed. This disheartened her for that game, and she gave it up, though it was just possible that had she persevered she might have broken the backbone of Miss Robb’s driving, though it would have cost her many aces and games first.

“One noticeable feature about the game was the cheerful and persevering manner with which Mrs Sterry stuck to her work. Hers was a defensive game throughout, and it is always the most difficult and heartrending to play. Again Miss Robb’s backhand strokes have improved wonderfully. Hitherto, though generally considered safe, she had but little ‘sting’ in them, and was always a little inclined to run round the ball. On Tuesday and Wednesday she scored frequently with her backhand, at times getting a lot of pace on the ball.

“In conclusion it may be said that the best player won on the day, and that Miss Robb with continued practice, and not resting on her laurels as so many champions of the past have done, with the cultivation of volleying and a fostering care of her fine drive, might repeat her performance once more. Why not? If she can beat Miss Edith Bromfield, Miss Hilda Lane, Miss Dorothea Douglass, Miss Agnes Morton and Mrs Sterry in one week, and in succession, she can do still more in the future.”
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
1903

Dates: June 22-JUly 7
Venue: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club,Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

Singles (Draw=28)


1st Round


Toupie Lowther-bye
Winifred Longhurst-bye
E. Walter d. Bertha Steedman default
Agatha Morton d. Connie Meyer 6-1 6-3
Hilda Lane d. Ellen Stawell-Brown 6-2 8-6
Gertrude Houselander d. M Stoneham 6-1 6-1
Violet Pinkney d. A. Bell retired (at 0-0?)
Dorothea Douglass d. Mrs. Riseley default

Constance Wilson d. Edith Greville 1-6 6-2 6-3
L. Ripley d. Mrs M. Chatterton default
E. L. Bosworth d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-1 6-1
Ethel Thomson d. Beryl Tulloch 6-3 6-2
Helen Smythe d. C.B. Bell default
Edith Bromfield d. Edith Longhurst 6-3 6-3
Alice Greene-bye
Mrs. Newton-bye

2nd round


Lowther d. W Longhurst 8-6 6-2
Morton d. Walter 6-2 6-2
Houselander d. Lane 1-6 6-1 9-7
Douglass d. Pinckney default

Wilson d. Ripley 6-2 6-1
Thompson d. Bosworth 6-4 6-1
Bromfield d. Smythe 6-0 6-2
Greene d. Newton 6-1 6-2

Quarterfinals

Lowther d. Morton 6-1 6-0
Douglass d. Houselander 6-2 6-0
Thomson d. Wilson 6-4 8-6
Greene d. Bromfield 6-0 4-6 6-3

Semifinals


Douglass d. Lowther 6-4 6-2
Thomson d. Greene 6-3 6-1

Final

Dorothea Douglass d. Ethel Thomson 4-6 6-4 6-2

-----------------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Missing full names for:

Miss A. Bell
Miss C. B. Bell
Miss E. L. Bosworth
Mrs M. Chatterton
Mrs. Newton
Miss L. Ripley
Mrs Riseley probably=http://www.tennisforum.com/51651146-post3223.html
Miss M. Stoneham (as per Wimbledon site. Other results have her as Miss M. Stonham)
Miss E. Walter

-----------------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1903_LS_A4.pdf

Lawn Tennis and Badminton

Thanks to Newmark for the match report from the final.

-----------------------------------------------

Summary
:

Douglass took advantage of "a lean entry" to win her first Wimbledon. Absentees included the holder Robb, and multiple winners Hillyard and Sterry (pregnant).

Ethel used "her teasing, screw underhand service and outstanding backhand returns" to blunt Dorothea's power at first.

From 4-4 in the second Douglass was in control, despite not being up to her usual standard. In pictures from 1903 Dorothea's long skirts swish just below her ankles.

A full match report of the final:

From 'Lawn Tennis and Badminton', July 8, 1903:

"This decided the championship as Miss Muriel Robb, the holder, was not defending the title. Though Miss Dorothea Douglass won, Miss Ethel Thomson nearly effected a surprise, as at one time she was a set up, with four games-all in the next, and the audience began to wonder if, after all, the prophets were to be deceivers. The Devonshire lady placed beautifully down the lines or across the court, and the balls came at a surprising pace, apparently being hit with only a moderately hard stroke.

"Several times Miss Douglass failed to get within yards of a cross shot, and it was only her imperturbable steadiness and judgment that slowly gained the upper hand. Towards the end Miss Thomson failed over some of the easier ones, but the more difficult balls came back with interest. Miss Douglass was as she was against Miss Toupie Lowther, seeming unable to go for her forehand drive, while the backhand was weak, except when lobbing, which she did with great effect just out of Miss Thomson's reach whenever the latter came up to the net.

"Miss Douglass started serving, and the first three games went with the service, but then the favourite secured the next two, and the score was 4-1, Miss Douglass leads. Miss Thomson, however, took five in succession, and so the set at 6-4. She continued the run by winning the next two games, but her opponent's effort was good enough to turn the tables, and soon the umpire announced 4-2, Miss Douglass leads. Miss Thomson made it four-all, but lost the next two, the ninth going to Miss Douglass on her excellent service. Set-all.

"In the third set Miss Thomson had to be content with the second and third games, Miss Douglass taking the first one and the last five, two of them after the score had been called 40-0 against her.

"Miss Douglass, as has been said, was hardly at her best, the cut service and drive seeming to bother her, swerving as they did in the air and then keeping very low off the ground. Miss Thomson played beautifully at the start, but failed to keep it up at the end of the second set. She was very near to victory, so that the next meeting of these two expert exponents will be most interesting. Perhaps with the confidence born of victory Miss Douglass will score a decisive victory, as many of her supporters expected her to do so in the above match, but in which she never got really going with any force, being mostly content to let Miss Thomson do the scoring for both sides."

The doubles and mixed events did not have championships status until 1913.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
1904

Dates: June 20-29
Venure: The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------

Singles (Draw-41, plus holder)


Holder Dorothea Douglass "sits out" until Challenge Round final.

1st Round

Charlotte Sterry-bye
Lucy Ransome-bye
Beryl Tulloch-bye
Mrs. MacCauley-bye
Edith Greville-bye
Edith Bromfield-bye
Adine Masson (Fra)-bye
S. Benton-bye

Violet Pinkney-bye
Marie Louise de Pfoeffel (Fra)-bye
Alice Greene-bye
Hilda Lane d. C.B. Bell 6-1 6-0
Edith Johnson d. M. Taplin 6-2 5-7 7-5
Ruth Winch d. Ellen Stawell-Brown 4-6 6-3 7-5
Mrs M. Chatterton d. Connie Meyer default
Mabel Squire d. Maud Banks (US) 6-0 6-2

Dora Boothby d. Maud Brown 6-3 6-2
Winifred Longhurst d. L. Flemmech 6-1 6-0
Aurea Farrington d. Mrs. Albury 6-2 6-3
Blanche Hillyard d. K. Kentish 6-0 6-2
Ethel Thomson-bye
L. Ripley-bye
Agatha Morton-bye
Henrietta Horncastle-bye

Constance Wilson-bye
Margherita de Robiglio (Fra)-bye
Amy Mooijaart-bye
Phoebe Hausberg-bye
E.L. Bosworth-bye
Mrs G.D. Driver-bye
E.E.Sargeant-bye
Amy Ransome-bye

2nd Round

Sterry d. L.Ransome default
Tulloch d. MacCauley 2-6 6-0 6-0
Greville d. Bromfield default
Masson d. Benton 6-2 6-3
Pinckney d. Pfoeffel 6-0 6-3
Greene d. Lane 4-6 7-5 6-1
Winch d. Johnson 6-1 6-0
Squire d. Chatterton default

Longhurst d. Boothby 6-2 8-6
Hillyard d. Farrington 6-0 6-1
Thomson d. Ripley 6-0 6-1
Morton d. Horncastle 6-1 6-0
Wilson d. de Robiglio 8-6 1-6 retired
Mooijaart d. Hausberg default
Bosworth d. Driver default
Sargeant d. A.Ransome 0-6 7-5 6-4

3rd Round

Sterry d. Tulloch 6-2 6-2
Greville d. Masson 6-0 6-1
Greene d. Pinckney 6-2 3-6 6-3
Winch d. Squire 6-3 6-3

Longhurst d. Hillyard 6-0 6-0
Morton d. Thomson 8-6 2-6 8-6
Wilson d. Mooijart 6-4 6-0
Bosworth d. Sargeant 7-5 6-2

Quarterfinals

Sterry d. Greville 8-6 9-7
Greene d. Winch 6-4 6-4
Morton d. Longhurst 6-1 6-4
Wilson d. Bosworth 6-3 6-4

Semifinals

Sterry d. Greene 6-2 6-1
Morton d. Wilson 3-6 6-4 8-6

All Comers Final


Charlotte Sterry d. Agnes Morton 6-3 6-3

Challenge Round

Dorothea Douglass (holder) d. Charlotte Sterry 6-0 6-3

-----------------------------

Draw Notes
:

Miss M. Banks=Maud Banks, an American tennis player who emigrated to England with her family in the early 1900s.
M. E. Brown=Maud Brown
L Flemich=Ellen or Eliza-both had middle initials that started with "L".

The Flemmich sisters were of Dutch origin. One entered Wimbledon in 1904. They both played at Wimbledon in 1905. They are virtually impossible to distinguish from each other because they were listed in draws variously as "E. Flemmich", "L. Flemmich", "E.L. Flemmich", etc.

Missing full names for:

Mrs. Albury
Miss S. Benton
Miss C. B. Bell
Mrs M. Chatterton
Mrs G. D. Driver=possibly the Mrs Dudley Driver from an earlier draw in this year.
Miss L. Flemmich (see detailed exposition above)
Miss K. Kentish
Mrs MacCauley
E.E.Sargeant

-----------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1904_LS_A4.pdf
-----------------------------

Summary

Three French challengers who are unused to grass fall early. Douglass wins the Challenge Round easily, her volleying and smashing showing noticeable improvement. "When Charlotte Sterry got to the net she was either passed like a flash of lightening or the ball bounded out of court by the sheer force of the impact."

Douglass finally reversed her losing streak vs. Sterry, winning all 6 encounters in 1904. In fact, Douglass was unbeaten in 9 tournaments for the year.

Neither the doubles nor the mixed are championship level events
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
1905

Dates: June 26-July 7
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, (Worple Road), London, England
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=47, plus holder)

Holder Dorothea Douglass "sits out" until Challenge Round.

First Round

Helen Harper-bye
Dora Armstrong-bye
Madeline O'Neil bye
C.B.Bell-bye
Alice Greene-bye
Edith Greville-bye
Agatha Morton-bye
Mrs. MacCauley-bye

Winifred Longhurst-bye
D. Spencer d. Henrietta Horncastle default
May Sutton (US) d. Nora Meyer 6-0 6-0
Ellen Stawell-Brown d. Aurea Farrington 6-3 6-1
Mildred Coles d. E. Flemmich 6-1 6-2
E.E.Sargeant d. Amy Ransome 6-1 6-0
Ethel Thomson d. Frieda Meyer 7-5 6-4
Mrs P. M. Morton d. Violet Pinckney default

Beryl Tulloch d. K.Kentish default
L. Ripley d. Mrs. Albury 6-0 5-7 6-3
Hilda Lane d. E. Smith 9-7 6-8 6-4
Blanche Hillyard d. Maud Banks (US) 6-0 6-0
Lottie Patterson d. M. Taplin 6-1 6-3
Gertrude Houselander d. Maud Brown 6-1 6-3
Dora Boothby-bye
L. Flemmich-bye

Connie Meyer-bye
Phoebe Hausberg-bye
Bertha Holder-bye
Edith Johnson-bye
Mabel Squire-bye
D. Taplin-bye
Connie Wilson-bye
Amy Mooijaart-bye

2nd Round

Harper d. Armstrong default
O'Neil d. Bell default
Greene d. Greville default
A. Morton d. MacCauley 6-2 6-1
Longhurst d. Spencer 6-2 6-0
Sutton d. Stawell-Brown 6-3 6-1
Coles d. Sargeant 7-5 6-3
Thomson d. P. Morton 6-2 6-0

Tulloch d. Ripley 7-5 6-3
Hillyard d. Lane 6-3 6-2
Patterson d. Houselander 4-6 6-1 12-10
Boothby d. L. Flemmich 6-2 6-4
Meyer d. Hausberg default
Holder d. Johnson 6-3 6-1
Squire d. D. Taplin 6-1 6-1
Wilson d. Mooijaart 6-2 6-0

3rd Round

Harper d. O'Neil 6-2 6-2
A.Morton d. Greene 7-5 6-4
Sutton d. Longhurst 6-3 6-1
Thomson d. Coles 6-2 6-0

Hillyard d. Tulloch 6-0 6-8 7-5
Boothby d. Patterson 3-6 6-3 6-3
Holder d. Meyer 8-6 2-6 6-4
Wilson d. Squire default

Quarterfinals

Morton d. Harper 6-2 6-4
Sutton d. Thomson 8-6 6-1
Hillyard d. Boothby 6-3 6-2
Wilson d. Holder 6-2 6-0

Semifinals

Sutton d. Morton 6-4 6-0
Wilson d. Hillyard 7-5 9-11 6-2

All Comers Final

May Sutton (US) d. Connie Wilson 6-3 8-6

Challenge Round


May Sutton (US) d. Dorothea Douglass (holder) 6-3 6-4

----------------------------------------------

Summary

An American shocks the All England Club by smashing through all to become the first foreign female to reign as Wimbledon champion. True, she is English born, but this brash young girl called May Sutton is an entirely new sort of female lawn tennis prodigy.

Born in Plymouth in 1886, her family had emigrated to California in 1890. It was in the Western US that she learnt her whipped topspin shots. She boldly sailed for England in May of 1905, alone except for a letter of introduction from Marion Jones, the American who had entered Wimbledon in 1900. May stayed with the Hillyard family to get used to English conditions. The Hillyards thought the heftly May would be too slow around the court, but she proved them wrong by winning her first event at Manchester.

At Wimbledon "spectators were shocked to see her ignore protocol and play with the cuffs of her blouse rolled back, revealing bare wrists." May still wore the long skirt with a belt, but her blouse was more loosely fitted for better movement. In fact, she often wore her father's shirts for this reason. May topped off this ensemble with a headband, crowned with a large bow just above her forehead. Her stockings and shoes were all white.

Ethel Thomson used drop shots to build a 5-2 lead in the first set of her qf with Sutton until the Americans's superior driving wore her down at 8-6 6-1. Commenting on this match, Molla Bjurstedt Mallory said, "Mrs. Bundy (Miss May Sutton) is a hard and accurate driver; it was her driving that brought her the English championship, although she plays extremely well overhead when such play is needed. She drove so well that some of the English women thought they could break up her game if only they could dislodge her from the command of the drive. In the championship singles of 1905 Mrs. Larcombe (then Miss E. W. Thompson) planned to win from Miss Sutton with a volley game. She lured Miss Sutton to the net by a short, drop drive and then lobbed the return high to the base line; this gave her the chance to reach the net, where she caught Miss Sutton's return of the lob with a sharp cross-court volley for the ace. Miss Thompson won five out of the first seven games by these tactics, but she ran herself off her feet in the winning; she became feebler and feebler, while Miss Sutton was as fresh and strong as at the beginning. Having worn herself out, Miss Thompson lost all control and Miss Sutton ran out that set and then took the second set and the match without the least trouble. Possibly Miss Thompson might have won had she been able to keep up her starting pace but she went the way of all women volleyers. I am fairly certain that, some day, a girl will burst out with the ability to play the fast game through the course of two tournament sets; that girl will be, beyond question, a champion. But there is no sight of her as yet."

In the Challenge Round may beat Douglass 6-3 6-4. The holder was hampered by a wrist injury suffered in France 3 months earlier. She almost considered defaulting until "a course of electricity" allowed her to practice and compete.

"The rallies were sometimes long and exciting but when they were extended May invariably won the point with a crushing forehand drive. Her victory never seemed in doubt" after she dropped the first game. May hit continuously to Douglass's backhand to gain errors.

From “Lawn Tennis and Badminton”, July 12, 1905:

“A huge interested audience was gathered together in the centre court when Miss Douglass most pluckily, in spite of the troublesome pain to her right wrist, and consequent want of practice, started the match with a bad omen of what was to come – a double fault. Nevertheless she won the first game, which, however, was the only one she managed to capture for some time, as Miss Sutton, playing far better than we have seen her before, took the next five. Here, however, the holder made a determined effort, and, winning the next two games, caused the score to be called 5-3 in Miss Sutton’s favour. This, however, was unavailing, as the American, who was not to be denied, ran out a winner of the first set at 6-3.

“In the second and what proved to be the deciding set Miss Sutton, who played in relentless fashion on Miss Douglass’s backhand, placed the first three games to her credit before the latter lady, by dint of some good well-played services and telling drives, managed to win two games; she, however, lost the sixth game to 15, which gave Miss Sutton the useful lead of 4-2. In the next game, with Miss Sutton serving, the holder got to 40-30, but lost it, making the score 5-2 in favour of the challenger. Nothing daunted, she, however, although deuce was called in the next, won the game, and also the next, but this was her final effort, as she lost the next game to love and with it the set at 6-4.

“Thus for the first time the Ladies’ Championship has gone from this country. Miss Sutton’s service, which is not strong, was considerably better than her opponent’s, and she got it in consistently. There was little variety in the play, practically no lobbing and hardly a volley shot being attempted. The rallies were sometimes long and exciting, and when they were long Miss Sutton invariably carried off the point with a well and fiercely directed forehand drive. Absolute confidence and splendid condition marked Miss Sutton’s entire effort, and she seemed mistress of the situation from the first game of the second set.”

Although born in England, May Sutton was raised in the United States and in 1905 became the first overseas player to win a Wimbledon singles title. She won the title without the loss of a set, making her the first - and to this day still the only - player, male or female, to win both the US Championships and Wimbledon on her debut and in straight sets. In addition, she was still a teenager when she achieved both feats.

Note that the ladies doubles and mixed doubles are non-championship events.

-------------------------------------

Draw Notes

The draw of 48 – a record for the women's singles event at Wimbledon – features not only two pairs of sisters – the rather obscure E. Flemmich and L. Flemmich, and D. Taplin and M. Taplin – but also a set of three sisters. These are the Meyers, Cornelia ("Connie"), Frieda and Nora. They were German in origin.

O'Neill is the married name of the Englishwoman Madeline Fisher.

M. E. Brown=Maud Brown
H. I Harper=Helen Harper.
B. M. Holder=Bertha Holder
G. M. Houselander=Gertrude Houslander

Missing full names for:

Mrs. Albury
Miss C. B. Bell
Miss E. Flemmich (probably Ellen)
Miss L. Flemmich (probably Lina)
Miss K. Kentish
Mrs MacCauley
Mrs P. M. Morton
Miss L. Ripley
Miss E.E.Sargeant
Miss E. Smith
Miss D. Spencer
Miss D. Taplin
Miss M. Taplin

-------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1905_LS_A4.pdf
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
1906

Dates: June 25-July 5
Venue: The All-England Club, Worple Road, Wimbledon, London, England
Surface: Grass

Singles (Draw=48, plus holder)

Holder May Sutton "sits out" until the Challenge Round final.

First Round

Wilfred Longhurst-bye
R. Elliott-bye
Alice Greene-bye
M. Perceval-bye
Connie Meyer-bye
Maud Brown bye
Dorothea Douglass-bye
Ethel Thomson-bye

Dora Armstrong d. A. Andrews default
Beryl Tulloch d. Margaret Snowden 6-3 6-3
E.L. Bosworth d. S. Benton 6-1 6-2
I. Huleatt d. E. M. Mayne default
Frieda Meyer d. B. Rowlandson default
Blanche Hillyard d. Amy Mooijaart 6-0 6-0
Edith Johnson d. Helen Harper 6-4 6-4
Emily Hawker d. C.B. Bell 6-4 6-1

E.E. Sargeant d. Bertha Holder default
Violet Pinckney d. Edith Bromfield 6-0 3-6 7-5
Hilda Lane d. Winifred Slolock 6-1 6-1
Mildred Coles d. Gertrude Houselander 6-2 6-4
Agnes Morton d. May Bloxsome 6-1 6-1
Mabel Parton d. Mary Whyte 6-1 6-2
Charlotte Sterry d. Dora Boothby 8-6 6-2
Mrs P. M. Morton d. K. Kentish default

C. Bagenal-bye
L. Smith-bye
Toupie Lowther-bye
G. M. Carver-bye
Edith Greville-bye
Ruth Winch-bye
Gladys Eastlake-Smith-bye
Clare Cassel (US)-bye

2nd Round

Longhurst d. Elliott 6-2 6-3
Greene d. Perceval default
C. Meyer d. Brown 6-1 6-1
Douglass d. Thomson 6-2 6-1
Tulloch d. Armstrong default
Bosworth d. Huleatt 6-2 4-6 7-5
Hillyard d. F. Meyer 6-0 6-0
Johnson d. Hawker 6-1 6-4

Pinckney d. Sargeant 6-1 6-4
Lane d. Coles 6-3 6-2
A. Morton d. Parton 6-0 6-3
Sterry d. P. Morton 6-0 6-3
Bagenal d. Smith default
Lowther d. Carver 6-0 6-2
Greville d. Winch 6-2 6-2
Eastlake-Smith d. Cassel default

3rd Round

Longhurst d. Greene 7-5 6-4
Douglass d. C. Meyer 6-3 6-1
Tulloch d. Bosworth 6-0 6-3
Hillyard d. Johnson 6-3 6-4

Pinckney d. Lane 7-5 6-1
Sterry d. A. Morton 6-0 6-3
Lowther d. Bagenal 6-0 6-0
Eastlake-Smith d. Greville 6-2 6-3

Quarterfinals

Douglass d. Longhurst 6-4 6-3
Tulloch d. Hillyard 6-3 6-1
Sterry d. Pinckney 6-4 6-2
Lowther d. Eastlake-Smith 6-3 6-3

Semifinals

Douglass d. Tulloch 6-2 6-2
Sterry d. Lowther 4-6 8-6 6-4

All Comers Final

Dorothea Douglass d. Charlotte Sterry 6-2 6-2

Challenge Round


Dorothea Douglass d. May Sutton (holder) 6-3 9-7

------------------------

Summary

British papers have dubbed the defending Yank May Sutton, "The Pasadena Washerwoman" because of her shocking habit of exposing her arms. The prospect of Miss Douglass retaking her title stirs more excitement than usual for the ladies event.

Douglass bears down in 1906 and takes 10 titles, dropping only 2 sets all year. One of those wins is at Wimbledon, where she romps through the field. Over 4,000 show for a Thursday final (A capacity crowd at Worple Road) where Douglass beats the American. The second set is a thriller, Dorothea coming back from 0-4 to 5-4. In the 12th game Sutton saves 4 match points with "plucky play". "May Sutton, though hitting as hard as ever, couldn't control her strokes at the crucial stages." May's balls were flying long over the baseline, often by a foot. This is only May's second loss on British soil, both at the hands of Douglass.

From ‘Lawn Tennis and Badminton’, July 11, 1906:

“When the two above-named ladies made their appearance in the centre court there was an enormous gathering present, opportunity being taken to secure every coin of vantage to view the match. Miss Dorothea Douglass started off by annexing the first two games, but Miss May Sutton, who had begun somewhat hesitatingly, improved and caused the score to be called two-all. The next three games were taken by Miss Douglass, and though Miss Sutton won the eighth and got to 40-30 and had the advantage twice called in her favour, in the ninth Miss Douglass took the initial set at 6-3.

“Miss Douglass began in the next set somewhat cautiously, a fact of which the American lady was not slow to take advantage, and with the score at 4-0 in her favour, seemed to have that set well in hand. Here Miss Douglass, like the great exponent of the game she is, began slowly but surely to catch up her opponent, and in spite of a gallant resistance and many well-placed drives on the part of her opponent, made it 5-4 in her own favour.

“Miss Sutton equalised, only, however, to see Miss Douglass win the next to love, and get within a stroke of the match at 40-0 in the following game. With admirable coolness Miss Sutton went out grandly for her shot, and though Miss Douglass was in this game on no less than on four occasions within a stroke of the match, yet the fair American not only took the game, but winning the next stood at 7-6. Miss Douglass, however, nothing daunted by the way things had been going against her, played most determinedly, and appropriating the next three games, won a most exciting match by two sets to love.

“Miss Douglass unquestionably owed her victory to better judgment, greater accuracy and more consistent clever play, while Miss Sutton, excellent and powerful as her shots were, showed considerable lack of judgment in failing to correct her length, which she ought to have done when she found that she was continually hitting quite a foot beyond the baseline. Her pluck in literally pulling the game out of the fire in the second set will long be remembered, and she may rest assured will not easily be forgotten by those present. Both ladies at the conclusion deservedly met with a grand reception on the part of the spectators.”

Note that the doubles and mixed events were still not championship status.

-----------------------------

Draw notes

Helen I Harper
Emily Hawker=Mrs E. B. Hawker
Bertha M Holder
Curtis-Whyte is the first married name of the Scottish player Mary Gray. Parton is the first married name of the English player Mabel Squire.

Missing full names for:

Miss A. Andrews
Mrs C. Bagenal
Miss C. B. Bell
Miss S. Benton
Miss E. L. Bosworth
Miss G. M. Carver
Miss R. Elliott
Miss I. Huleatt
Miss K. Kentish
Miss E. M. Mayne
Mrs P. M. Morton
Miss M. Perceval. Possibly related to F.W. Perceval, who was in the men's doubles draw.
Miss B Rowlandson
Miss E.E. Sargeant
Miss L. Smith

-----------------------------

Source:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1906_LS_A4.pdf
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
1907

Dates: June 24-July 5
Venue: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Worple Road, Wimbledon.
Surface: Grass

------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=42)

1st Round

E. L. Bosworth-bye
Marjorie Boadle-bye
Jessie Coles-bye
May Bloxsome-bye
D. Johnston-bye
Violet Summerhayes (Can)-bye
Maud Brown-bye
Hilda Lane-bye

Amy Ransome-bye
Dorothy Boadle bye
Jessie Tripp bye
Constance Meyer d. F. Walter 6-3 6-2
May Sutton(US) d. Winifred Slolock 6-2 6-1
Toupie Lowther d. Dora Bothby 7-5 6-3
Agatha Morton d. Willy Klima (Aut) 6-0 6-2
Mildred Coles d. M. Taplin 6-2 6-2

Connie Wilson d. Dora Armstrong 6-1 6-1
E.E.Sargeant d. Violet Pinckney default
Ruth Durlacher d. P. C. Adams 6-3 6-1
Gladys Eastlake-Smith d. Charlotte Sterry 6-3 9-7
Madeline O'Neil d. Mita Klima (Aut) 6-1 6-2
Alice Greene-bye
Emily Hawker-bye
Winnifred Boadle-bye

Mabel Parton-bye
Miss Groombridge-bye
Blanche Hillyard-bye
Helen Harper-bye
Edith Johnson-bye
Mrs. Speck-bye
D. Taplin-bye
Betty Nutcombe-Quick-bye

2nd Round

Bosworth d. M.Boadle 6-1 6-3
J.Coles d. Bloxsome 7-5 6-3
D.Johnson d. Summerhayes 6-2 6-1
Brown d. Lane 5-7 8-6 8-6
Ransome d. M Boadle 6-4 7-5
Meyer d. Tripp 6-2 6-2
Sutton d. Lowther 6-4 6-4
Morton d. M. Coles 6-1 6-2

Wilson d. Sargeant 6-1 6-0
Eastlake-Smith d. Durlacher 1-6 6-1 6-4
Greene d. O'Neil 6-3 6-0
Hawker d. W. Boadle 6-1 6-3
Parton d. Groombridge 6-2 6-2
Hillyard d. Harper 6-1 6-1
E Johnson d. Speck 6-3 6-2
D Taplin d. Nutcombe-Quick default


3rd Round

Bosworth d. J. Coles 6-3 6-3
Brown d. Johnson 6-3 7-5
Meyer d. A. Ransome 8-6 6-4
Sutton d. Morton 6-0 6-2

Wilson d. Eastlake-Smith 6-1 6-4
Greene d. Hawker 6-1 6-2
Hillyard d. Parton 6-4 6-3
E. Johnson d. D Taplin 6-3 6-0

Quarterfinals

Bosworth d. Brown 6-1 6-2
Sutton d. Meyer 6-0 6-3
Wilson d. Greene 6-2 9-7
Hillyard d. E. Johnson 6-2 6-3

Semifinals

Sutton d. Bosworth 6-2 6-2
Wilson d. Hillyard 6-3 6-2

All Comers Final

May Sutton d. Connie Wilson 6-4 6-2

Challenge Round


May Sutton d. Dorothea Chambers (holder) 6-1 6-4

------------------------------------------

Summary

A record of 4 foreign entries. 2 Austrian sisters and a Canadian join May Sutton, out to reclaim her position as the world's unofficial #1. May had little trouble getting to the Challenge round, though Toupie Lowther led at 4-2 40 love in the second set in round 2. In the All Comers final Wilson made it a match. "Time and again she manoeuvred for the kill, only to volley into the net." It was closer than the 6-4 6-2 score suggests, as 11 of the 18 games went to deuce, Miss Wilson often having advantage point.

In the Challenge round Chambers appeared pale and anxious as her opponent "brimmed with confidence".
Chambers (Douglass had married in 1907) hammered away at May's weaker backhand, but this stroke had improved since last year. Sutton's shots cleared the net by only an inch or so with tremendous pace. At 1-3 in set 2 Chambers resorted to matching pace for pace and drew up to 4 all. Dorothea saved 3 match points before falling at 6-1 6-4. May Sutton finished 2-1 in their head-to-head meetings at Wimbledon.

In 1907 Chambers was still wearing sleeves that covered her wrists, a tie and belt added color to an all-white costume. May's sleeves were rolled above her elbow as usual. Both women look severe in hair buns and grim looks that proclaim they are ready to kill.

As a sidenote: Austrian Mita Klima becomes the youngest ever ladies singles competitor at the age of 13.

There was a tempest in a teapot when Mrs Hillyard wasn't allowed a proper time to digest an afternoon tea. The Wimbledon site takes up the tale

In 1907 Mrs Hillyard, who became a six time Champion, ate a ‘fearful’ tea when persistent rain stopped play: 2 Bath buns, 6 or 7 slices of bread and butter, 3 or 4 cups of tea, 6 or 7 biscuit cakes, 2 or 3 slices of other cake and 3 plates of strawberries. No sooner had she finished than the Referee requested her to play. She lost her semi-final match and complained bitterly to the Committee and the Daily Mail.
A detailed report on the Challenge Round from “Lawn Tennis and Badminton”, July 10, 1907

“Friday, July 5. In tardy reparation for its scandalous behaviour during the rest of the meeting, the sun shone out brightly during the whole of the last day’s play at Wimbledon. There was also a considerable wind, which was, perhaps, just as well, for a torrential downpour in the early morning had swamped the outside courts, though the centre court, under its protecting tarpaulin, had, of course, escaped. Here, promptly to time, Miss May Sutton and Mrs Lambert Chambers, respectively the challenger for and the holder of the Ladies’ Championship, stepped on to the court to renew their battles of 1905 and 1906, with a win apiece to their credit.

“But little confidence was felt as to the English lady’s ability to retain her title; and when she went on to the court she looked – and indeed was – ill, and her play betrayed the anxiety she felt at being England’s last hope; and at the same time not fit enough to do justice to herself or her country. Miss Sutton, on the contrary, was clearly brim full of confidence, and played right from the start as well as she has ever played, if not better. She soon had the first three games won, but then lost her service game against the wind – a game in which Mrs Lambert Chambers for the first time got into her true form, and kept Miss Sutton well on the run. Two beautiful drop shots and a fine service made the score in the next game 40-30 in Mrs Lambert Chambers’ favour, but Miss Sutton picked up again, won the game and the two next following, thus taking the first set at 6-1.

“Mrs Lambert Chambers played very well at the beginning of the second set, but Miss Sutton nevertheless soon led by three games to one. Then Mrs Lambert Chambers picked up a game, and was 40-30 in the next, but lost it. She won the sixth, but only after Miss Sutton had picked up to deuce from love-forty, and the eighth, making the score four-all. This was her last success, however, and Miss Sutton took the next two games, and the set and match, though in the tenth game she was thrice within a stroke of the match before she could win it.

“The winner was right at the very top of her game; both off the ground and in her volleys her shots were varied and admirable; her drives were very severe and kept at a most beautiful height, stroke after stroke clearing the net at tremendous speed by only an inch or so; her backhand shots were not only played hard, but well placed across the court, and though the play was mostly from the back of the court, she seldom failed to score when she got near enough in to volley.

“Mrs Lambert Chambers, as last year, hammered away at her opponent’s backhand, but the immense improvement made by Miss Sutton in that stroke rendered it far less advantageous to attack her there. Still, Mrs Lambert Chambers, even in defeat, displayed the better tactics, especially when, realising that she was playing too much on the defensive, she strove, in the second set, to put more pace on her returns; and if Miss Sutton could only borrow her opponent’s generalship to supplement her own strength and determination, there would be no lady in the world who would have even an outside chance against her.”

------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Maud Brown=M. E Brown
Emily Hawker=Mrs E. B. Hawker

Missing full names for

P. C. Adams (who plays mixed with S. H Adams, in all probability her brother)
Miss E.L. Bosworth
Miss Groombridge (her only entry at the Championships)
D. Johnston (note there is a P Johnston in the mixed-possibly her sister)
E.E.Sargeant
Mrs Speck
D. Taplin (probably sister of M Taplin)
M. Taplin (probably sister of D Taplin)
F. Walter (note that E Walter entered Wimbledon in 1903-is there a connection?)


------------------------------------------

Source:


http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1907_LS_A4.pdf
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
1908

Dates: June 22-July 1
Venue: The All-England Club, Wimbledon (on Worple Road)
Surface: Grass

----------------------

Singles (Draw=30)

1st Round

Dora Boothby-bye
Countess Clara Schulenburg (Ger) d. E.E. Sargeant 6-1 6-2
Mildred Coles d. Alice Greene 6-8 6-3 6-4
Violet Pinckney d. E.L. Bosworth 6-3 6-2
Ruth Winch d. Mary Whyte 6-4 6-2
Dorothea Chambers d. Mrs. Paine 6-0 6-0
Charlotte Sterry d. Mrs. JB Perrett 6-2 6-0
Connie Luard d. N. Stevens default

C.B. Bell d. Edith Boucher default
Agatha Morton d. Mabel Parton 2-6 6-0 6-2
Blanche Hillyard d. Edith Johnson 6-2 6-3
Beryl Tulloch d. Helen Harper 6-4 6-0
Madeline O'Neil d. Winifred McNair 4-6 6-0 6-3
Gladys Lamplough d. Amy Ransome 6-1 6-2
Agnes Tuckey d. Dora Armstrong 6-1 6-2
Lina Flemmich-bye

2nd Round

Boothby d. Schulenburg 5-7 6-3 6-1
Pinckney d. M. Coles 7-5 6-2
Chambers d. Winch 6-3 6-3
Sterry d. Luard 6-3 6-4

Morton d. Bell default
Tulloch d. Hillyard 7-5 3-6 6-4
Lamplough d. O'Neil 6-2 6-1
Tuckey d. L. Flemmich 7-5 6-1

Quarterfinals

Boothby d. Pinckney 6-1 6-4
Sterry d. Chambers 6-3 7-5
Morton d. Tulloch 7-5 6-1
Lamplough d. Tuckey 6-3 6-1

Semifinals

Sterry d. Boothby 6-2 6-4
Morton d. Lamplough 6-3 6-4

Final

Charlotte Sterry d. Agnes Morton 6-4 6-4

----------------------

Draw notes


L. Flemmich=Lina, as her sister was married by this date.
Lamplough=married name of Gladys Eastlake-Smith.
Luard=married name of Constance "Connie" Wilson

Missing full names for:

Miss C. B. Bell
Miss E.L. Bosworth
Mrs. Paine
Mrs. JB Perrett
Miss E. E.Sargeant
Miss N. Stevens

----------------------

Souces:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/1908_LS_A4.pdf

----------------------

Summary

Sterry gets her 5th Wimbledon after a gap of some years. The key to her win is a quarterfinal upset over Chambers. Charlotte still has the record as the oldest Wimbledon champion at age 37 and 9 months (291 days to be exact).

Sutton doesn't defend. She wouldn't return to Wimbledon until 1929. In a letter of 1908 to American Lawn Tennis she wrote that if the English "Wanted their cup back they could come here (America)." No Englishwoman took up the challenge.

A summary of play follows:

A surprising defeat of Alice Greene by Mildred Coles. Miss Greene never got going and never acquired that absolutely rock-like steadiness which has won her so many successes. Miss Coles, on the other hand played an exceptionally strong game, her service was a valuable asset and her drives too had a great deal of sting in them. However against Miss Pinckney her strokes were neither so powerful nor so safe and she fell an easy victim. Countess Schulenburg made a good fight against Miss Boothby and Miss B Tulloch added to her reputation by defeating Mrs Hillyard after a very closely-fought encounter. Mrs Sterry and Mrs Luard (Connie Wilson) played an excellent match. The cut which Mrs Sterry puts on almost every ball lends an appearance of softness to her strokes yet makes her length very hard to judge. Furthermore the low bound adds considerable difficulty to reaching and dealing with her drop shots. She placed the ball faultlessly and kept a very good length while making scarcely a single mistake on the volley. Mrs Luard always plays a graceful and distinguished game but has lost some of her severity. Against Mrs Lambert Chambers, Mrs Sterry not only maintained, but improved the form she had shown against Mrs Luard. She showed a most varied excellence of stroke while Mrs Lambert Chambers lacked versatility. Mrs Lambert Chambers hit hard and long whereas Mrs Sterry varied her pace and continually approached the net where she demonstrated wonderfully secure and clever volleying. Below her best, Mrs Lambert Chambers found her back-line game smothered by Mrs Sterry’s volleys.

In the final Mrs Sterry met a stubborn opponent in Miss Morton. Miss Morton has a strong forehand drive and repeatedly scored with some magnificent cross court driving which time after time flummexed Mrs Sterry along with some well played drop shots. Mrs Sterry not as good as she was against Mrs Lambert Chambers nevertheless played a very fine all round game in which her volleying as usual formed a conspicuous element. She also showed great coolness and pluck when she was pressed by the attack of a determined opponent.
 
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