Wimbledon is a grand slam tennis event running rich in tradition. The event runs over a two-week period beginning in late June. Players wear predominantly white tennis attire, play their matches on grass courts, play out the fifth set, or third set for ladies instead of utilizing the tie-breaker and take the middle Sunday off. The events are referred to as Ladies and Gentleman's draws, and strawberries and cream are served at all concessions.
History
Walter Clopton Wingfield introduced lawn tennis in 1875 to The All England Croquet Club. After changing its name to incorporate lawn tennis, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club began hosting the Lawn Tennis Championships in 1877, which later became known as The Championships, Wimbledon, or Wimbledon for short. In 1884, the tournament began offering events for Ladies' Singles and Gentlemen's Doubles.
1887 Ladies Singles Event
Charlotte Lottie Dod defeated 23 year old Blanche Bingley 6-2, 6-0 with second set action lasting 10 minutes. In 2010, Dod still holds the record as the youngest Ladies Champion at 15 years, 285 days old. Dod went on to win four other Wimbledon Singles titles in 1888, 1891, 1892 and 1893.
1887 Gentlemen's Singles Event
Herbert Lawford defeated Ernest Renshaw in five sets, 1-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Lawford is most noted for introducing topspin into the game with a shot referred to as the Lawford forehand. Lawford would reach the finals five times in his career; 1880, 1884-86, 1888.
1887 Gentlemen's Doubles Event
Herbert Wilberforce and Patrick Bowes-Lyon beat H.J. Crispe and E. Barratt-Smith in three sets, 7--5, 6--3, 6--2. Wilberforce and Bowes-Lyon would make it to the finals in 1888 but lose to the British twins, Ernest and William Renshaw in five sets, 2--6, 1--6, 6--3, 6--4, 6--3. The Ladies Doubles Championships weren't started until 1913.
References
- The Official Web Site of Wimbledon: History of The Championships
- "Sports Illustraed": Wimbledon's First Wunderkind; Amy Nutt; 1993
- The Official Web Site of Wimbledon: Wimbledon Records & Statistics
- International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum: Herbert Lawford
- The Bleacher Report: Wimbledon Tennis Doubles Champions
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