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1897 results

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#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Results compiled by Mark Ryan, plus Elegos, Gee Tee, Andrew Tas and Rollo, and for the slams, Brian Stewart
The 1898 Spalding Tennis Annual was entirely covered.

Summary:

Miss Juliette Atkinson led American ladies tennis. She won the US Chmps in singles and doubles at Wissahickon, taking the Canadian International at Niagara to boot.


January to March

Date unknown, Natal Championship, Pietermaritzburg, SA

FI: Una Turnbull d. J. Hime 7-5 7-5

-----

January 15-21, Cannes Tournament, Cannes, France (Clay)
Venue: Beau-Site Hotel

FI: Miss Rooke d. ????*

"the three sand courts, admirably kept, were as level as a billiard table and perfectly drained." (Alan Little, Tennis on the French Riviera, p 18)

*The ladies singles was a handicap event.

-----

March 13-20, South Australian Championships, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (Grass)

Singles (Draw=4)

1R: Lillian Payne d. Alice Hone 6-2 6-3
1R: Maisie Parr d. Miss Brown 6-1 6-2

FI: Maisie Parr d. Lillian Payne default

Doubles


FI: Miss Brown/Maisie Parr d. Alice Hone/Lillian Payne 3-6 6-5 8-6


Mixed doubles (Draw=4)

1R: Alice Hone/Robert Bowen d. Maisie Parr/Dr Charles Halcomb 6-4 7-9 6-3
1R: Lillian Payne/William Lang d. Mrs Goldsmith/Roland Kelsey 6-2 6-1

FI: Alice Hone/Robert Bowen d. Lillian Payne/William Lang default.


An ill Lillian E Payne was unable to take part in the final match in the women’s singles and mixed doubles events. She was the defending champion in all 3 events.

Lilian Payne/Miss Wyatt were the holders of the women’s doubles title, but this year she partnered with Alice Hone. It is not known if the long doubles final contributed to her being sick.

Her mixed partner last year was Robert Bowen.

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March 15-21, Nice Lawn Tennis Championship, Nice, France (Clay)
Venue: Place Mozart

Handicap Singles (Draw=at least 3)


?R: Ruth Dyas (GB) d. Clara von der Schulenburg (Ger) ????

FI: Ruth Dyas (GB) d. Mildred Brooksmith (GB) ????

Other participants were Ruth Dyas and Contess Clara Schulenburg.

-----

March 22-30 Monte Carlo Championships, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Clay)
Venue: Hotel de Paris

Handicap Singles (Draw=at least 3)

SF: Countess Clara von der Schulenburg (Ger) d. Ruth Dyas (GB) ????

FI: Miss Miles d. Countess Clara von der Schulenburg (Ger) ????

A championship event for men only, as there were no open events for the ladies, who were limited to handicap events. These were "badly managed," according to Alan Little. Ruth Dyas had to give too big a handicap to stand any chance vs Countess Schulenburg.
 
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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

April

April 5-10, British Covered Courts Championships, London, England (Indoors on Wood)
Venue: Queen’s Club

Singles (Draw=3, plus holder)


1R: Ruth Dyas d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-3 6-1
1R: E. Wigram-bye

FI: Ruth Dyas d. E. Wigram 6-2 6-1

CR: Edith Austin (holder) d. Ruth Dyas 9-11 6-4 12-10

-----


April 17-22, Tasmanian Championship,Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Singles (Draw=6, plus holder)

1R: Amy Rex-bye
1R: Gertrude Swan d. Miss Maxwell 6-4 6-4
1R: Miss Bernard d. Mrs Chancellor 6-1 6-2
1R: H. Gibson-bye

SF: Swan d. Rex 6-2 6-4
SF: Gibson d. Bernard 2-6 6-2 6-1

FI: Gertrude Swan d. H. Gibson 6-0 61

CR: Gertrude Swan d. Nina Rock (holder) 6-2 6-2

There was also an open mixed doubles event at this tournament this year.
The results are not known at present.

-----

April 16-19, French Covered Court Championships, Paris, France (Indoors on Wood)
Venue: Tennis Club de Paris

SF: Adine Masson d. Edith Riseley (GB) 5-7 6-1 7-5
SF: Phoebe Hausburg (GB) d. Miss Rooke (GB) 4-6 6-4 6-1

FI: Adine Masson d. Phoebe Hausburg (GBR) 7-5 6-4

MX: Adine Masson/Robert B Hough (GB) d. Miss Rooke (GB)/Stanley Riseley (GB) 6-2 6-3

The three Riseley's were siblings. A fourth sibling, Frank Riseley (the best player in the family), was runner-up in the men's singles event at this tournament in 1897. The women's singles event at this tournament went into decline in the years circa 1898-1903.

Source: page 416 of La paume et le lawn-tennis by E. de Nanteuil, G. de Saint-Clair, C. Delahay, 1898.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

May

May 3-8, New South Wales Championships, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Grass)
Singles (Draw=3, plus the holder)

1R: Maisie Parr d. Miss Bremer 6-3 6-1
1R: Phoebe Howitt-bye

FI: Phoebe Howitt d. Maisie Parr 6-2 6-3

CR: Phoebe Howitt d. Kate Nunneley (NZ) (holder) 6-3 3-6 6-4

Doubles (Draw=3)


1R: Phoebe Howitt/Kate Nunneley (NZ) d. Miss Bremer/Miss Elliott 6-4 6-3
1R: Miss Dransfield/Maisie Parr-bye

FI: Phoebe Howitt/Kate Nunneley (NZ) d. Miss Dransfield/Maisie Parr 6-3 7-5

Mixed doubles (Draw=7)



1R: Miss Freeman/Archibald Windeyer-bye
1R: Phoebe Howitt/Alfred W. Dunlop d. Miss Elliott/Wright 6-1 6-3
1R: Miss Bremer/Dr Albert Curtis d. Miss Dransfield/Henry Crossman 6-3 6-3
1R: Kate Nunneley (NZ)/Edward Dewhurst d. Maisie Parr/Robert Bowen 4-6 8-6 6-3

SF: Howitt/Dunlop d. Freeman/Windeyer 8-6 6-2
SF: Nunneley/Dewhurst d. Bremer/Curtis 6-2 6-3

FI: Phoebe Howitt/Alfred W. Dunlop d. Kate Nunneley (NZ)/Edward Dewhurst 9-7 6-8 6-2

Howitt 'discovered that Nunneley's one weak spot was her backhand'


Phoebe Howitt/Mabel Shaw were the holders of the women’s doubles title.

The mixed doubles was a challenge round system, with Holders Mabel Shaw and Percy Colquhon not defending.


Draw note: Nunneley often went by the nickname of "Kay".

-----

May 24-31, Irish Championships, Dublin, Ireland (Grass)
Venue: Fitzwilliam Square.

Singles (Draw=8)

1R: Blanche Hillyard d. Miss Young 6-1 6-0
1R: Miss Arbuthnot d. Constance Bloxsome 6-3 7-5
1R: Charlotte Cooper d. Mrs Thompson 6-1 6-2
1R: Ruth Dyas d. Miss Birch 6-0 6-1

SF: Mrs Hillyard d. Arbuthnot 4-6 6-3 6-1
SF: Ruth Dyas d Charlotte Cooper (GB) 6-4 0-6 6-3

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Ruth Dyas 7-5 2-6 6-3

Doubles (Draw=4)

1R: Charlotte Cooper/Blanche Hillyard d. Miss Birch/Miss Young 6-0 6-1
1R: Ruth Dyas/Mrs Thompson d. Miss Arbuthnot/Constance Bloxsome 6-3 4-6 6-2

FI: Charlotte Cooper/Blanche Hillyard d. Ruth Dyas/Mrs Thompson 7-5 6-8 6-4
--

Mixed doubles (Draw=8)

1R: Blanche Hillyard/George Greville d. Ruth Dyas/Laurie Doherty 6-4 6-0
1R: Charlotte Cooper/Harold Mahony d. Miss Arbuthnot/Sidney Smith 4-6 6-0 8-6
1R: M. Golding/William Saint-George Perrott d. Miss Birch/Neville Durlacher 6-3 6-4
1R: Constance Bloxsome/Frank Riseley d. Miss Young/Walter Boyd 7-5 6-1

SF: Hillyard/Greville d. Cooper/Mahony 6-1 6-3
SF: Bloxsome/Riseley d. Golding/Perrott 7-5 6-2

FI: Blanche Hillyard/George Greville d. Constance Bloxsome/Frank Riseley 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1

SF: Ruth Dyas d Charlotte Cooper (GB) 6-4 0-6 6-3

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Ruth Dyas 7-5, 2-6, 6-3

 
#132 · (Edited)
May 3-8, New South Wales Championships, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Grass)
Singles (Draw=3, plus the holder)

1R: Maisie Parr d. Miss Bremer 6-3 6-1
1R: Phoebe Howitt-bye

FI: Phoebe Howitt d. Maisie Parr 6-2 6-3

CR: Phoebe Howitt d. Kate Nunneley (NZ) (holder) 6-3 3-6 6-4
a Zew Zealand papers article about:
"Though [Nunneley] has not done any practice since the NZ Championships in December, and will only have one day in Sydney prior to the tournament."

___
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Early June

May 31-June 5, Middlesex Championships, London, England (Grass)
Venue:
Chiswick Park

Singles (Draw=6, plus holder)

1R: Edith Austin d. Ursula Templeman 6-1 6-0
1R: E. Moseley-bye
1R: Henrietta Horncastle-bye
1R: Ellen Thynne d. E. Hutton default

SF: Austin d. Moseley 6-0 6-0
SF: Thynne d. Horncastle 6-1 6-4

FI: Edith Austin d. Ellen Thynne 6-0 6-2

CR: Charlotte Cooper (holder) d. Edith Austin 1-6 6-4 6-4

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June 4-10, Championships of Berlin ,Berlin, Germany (Clay)


CR: Countess Clara von der Schulenburg (holder) d. Mme Popp 6-3 retired

The two finalists were sisters.

-----

June 5-8, Hexham, Northumberland, England (Grass)

FI: Lucy Kendal d. Miss Lister 6-0 6-3

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June 7-12, Kent Championships, Beckenham, Kent, England (Grass)
Venue: Beckenham Cricket Club

Singles (Draw=12)

1R: Edith Ausyin-bye
1R: C Morgan-bye
1R: Miss Becher d. Miss Tootell 7-5 6-4
1R: E. Wigram d. M. Rooke 6-1 1-6 7-5

1R: Miss Rutherglen-bye
1R: Miss Carter-bye
1R: Ruth Pennington-Legh d. Miss Smythe 6-1 6-1
1R: E. Morgan d. Ursula Templeman 5-7 6-1 6-2

QF: Austin d. C. Morgan 6-1 6-0
QF: Becher d. E. Wigram default
QF: Rutherglen d. Carter 6-4 6-4
QF: E. Morgan d. Pennington-Legh 7-5 3-6 9-7

SF: Austin d. Becher 4-6 6-1 6-1
SF: E. Morgan d. Rutherglen default

FI: Edith Austin d. E. Morgan 6-2, 6-0

From "The Field", June 19, 1897: "Saturday. The Beckenham Cricket Club Grounds were seen to advantage this afternoon, the weather being beautifully bright and fine, although too sultry for the players to show at their very best; it was wonderful that they could play at all, so extreme was the heat. Special arrangements had been made as to the courts in the expectation that some 2,000 spectators would be looking on during the afternoon, and this expectation was certainly fulfilled. The two centre single courts were netted round in a large circle, and this gave almost everyone a chance of witnessing the best matches, while those who preferred seeing the doubles had the same advantage in another part of the ground. The two centre courts were in grand condition, playing very true and well, this being all the more wonderful as no part of the cricket pitch was touched upon. [...]

"Last year Miss Austin won the Beckenham Cup outright, so this tournament she played through the rounds, and once again gained the Kent Open Championships, not finding one of her opponents able to win a set from her except Miss Becher."

-----

Date unknown, Ealing Lawn Tennis Championship, GB

FI A. Brown


 
#97 · (Edited)
June 4-10, Championships of Berlin
very nice photo of the American Miss Brookes, winner of handicap singles: http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/annoshow-plus?call=sib|1897|0004|00000417||jpg||O|

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competitors at the Heidelberg tournament: http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/annoshow-plus?call=sib|1897|0004|00000556||jpg||O|

at Berlin, Pankow-district: http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/annoshow-plus?call=sib|1897|0004|00000581||jpg||O|

at Pilsen, Austria: http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/annoshow-plus?call=sib|1897|0004|00000632||jpg||O|

the winners of the Kimberley LT Cup, South Africa: http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/annoshow-plus?call=sib|1897|0004|00000668||jpg||O|
way too positive reporter: "Maybe it will not take long, that black teams will visit Europe to compete with our champions. Yes, the world in progression!"
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

US National Women's Championships

Dates: June 15-19
Venue: Philadelphia Lawn Tennis Club, Wissahickon Heights, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Surface: Grass

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

SINGLES (Draw=12)

Preliminary Round

Maude Banks d. Miss Edith Rotch 6-2 2-6 6-2
Juliette Atkinson d. Marie Wimer 8-6 6-3
Kate Atkinson-bye
Hattie Beaumont-bye

Edith Kenderdine d. Rachel Harlan 6-3 7-5
Ellen Kitchen d. Elizabeth Rastall 4-6 6-1 6-3.
Carrie Neely-bye
Mrs. Frank Edwards-bye

Quarterfinals

J.Atkinson d. Banks 6-1 4-6 6-1
K.Atkinson d. Beaumont 6-4 6-0
Kenderdine d. Ketcham 6-2 4-6 8-6
Neely d. Edwards 6-2 6-1

Semifinals


J.Atkinson d. K.Atkinson 6-1 6-3
Kenderine d. Neely 7-5 2-6 6-0

Final

J.Atkinson d. Kendedine 6-2 4-6 6-0

Challenger Round Juliette Atkinson d. Bessie Moore (holder) 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-3

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

DOUBLES (Draw=5)

Preliminary Round

Juliette Atkinson/Kathleen Atkinson d. Hattie Beaumont/Miss Slevin 6-0 6-3.
Maude Banks/Edith Rotch-bye
Mrs Frank Edwards/Elizabeth Rastall-bye
Laura Henson/Ellen Kenderdine-bye

Semifinals

Atkinson/Atkinson d. Banks/Rotch 3-6 6-4 6-4
Edwards/Rastall d. Henson/Kenderdine 6-4 6-2

Final

Juliette Atkinson/Kathleen Atkinson d. Mrs Frank Edwards/Elizabeth Rastall 6-2 6-1 6-1.

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

MIXED DOUBLES (Draw=6)

Preliminary Round

Maude Banks/C. B. Griffith d. Carrie Neely/Parmly Paret 6-1 7-5
Miss Arnold/CC Sichel-bye
Miss Coombs/F Morgan-bye
Laura Henson/D. L. Magruder d. Kathleen Atkinson/F. Thompson default.

Semifinals

Banks/Griffith d. Arnold/Sichel 6-1 6-0
Henson/Magruder d. Coombs/Morgan 9-7 5-7 6-3

Final

Laura Henson/DL Magruder d. Maude Banks/CB Griffith 6-4 6-3 7-5.

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

Summary:

Still a local affair, with the women listed with the clubs they represent! Carrie Neely is the one non-local, coming form Chicago. In 1998 the eastern women will face the first "Western" invasion, when Marion Jones comes east to vie for the title.

All the participants had a sit down dinner after the ladies final. Fresh lemonade inside the clubhouse kept spectators cool.

The local paper noted on day 3 that "all day carriages and buggies were coming to and fro the tennis festivities".

Here is the summary as written in Spalding's

The tournament for the women's championships was held last spring as usual at Wissahickon Heights, under the management of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, on June 15 and the following days. It scored the usual success, thanks to the efficient management of the home club. The
matches throughout were well contested, but it was conceded that Miss Juliette Atkinson, of the Staten Island Club, was the most promising candidate for final honors, and the experts were right. Miss Atkinson's hardest match was against Miss Maude Banks, of the Philadelphia
Cricket Club. Their contest was that of two thoroughly skilled players, and although Miss Atkinson proved to be the winner. Miss Banks pressed her hard and compelled New York's representative to play the best game she was capable of. The score of the three sets was: 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.

There was added interest when it transpired that Miss At- kinson and Miss Moore would again meet in the championship round.

During the last few years these players have met six times, and as each had three victories to her credit, last year's match was to all purposes a deciding one. In '96 Miss Moore and Miss Atkinson, between them, won every ladies' tournament in this country, besides two in Canada, including the New Jersey, the Middle States, the New England, and other championships.

The standard of play in last year's championship match was not only a fine exhibition of grit and endurance, but
completely surpassed its predecessors. Miss Atkinson won the first two sets by the excellence of her placing, and her general steadiness, only to lose the next two sets after some masterly tennis. With an even score, the impression prevailed that the champion would successfully defend the
title, but Miss Atkinson rallied for a supreme effort and won the decisive set.

In the mixed doubles Miss Henson and D. L. Magruder won, and their hardest struggle was made against Miss Coombs and F. Morgan in the semi-final round.

The Misses Atkinson succeeded in capturing the ladies' doubles after a close match against Miss Rotch and Miss Banks in the semi-finals.
 
#136 ·
US National Women's Championships

[...]
Edith Kenderdine d. Rachel Harlan 6-3 7-5
Ellen Kitchen d. Elizabeth Rastall 4-6 6-1 6-3.
[...]

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

DOUBLES (Draw=5)

Preliminary Round

Juliette Atkinson/Kathleen Atkinson d. Hattie Beaumont/Miss Slevin 6-0 6-3.
[...]

MIXED DOUBLES (Draw=6)

Preliminary Round

Maude Banks/C. B. Griffith d. Carrie Neely/Parmly Paret 6-1 7-5
Miss Arnold/CC Sichel-bye
Miss Coombs/F Morgan-bye
Laura Henson/D. L. Magruder d. Kathleen Atkinson/F. Thompson default.
[...]
it seems to be consensus over all papers that Miss Harlan is called Ray

Alice
Coombs

Miss Slevin:
Draw note:

Elizabeth Slevin was nicknamed Lily (NYT spelling) or Lillie (Philadelphia).
___
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Late June

June 14-19, Northern Tournament, Manchester, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=12, plus holder)

1R: Charlotte Cooper d. N. Forster 6-1 6-0
1R: Ida Cressy d. Maud Garfit 6-2 6-3
1R: Ruth Dyas-bye
1R: M. Alison-bye

1R: Lucy Kendal-bye
1R: E. Makinson-bye
1R: Blanche Hillyard d. E. Vaudrey default
1R: Ellen Cressy d. Muriel Robb 4-6 6-1 6-2

QF: Cooper d. I Cressy 6-4 6-2
QF: Dyas d. Alison 6-2 6-2
QF: Kendal d. Makinson 6-4, 6-3
QF: E Cressy d. Hillyard 13-11 3-6 7-5

SF: Cooper d. Dyas 6-2 3-6 7-5
SF: E Cressy d. Kendal 4-6 6-3 6-3

FI: Charlotte Cooper d. Ellen Cressy 7-5 6-3

CR: Charlotte Cooper d. Louisa Martin (holder) 3-6 6-3 6-4

DF: Charlotte Cooper/Ruth Dyas d. Blanche Hillyard/Louisa Martin 6-0 7-5


All-England Mixed Doubles Championship (Draw=11, plus holders)

1R: Louisa Martin/Frank Riseley d. Maud Garfit/Gillibrand Evered 6-3 6-1
1R: Muriel Robb/Arthur Riseley d. Lucy Kendal/David Davy 6-3 6-2
1R: Ida Cressy/Clement Cazalet-bye
1R: E. Makinson/Herbert N. Craig-bye

1R: Blanche Hillyard/Reggie Doherty-bye
1R: Ellen Cressy/John C. Bythell-bye
1R: Miss Forster/F. Carter-bye
1R: Ruth Dyas/Sidney H. Smith d. Miss Kidd/George Lingard default

QF: Martin/F Riseley d. Robb/ Riseley 6-3 6-4
QF: I Cressy/Cazalet d. Makinson/Craig 6-2 6-2
QF: Hillyard/Doherty d. E Cressy/Bythell 6-0 6-2
QF: Dyas/Smith d. Forster/Carter 6-2 6-1

SF: Martin/F Riseley d. I Cressy/Cazalet 6-4 7-5
SF: Dyas/Smith d. Hillyard/Doherty 6-3 6-2

FI : Louisa Martin/Frank Riseley d. Ruth Dyas/Sidney H. Smith 6-3 6-3

CR: Charlotte Cooper/Harold Mahony (holders) d. Louisa Martin/Frank Riseley 6-3 4-6 6-4


Cressy upset Hillyard in a marathon quarterfinal match, which lasted 45 games.

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June 14-19, Kent County Championships, Blackheath, Kent, England (Grass)

CR: Phoebe Hausburg d. Georgina Baylay (holder) 6-3, 6-1

Baylay is the married name of Georgina Wilson, sister of Constance and Amy.

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FRENCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Date: June 23
Venue: Societe des Sports, Ile de Puteaux, Paris
Surface: Clay

Singles (Draw=4)

1st Round

Mme P. Girod d. Mme de Fenelon default
Adine Masson d. La Marquise de Bailleul 6-0 6-2

Final

Adine Masson d. Mme P. Girod 6-3 6-1

Summary:

This first women's singles event at what was the French Closed Championships (open only to French players and overseas players who were members of French clubs) took place on one day, Wednesday, June 23, 1897. It was played separately from the men's singles event, the semi-finals and finals of which were played the following Sunday at a different venue, the Tennis Club de France. It was not until later years that all of the different events were played at the same venue and at the same time (from 1910 onwards the venue was the Racing Club de France, in Paris). There was a men's doubles event at this point in time, but no women's doubles event until 1907. The first mixed doubles event was held in 1902.

Adine Masson appears to have been a French-Canadian who settled in France. She was the best of the earliest female tennis players in France. The runner-up was a married woman, so the P. might stand for Pierre or Paul. Her identity is well hidden anyway. A report in "Le Figaro" said it was a very hard-fought contest, this despite the score-line.

The Offical Lawn Tennis Bulletin wrote that Masson would have had a tougher time if Mlles Villard or Prevost had entered. Both were absent. Does this mean they defaulted? Tradition states that only 2 women were in the draw, but the Bulletin states, "This was the first ladies championships held in Paris, and there were only four entries, but it s hoped that next year many more ladies will compete. "

Draw notes:

The event was open to Frenchwomen and foreigners residing in France.

The Marquise de Bailleul may have actually been the Marquise de Bailleut. As French sources lean towards de Bailleul we use it here.

Sources:


The Official Lawn Tennis Bulletin,
volume 4, 1897, page 185.
https://books.google.com/books?id=7L...tennis&f=false

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champi...de_tennis_1897

Les Sports athlétiques et la Revue athlétique réunis, Issues 197-222. 1894, (page 399). [This Frenh source lists the Marquise as "de Bailleul"
https://books.google.com/books?id=k_...tennis&f=false


-----

June 30-July 3, Sheffield and Hallamshire, South Yorkshire, England, GB (Grass)

FI: Ruth Dyas d. Miss Smyth 5-7 6-3 6-3
 
#115 ·
FRENCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Date: June 23
Venue: Societe des Sports, Ile de Puteaux, Paris
Surface: Clay

Singles (Draw=4)

1st Round

Mme P. Girod d. Mme de Fenelon default
Adine Masson d. La Marquise de Bailleul 6-0 6-2
Interestingly Mlle. de Salignac-Fénélon had won the Peteaux [Club?] Championship held at the same time and place against P. Girod "quite easily".
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

The Championships (Wimbledon)

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/score...1897_LS_A4.pdf

2010 Wimbledon Compenduim. (p 78 provides dates of event)
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Early July

July 3 and 5, Sleepy Hollow Tournament, Tarrytown, NY, US
Venue: Sleepy Hollow Tennis Club

Singles (Draw=5)

PR: Miss Ewings d. Miss Seaman 6-0 6-0

SF: Ewings d. Mrs. Ely 6-4 6-1
SF: Miss Silver d. Mrs. Conrad, by default.

FI: Miss Silver d. Miss Ewings 8-6 6-2

MX: Miss Silver/EH Thayer d. Miss Ewings/CD Milliard 6-3 6-3

The SF results were called the "first round" in Spaldings, the source for the scores.

-----

July 5-7, Maidstone, Kent, England (Grass)

FI: M. Stonham d. Miss Rennick 6-1 6-2

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July 5-10, North London Championships (Gipsy Open), London, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=18)

1R: Maud Garfit d. E.P. Gearing 6-0 6-3
1R: Mrs Mott d. Mrs Wood 6-3 6-3

2R: Edith Austin d. Ellen Thynne 6-3 6-1
2R: Ruth Pennington-Legh d. D. Gould 6-0 6-2
2R: Mott d Ada Spashett 1-6 6-2 7-5
2R: Miss Miles d. Henrietta Horncastle default

2R: Helen Smythe d. Ursula Templemann 6-3 6-2
2R: Miss Stacey d. Mrs Lane default
2R: Garfit d C.R. Day 6-2 6-4
2R: E.R. Morgan d. Mrs White 6-4 6-2

QF: Austin d. Pennington-Legh 6-4 6-2
QF: Miles d. Mrs Mott 6-3 6-2
QF: Smythe d. Stacey 6-3 6-4
QF: Morgan d. Garfit 6-2 6-3

SF: Austin d. Miles 6-0 6-1
SF: Morgan d. Smythe 6-2 6-4

FI: Edith Austin d. E.R. Morgan 6-1 6-0


Holder Agatha Templeman did not defend title.

-----

July 7-10, Welsh Championships, Newport, Wales (Grass)

Singles (Draw=9)

1R: Edith Longhurst d. Emily Stoddart 6-2 6-3

QF: Henrica Ridding d. Maud Cochrane 2-6 6-1 6-3
QF: Winifred Longhurst d. Mrs Davies 6-0 6-0
QF: Ethel Valentin d. Ethel Cochrane 6-2 6-1
QF: Miss J Cochrane d. Edith Longhurst 4-6 6-3 6-2

SF: Ridding d. Winifred Longhurst 3-6 6-0 6-2
SF: J Cochrane d. Mrs Valentin 6-1 4-6 6-2

FI: Henrica Ridding d. Miss J Cochrane 9-7 7-5


-----

July 12-17, London Championships, London, England (Grass)
Venue: Queen's Club

Singles (Draw=8)


1R: Charlotte Cooper d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-0 6-1
1R: Berly Tulloch d. Miss Montagu 3-6 6-1 6-0
1R: Ruth Pennington-Legh d. Miss Miles 6-0 6-0
1R: Edith Austin d. Ursula Templeman default

SF: Cooper d. Tulloch 8-10 6-3 8-6
SF: Austin d. Pennington-Legh 6-0 6-0

FI: Charlotte Cooper d. Edith Austin 2-6 6-2 6-2

Charlotte Cooper, the holder, played through this year.

-----

began July 13, Canadian Championships, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (Grass)
Venue: Queen's Royal Hotel

FI: J Davis d. Mrs Smith 6-3 8-6

CR: Juliette Atkinson (US) (holder) d. J Davis 6-3 6-1

Miss J Davis was from Toronto

-----

July 15-17, Leamington, Warwickshire, England (Grass)

FI: Ruth Dyas d. Minnie Hunter 4-6 6-0 6-1


Holdrer Alice Pickering did not defend title.

-----

Date unknown, Czechoslovakian Championship

FI: H.F. Gerard
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Late July

July 19-24, Midland Counties Championships, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=19)

1R: Jones d. I.G. Smyth 7-5 6-2
1R: Alice Parr d. Miss Johnstone 6-3 6-2
1R: Edith Longhurst d. Mrs Melrose 6-1 8-6

2R: Ruth Dyas d. Winifred Longhurst 6-2 6-0
2R: Lucy Kendal d. Mabel Snook 6-2 6-0
2R: D. Morgan d. Ethel Mott 6-1 6-0
2R: Bertha Steedman d. Henrica Ridding 6-0 6-4

2R: Jones d. E. Buzzard 6-3 6-3
2R: Parr d. E Longhurst 6-3 7-5
2R: Jessie Rose d. S.E. Smith 6-4 7-9 6-2
2R: Alice Pickering d. G. Hughes 6-1 6-2

QF: Dyas d. Kendal 7-5 6-2
QF: Steedman d. Morgan 6-2 7-5
QF: Jones d. Parr ????
QF: Pickering d. Rose 6-0 7-5

SF: Dyas d. Steedman 2-6 6-4 6-1
SF: Pickering d. Jones ????

FI: Ruth Dyas d. Alice Pickering 8-6 3-6 6-3

-----

July 21-24, Washington State Championships, Seattle, Washington, United States
Venue: Seattle Tennis Club

Singles (Draw=at least 9. The draw is incomplete]

?R: Mrs Rollins d. Mrs Ballard 6-0 6-3

QF: Miss Riley d. Miss Banks 6-2 6-5
QF: Miss Keown d. Miss Wood 6-1 6-1
QF: Mrs A.K. Fisken d. ????
QF: Miss Riggs d. Rollins 6-2 6-4

SF: Riley d. Keown 6-2 6-0
SF: Riggs d. Mrs Fisken 6-1 6-4

FI: Miss Riley d. Miss Riggs 6-3 6-2

DF: Miss Riggs/Miss Riley d. Miss Banks/Mrs A.F. Fisken 6-1 6-1

MX: Miss Riley/Samuel Russell d. Miss Riggs/George Hurd 5-7 7-5 8-6

-----

July 26-31, Northumberland Championships, Newcastle, Northumberland, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=21)

1R: Ruth Dyas d. Minnie Hunter 6-3 6-3
1R: Lucy Kendal d. L. Doig 6-1 6-1
1R: Miss Stephenson d. Miss Lewis 6-2 1-6 6-3
1R: Alice Pickering d. Miss Lister 6-2 6-2
1R: Bertha Steedman d. Madeline O'Neill 6-2 6-1

2R: Blanche Hillyard d. Miss Bowey 6-1 6-1
2R: Dyas d. Kendal 6-3 6-1
2R: Miss Dickinson d. M. Thorp 9-7 6-3
2R: Constance Hill d. M. Robinson 6-2 6-3

2R: Ida Cressy d. Muriel Robb 5-7 7-5 6-4
2R: Mrs P. Morton d. Bertha Holder 6-2 6-3
2R: Ellen Cressy d. Stephenson 6-3 6-3
2R: Steedman d. Pickering 6-3 4-6 6-2

QF: Hillyard d. Dyas 6-3 6-2
QF: Hill d. Dickinson 6-3 4-6 6-3
QF: I Cressy d. Morton 6-2 6-0
QF: Steedman d. E Cressy 6-1 6-3

SF: Hillyard d. Hill 6-4 6-2
SF: Steedman d. I Cressy 6-2 2-0 retired

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Bertha Steedman 6-3 retired

DF: Blanche Hillyard/Bertha Steedman d. Ruth Dyas/Alice Pickering 7-5 6-4

MX: Bertha Steedman/Sidney H Smith d. Blanche Hillyard/George Hillyard 2-6 6-4 6-1

Steedman's retirement in the singles final resulted in some criticism from "The Field" reporter. Steedman's response was published a couple weeks later on August 21:

"I shall be obliged by your allowing me space in your columns to reply to certain statements made in your issue of August 7 by the reporter of lawn tennis in reference to the Northumberland meeting. He states: 'It was with great difficulty that Miss Steedman could be prevailed upon to face Mrs [Blanche] Hillyard for the final round of the ladies' singles, and even then she played only one set before retiring.'

"Whatever difficulty I made, I had certainly just cause; for it is impossible for a lady to play four hard matches on one day, and to do herself justice, as was the case with me. I started to play on Saturday morning at 11.30 in the semi-final of the mixed doubles, and the match was not finished until 12.45. At 2.30 I played one set against Mrs Hillyard in the ladies' singles and then retired. At 3.30 the final of the ladies' doubles commenced, and was not finished until 4.30. Half an hour later I had to play in the final of the mixed doubles, which took more than an hour. A lady ought not to be asked to do more than this.

"The semi-final of the mixed doubles ought to have been played off on Friday. On Friday I had pointed out to the referee that, unless I played the final of the mixed doubles that day, it was possible I might have to play all these four matches on Saturday, and said I could not do it, and should scratch to Mrs Hillyard. I was assured that I should not have all four matches to play. I think, therefore, in fairness, it must be admitted that I had excellent reason for playing only one set.

"The reporter says I should have scratched before the final if I did not intend to play; but how was I to know I should be left in for all three finals, or that the matches would be so arranged as to necessitate my scratching? The reporter also utterly ignores the fact that in the other two events I had someone to consider beside myself.

"I am prepared to play three finals if I have the good luck to be in for them, but I do draw the line at semi-finals on the same day. It is unnecessary to notice the reporter's remarks about one's duty to the public and the committee, beyond saying that the honorary secretary actually thanked me for playing even one set, and agreed that I had good reason for only playing one."

-----

July 28-29, Colchester, Essex, England (Grass)

FI: Henrietta Horncastle d. Ursula Templeman 6-0 6-2

Holder Agatha Templeman does not defend her title.
 
#139 · (Edited)
July 21-24, Washington State Championships, Seattle, Washington, United States
Venue: Seattle Tennis Club

Singles (Draw=at least 9. The draw is incomplete]

?R: Mrs Rollins d. Mrs Ballard 6-0 6-3

QF: Miss Riley d. Miss Banks 6-2 6-5
QF: Miss Keown d. Miss Wood 6-1 6-1
QF: Mrs A.K. Fisken d. ????
QF: Miss Riggs d. Rollins 6-2 6-4
[...]
draw ~12

PR: Mrs Rollins d. Mrs Ballard
PR: Mrs. Fisken d. Mrs. Cowell (default?)
PR: Freer* vs Cheal (default?)
PR: Wood(s) d. Mrs. Willis (default?)

QF: Mrs A.K. Fisken d. [Freer or Cheal] (default?)

by looking at the last years (no defaults), I have doubts that the ungiven results are all defaults



  • the state championships denomination is subsidiary in the reports, it is primary the "7th annual open tournament of the Seattle TC"
  • "The various events will for the first time carry with them the championship of the state of Washington, ...", last year the men's singles champion carried this title alone
  • complete draw only given for MS (for cup #1= 16 entries & for cup #2 = 22) and MD (13) - one is from England
  • Miss Freer = Miss Frere from Canada?

___
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Early August

August 2-5, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England (Grass)

FI: Henrica Ridding d. G. Beavis 6-1 6-0

-----

August 2-7, Scottish Championships, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (Grass)

Singles (Draw=6)

1R: Miss Dickinson-bye
1R: Minnie Hunter d. Madeline O'Neill 6-3 9-7
1R: L. Doig d. Miss Fergus 7-5 6-1
1R: Lucy Kendal-bye

SF: Hunter d. Dickinson 6-2 6-4
SF: Lucy Kendal d. Doig 6-3 6-0

FI: Minnie Hunter d. Lucy Kendal 6-4 7-5

Holder Lottie Paterson did not defend title.

-----

August 2-7, Exmouth, Devon, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=15)

1R: Violet Pinckney d. N. Bloxsome 6-1 8-6
1R: B. Peck d. L. Davies 6-3 5-7 7-5
1R: E. Morant d. C. Bloxsome 6-2 6-3
1R: Mrs Harvey d. D. Compton-Lundie 6-3 6-3

1R: Edith Riseley d. S. Smith default
1R: Maud Garfit d. E. Peck 6-4 6-1
1R: Elsie Pinckney d. Miss Carter default
1R: Phoebe Hausburg-bye

QF: V Pinckney d. Peck 6-0 6-2
QF: Harvey d. Morant 6-2 6-3
QF: Riseley d. Maud Garfit 1-6 6-1 6-3
QF: E Pinckney d. Phoebe Hausburg 6-3 3-6 6-2

SF: V Pinckney d. Harvey 6-3 6-3
SF: E Pinckney d. Riseley 6-8 8-6 6-4

FI: Violet Pinckney d. Elsie Pinckney default

The finalists were sisters. Did this play a role in Elise's default?

-----

August 2-7, British Columbia Championships, Victoria, Canada
Venue: Victoria Lawn Tennis Club

Singles (Draw=12)

1R: Muriel Goward d. Anastasia Musgrave 6-1 6-2
1R: Miss Twigge d. Mrs W. Langley 6-3 6-3
1R: Miss Frere-bye
1R: Miss Roberts-bye

1R: Ethel Leather-bye
1R: Miss Riley-bye
1R: Mrs Willis d. Mrs Carstens default
1R: M. Macrae d. Miss Patton default

QF: Goward d. Twigge 6-1 6-0
QF: Miss Frere d. Roberts 6-3 6-3
QF: Leather d. Riley default
QF: Macrae d. Willis 6-2 6-0

SF: Goward d. Frere 3-6 6-4 6-1
SF: Macrae d. Leather 6-1 6-4

FI: Muriel Goward d. M. Macrae 6-1 6-1

DF: Miss Roberts/Miss Twigge d. M. Macrae/Miss Macrae 5-6 6-3 6-4

MX: Miss Frere/John Foulkes d. N. Prior/George C. Johnston 6-2 6-5

Ethel Leather=Mrs Leather

-----

August 4-6, West of Scotland Championships, Castle Wemyss, Wemyss Bay, Scotland (Grass)

FI: K. Jamieson d. Mrs Foster 6-4 6-3

DF: K. Jamieson/M. Jamieson d. Mrs Foster/Miss Spurgeon 7-5 8-6

MX: Miss Ewen/G.L. Findaly d. Miss Orr/W.R.B. Latham 6-0 6-3

Holder Lottie Paterson (holder) did not defend.

-----

August 10-14, Derbyshire Championships, Buxton, Derbyshire, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=10)

1R: Alice Pickering d. Mrs Mott 6-2 6-3
1R: Blanche Hillyard d. Mrs Heatley 6-3 6-0

QF: Pickering d. Madeline O'Neill 6-1 6-1
QF: Miss Wolfenden d. Miss Rooke 6-3 6-1
QF: Muriel Robb d. Miss Wadsworth 6-3 6-3
QF: Hillyard d. A. Clarke 6-2 6-1

SF: Pickering d. Wolfenden 6-0 6-0
SF: Hillyard d. Robb 5-7 6-1 10-8

FI: Alice Pickering d. Blanche Hillyard 6-4 5-7 6-4

All England Women's Doubles Championship (Draw=4)

1R: Blanche Hillyard/Alice Pickering d. Elizabeth Heatley/Mrs Mott 6-0 6-0
1R: Mildred Brooksmith/Miss Wolfenden d. Muriel Robb/Miss Wadsworth 6-2 6-2

FI: Blanche Hillyard/Alice Pickering d. Mildred Brooksmith/Miss Wolfenden 6-0 6-1

MX: Alice Pickering/Sidney H. Smith d. Blanche Hillyard/George Hillyard 5-7 6-3 6-4

Pickering's maiden name was Simpson.

-----

August 10-14, Trefriw, Wales (Grass)

CR: Ruth Dyas (holder) d. Constance Hill 2-6 6-2 6-2

-----

August 11-13, East of England Championships, Felixstowe, England (Grass)

FI: Mrs White d. Henrietta Horncastle 6-3 6-3

Mrs White could=Mrs H White

-----

August 11-15, Pacific Northwest Championships, Tacoma, Washington, United States
Venue: Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club

[Incomplete draw]

SF: Miss Riley d. Miss Freare (Can) 6-1 6-1
SF: Miss Keown d. ????

FI: Miss Riley d. Miss Keown 6-1 6-1

DF: Miss Freare (Can)/Mrs Langley d. Miss Riley/Miss Struve ????

Mixed doubles

SF: Miss Freare (Can)/John Foulkes (Can) d. Henry Carstens/Mrs H. Carstens 6-3 6-2
SF: Miss Struve/George Hurd d. Miss Keown/W.A. Sternberg 6-2 6-2

FI: Miss Freare (Can)/John Foulkes (Can) d. Miss Struve/George Hurd by 2 sets to 1
 
#37 · (Edited)
Re: 1897

Early August

August 4-6, West of Scotland Championships, Castle Wemyss, Fife, Scotland (Grass)
In Scotland there were 2 Castle Wemyss: in West of Scotland and in East of Scotland.

The above Fife county is in East of Scotland, where there is a Castle Wemyss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wemyss_Castle

The Castle Wemyss in West of Scotland (demolished in 1984) was in Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Wemyss

Therefore:
August 4-6, West of Scotland Championships, Castle Wemyss, Wemyss Bay, Scotland (Grass)
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

Late August

August 17-19, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England (Grass)

FI: Mrs Horace White d. Constance or Nita Bloxsome 6-4 6-4*

DF: Mrs Horace White/Winifred Kersey and M. Alison/Ethel Mott divided the prizes

MX: Mrs Horace White/Herbert Roper Barrett d. Constance or Nita Bloxsome/Edward Allen 6-3 6- 3

The singles event was handicap only.

-----

August 16-21, Yorkshire Open, Scarborough, Yorkshire England (Grass)


FI: Lucy Kendal d. Muriel Robb 6-3 6-0

DF: Katherine Grey/Lucy Kendal d. Minnie Hunter/Muriel Robb 6-3 9-7

MX: Muriel Robb/Grainger Chaytor d. Lucy Kendal/Ernest D. Black 6-2 6-1

Muriel Robb, a future Wimbledon champion, was from Newcastle in Northumberland.

-----

August 16-22, German Championships, Hamburg, Germany (Clay)

FI: Blanche Hillyard (GB) d. Charlotte Cooper (GB) 6-3 6-2 6-2

-----

August 17-19, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England (Grass)

FI: Mrs White d. N. Bloxsome 6-4 6-4

Mrs White May=Mrs H White

-----

Circa August 23-29, Bad Homburg, Germany (Clay)

FI: Blanche Hillyard and Charlotte Cooper divided the prizes as final was cancelled due to non-stop rain.

-----

began August 24, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Boulogne, France (Clay)

FI: F. Gould (GB) d. Ms Harvey (GB) 6-1 6-3

Holder Lottie Paterson (GB) (holder) did not defend

-----

August 23-30, Queensland Championships, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Grass)
Venue: Woolloongabba Cricket Ground

Singles (Draw=8)

1R: Eileen Persee d. Miss Newton 4-6 7-5 6-3
1R: E. Jones d. Ethel Mant default*
1R: H. Roehricht d. B.G. Evans ????
1R: Mabel Mant d. Mrs Tilston ????

SF: Persee d. Jones 9-7 6-2
SF: M Mant d. Roehricht 5-7 6-2 6-2

FI: Eileen Persee d. Mabel Mant 6-2 6-3

CR: Ethel Mant (holder) d. Eileen Persee 6-3 5-7 6-??**

Mixed doubles (Draw=7)

1R: Ethel Mant/Francis Waller d. Miss Graham/A.D. Graham 6-0 6-2
1R: Mrs Tilston/T.G. Wilson d. Eileen Persee/Arthur Pixley 6-3 3-6 6-3
1R: Miss Newton/Dr Samuel Hughes d. Miss Larard/Meadows Lovegrove 5-7 9-7 6-3
1R: Mabel Mant/H. Cook had a bye.

SF: E Mant/Waller d. Tilston/Wilson ????
SF: Newton/Hughes d. M Mant/Cook 6-0 6-3

FI: Ethel Mant/Francis Waller d. Miss Newton/Dr Samuel Hughes 3-6 6-4 7-5

*Ethel Mant, the defending champion, appears to have been entered in the draw for the women’s All-Comers’ singles event by mistake.

**The complete score of the Challenge Round match in the women’s singles event is not known.

-----

August 24-27, Criccieth, Wales (Grass)

CR: Miss Makinson d. M. Pick (holder) 6-3 6-3

-----

began August 25 Niagara-on-the-Lake International, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (Grass)
Venue: Niagara Lawn Tennis Club

CR: Juliette Atkinson (US) (holder) d. Maude Smith 6-4 7-5

Mrs Eustace Smith=nee Maude Delano-Osborne.

-----

????, British Columbia Championships, Victoria?, Canada

FI: Muriel Goward d. ??

MX: Miss Frere/James F. Foulkes d. ??

Dates and venue unknown. Placed here as it was part of the Pacific Northwest circuit (note the Pacific Northwest event of August 12-15, in which Miss Frere also participated).

-----

????, Etretat Tournament, Etretat, France (Clay)

FI: Elsie Renault d. Miss Ellis 6-0 6-1
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

September

Began in mid to late August ????* Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden, Germany (Clay)

FI: Blanche Hillyard (GB) d. Charlotte Cooper (GB) 6-2 6-4

From Newmark:

A big tournament was held in Baden-Baden, Germany, in 1897, in mid-to late August. The Doherty brothers, Laurie and Reggie, took part in it. Reggie had won his first Wimbledon singles title earlier in the season. Blanche Hillyard had won her fourth, and she won the women's singles title at Baden-Baden, too, repeating her Wimbledon Challenge Round win over Charlotte Cooper, her nearest rival. Elsie Lane had won the women's title at Baden-Baden in 1896, so if she did not defend, the last women's match would probably have been an all-comers' final.

The Baden-Baden tournament went into decline after 1898 or so and wasn't revived until 1904, when it began to prosper again.

*From Rollo: Mark's information strongly suggests this event was held either prior to or after the German Chmps and Bad Homburg. For now I'm going with the later date.

-----

August 30-September 1, Chichester, West Sussex, England (Grass)

The women's singles event was handicap only and was won by Edith Cole.

Mixed Doubles

SF: M. Stonham/Charles Allen d. [Hilda] Hitchings/Edward Allen 6-1 6-2
SF: Hilda Lane/Arthur Riseley d. Beryl Tulloch/Grainger Chaytor 6-3 6-0

FI: M. Stonham/Charles Allen d. Hilda Lane/Arthur Riseley 6-3 6-4

-----

Began September 3 Toronto Lawn Tennis Club Tournament, Toronto, Canada (Grass)
Venue: Toronto Lawn Tennis Club

Won By Maude Smith with a 3-0 record.

RR: Maude Smith d. Mrs. Whitehead 6-1 6-4.
RR: Violet Summerhays d. Miss Johnson 6-1 6-4

RR: Maude Smith d. Violet Summerhays, 6-1 6-2.
RR: Mrs. Whitehead d. Miss Johnson 6-2 6-4.

RR: Maude Smith d. Miss Johnson 6-1 6-2.
RR: Mrs. Whitehead d. Violet Summerhays, 6-4 5-7 7-5.

"In the ladies' singles Mrs. Smith easily out-classed her three opponents and won without the loss of a set. " (Spalding). The results demonstrate that this was basuically a round robin event.


-----

early September, Ladies’ Western Championships, Chicago, Illinois, US
Venue: Kenwood Country Club

FI: Louise Pound d. Juliette Atkinson 6-4 6-1 6-3

CR: Louise Pound d. Jennie Craven (holder) 6-0 6-3 7-5

Doubles

CR: Juliette Atkinson/Jennie Craven d. Grace Cloes/Carrie Neely 6-2 5-7 6-2 6-4

* Carrie Neely had won the women’s doubles title the previous year with Harriet Rew.

-----

September ?? Pacific Coast Championships , San Rafael, California, US (Hard)
Venue: San Rafael Hotel


Was a ladies event even held? Miss Bee Hooper is listed as the holder when the 1898 even tis held, yet no score exists for a ladies single after 1896. Could Bee have "won" the Pacific Coast Championshipsin 1896 and 1897 by default due to a lack of challengers?

-----

September 6-11, Sussex Championships, Brighton, Sussex, England (Grass)

Singles (Draw=16, plus holder)


1R: Charlotte Cooper d. C. Morgan default
1R: Elsie Pinckney d. M. Stonham 3-6 6-4 6-1
1R: Helen Pillans d. Miss Tootell 6-2 0-6 6-2
1R: Edith Austin d. Ursula Templeman default

1R: Amy Kirby d. Maud Garfit 6-4 6-4
1R: Ellen Thynne d. C. Bloxsome 6-2 6-1
1R: Phoebe Hausburg d. E. Wolfenden 6-2 4-6 6-1
1R: Elsie Lane d. Miss Smythe default

QF: Cooper d. Pinckney 6-1 6-2
QF: Austin d. Pillans 6-2 6-2
QF: Kirby d. Thynne 3-6 6-3 6-4
QF: Lane d. Hausburg 6-2 6-1

SF: Cooper d. Austin 6-3 2-6 6-2
SF: Lane d. Kirby 3-6 6-1 6-2

FI: Charlotte Cooper d. Elsie Lane 6-2 6-3

CR: Charlotte Cooper d. Blanche Hillyard (holder) 7-5 7-5

DF: Charlotte Cooper/Ellen Thynne d. Phoebe Hausburg/Miss Riseley 6-2 6-0

MX: Edith Austin/George Greville d. Charlotte Cooper/George Hillyard 6-2 6-3

Mixed winners Austin and Greville were later married.
-----

began September 13, Dinard Tournament, Dinard, Brittany, France (Clay)

CR: Ivy Arbuthnot (GB) (holder) d. Adine Masson 6-3 3-6 6-4

-----

September 13-18, South of England Championships, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England (Grass)
Venue: Devonshire Park

Draw of 29


1R: Charlotte Cooper d. Hon. Miss Heneage 6-0 6-1
1R: E. Morgan d. Alice Greene 7-5 6-3
1R: Miss Bloxsome d. Mrs R. Gosling 6-1 6-1
1R: Ellen Thynne d. Toupie Lowther 6-2 6-4
1R: Miss Hughes d. Mrs Philpot 6-3 6-1
1R: Henrica Ridding d. Henrietta Horncastle 4-6 6-3 11-9
1R: C. Morgan-bye
1R: Ruth Pennington-Legh-bye

1R: Maud Garfit d. C. Webber 6-1 6-0
1R: Ursula Templeman d. E. Mott 6-0 6-1
1R: Miss Tootell d. E. Windsor 3-6 6-2 7-5
1R: E. Wolfenden d. Katherine Pillans 6-8 8-6 retired
1R: Miss Plaskitt d. Helen Pillans 0-6 10-8 8-6
1R: Elsie Pinckney d. Amy Kirby 6-1 7-5
1R: Miss Buszard-bye
1R: Edith Austinbyr

2R: Cooper d. E. Morgan 6-0 6-1
2R: Thynne d. Bloxsome 6-2 6-0
2R: Ridding d. Hughes 12-10 9-7
2R: Pennington-Legh d. C. Morgan 6-2 6-2

2R: Garfit d. U Templeman 6-1 6-2
2R: Wolfenden d. Tootell 6-3, 7-5
2R: Pinckney d. Plaskitt 6-4 6-0
2R: Austin d. Miss Buszard 6-3 6-0

QF: Cooper d. Thynne 6-3 6-2
QF: Pennington-Legh d. Ridding 6-4 6-4
QF: Garfit d. E. Wolfenden 8-6 6-0
QF: Austin d. Pinckney 6-4 6-8 6-2

SF: Cooper d. Pennington-Legh 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
SF: Austin d. Garfit 6-2, 6-4

FI: Charlotte Cooper d. Edith Austin 6-3 4-6 6-0

CR: Charlotte Cooper d. Blanche Hillyard (holder) 6-4 6-0

MX: Edith Austin/George Greville d. Toupie Lowther/Reggie Doherty 3-6 6-2 6-4

At 28 this is perhaps the largest draw of the year.

-----

September 20-25, Welsh Covered Courts Championships, Llandudno, Wales (Indoors on Wood)

CR: Ruth Dyas d. Alice Pickering (holder) 4-6 6-3 6-4

-----

late September, Western Australian Championships, Perth, Western Australia, Australia (Grass)

FI: E. Calder d. Miss Stewart 6-3 6-0

*possibly started or ended on Sept 21
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 1897

October-December


Circa September 8-October 13, Western Australian Championships

FI: E. Calder d. B. Stewart 6-3 6-0

-----

November 15-20, Victorian Championships, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Grass)

Singles (Draw=3)


1R: Phoebe Howitt d. Sarah Howitt ????
1R: F Waters-bye

FI: Phoebe Howitt d. Florence Waters 6-3 2-6 6-3

Doubles (Draw=3)

1R: Phoebe Howitt/Sarah Howitt d. Miss Black/Miss Bond 6-3, 6-1
1R: Florence Waters/A. Wilmoth-bye

FI: Phoebe Howitt/Sarah Howitt d. Florence Waters/Gertrude Wilmoth 6-3 6-4

Mixed doubles (Draw=4)

1R: Phoebe Howitt/Alfred W. Dunlop d. Gertrude Wilmoth/Archibald Windeyer 6-2 6-3
1R: Florence Waters/Thomas Irving d. May Brookes/Norman Brookes ????

FI: Phoebe Howitt/Alfred W. Dunlop d. Florence Waters/Thomas Irving 6-3 2-6 6-3



-----

December 27-30, New Zealand Championships, Auckland, New Zealand

Singles (Draw=5, plus holder)

1R: Miss Bull d. A. Nicholson 6-2 6-2

SF: M. Kennedy d. Bull 6-1 2-6 6-4
SF: Miss Gorrie d. Miss Read 6-2 6-2

FI: M. Kennedy d. Miss Gorrie 6-0, 6-3

CR: Kate Nunneley (holder) d. M. Kennedy 6-1 6-0

Doubles (Draw=2)

FI: M. Kennedy/Kate Nunneley d. A. Nicholson/Miss Bull 6-1 6-2
 
#134 ·
December 27-30, New Zealand Championships, Auckland, New Zealand
[...]
SF: M. Kennedy d. Bull 6-1 2-6 6-4
SF: Miss Gorrie d. Miss Read 6-2 6-2

FI: M. Kennedy d. Miss Gorrie 6-0, 6-3

CR: Kate Nunneley (holder) d. M. Kennedy 6-1 6-0

[...]
Gorrie d. Read often given as 6-2 6-1, Kennedy d. Gorrie 6-3, 6-0
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#14 · (Edited)
Re: 1897

Some information from "Le Figaro" newspaper on the first ever women's singles event at the French Closed Championships:

June 23, French Closed Championships, Societe des sports, Ile de Puteaux, Paris, France (Clay)

FI: Adine Masson d. Mme P. Girod [score?]*

* This first women's singles event at what was the French Closed Championships (open only to French players and overseas players who were members of French clubs) took place on one day, Wednesday, June 23, 1897. It was played separately from the men's singles event, the semi-finals and finals of which were played the following Sunday at a different venue, the Tennis Club de France. It was not until later years that all of the different events were played at the same venue and at the same time (from 1910 onwards the venue was the Racing Club de France, in Paris). There was a men's doubles event at this point in time, but no women's doubles event until 1907. The first mixed doubles event was held in 1902.

Adine Masson appears to have been a French-Canadian who settled in France. She was the best of the earliest female tennis players in France. The runner-up was a married woman, so the P. might stand for Pierre or Paul. Her identity is well hidden anyway. It was not possible to find the score of this final, but a report in "Le Figaro" said it was a very hard-fought contest.
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#16 ·
Re: 1897

Added Mark:)

That was very important information that fills in a huge gap. By the way I do have a score for the final-it was 6-3 6-1.
I know "wikipedia" gives the score of the 1897 French Closed Championships women's singles final as 6-3, 6-1, but that doesn't sound like a closely-fought contest to me. I couldn't confirm that score anywhere else, so I didn't include it.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Re: 1897

Here is the text of a letter written to "The Field" sports newspaper by Bertha Steedman concerning a report on her play at the 1897 edition of the Northumberland Championships in Newcastle. The report had appeared in the edition of "The Field" published on 7 August 1897. Bertha Steedman's letter was printed in the edition of 21 August 1897:

"The Ladies' Singles at the Northumberland Tournament

"Sir,

"I shall be obliged by your allowing me space in your columns to reply to certain statements made in your issue of August 7 by the reporter of lawn tennis in reference to the Northumberland meeting. He states: 'It was with great difficulty that Miss Steedman could be prevailed upon to face Mrs [Blanche] Hillyard for the final round of the ladies' singles, and even then she played only one set before retiring.'

"Whatever difficulty I made, I had certainly just cause; for it is impossible for a lady to play four hard matches on one day, and to do herself justice, as was the case with me. I started to play on Saturday morning at 11.30 in the semi-final of the mixed doubles, and the match was not finished until 12.45. At 2.30 I played one set against Mrs Hillyard in the ladies' singles and then retired. At 3.30 the final of the ladies' doubles commenced, and was not finished until 4.30. Half an hour later I had to play in the final of the mixed doubles, which took more than an hour. A lady ought not to be asked to do more than this.

"The semi-final of the mixed doubles ought to have been played off on Friday. On Friday I had pointed out to the referee that, unless I played the final of the mixed doubles that day, it was possible I might have to play all these four matches on Saturday, and said I could not do it, and should scratch to Mrs Hillyard. I was assured that I should not have all four matches to play. I think, therefore, in fairness, it must be admitted that I had excellent reason for playing only one set.

"The reporter says I should have scratched before the final if I did not intend to play; but how was I to know I should be left in for all three finals, or that the matches would be so arranged as to necessitate my scratching? The reporter also utterly ignores the fact that in the other two events I had someone to consider beside myself.

"I am prepared to play three finals if I have the good luck to be in for them, but I do draw the line at semi-finals on the same day. It is unnecessary to notice the reporter's remarks about one's duty to the public and the committee, beyond saying that the honorary secretary actually thanked me for playing even one set, and agreed that I had good reason for only playing one.

"Bertha Steedman

"High Ercall Hall, Wellington, Salop."
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#32 ·
Re: 1897

Thank you Mark for that rare and detailed first-person account.
When you are bastardizing other members' contriubtions you often tend to leave out vital information, change the format or even add spelling and grammatical mistakes. This is very annoying and makes a mockery of the original contribution. Could you not simply copy and paste the original contribution, crediting the poster?
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