Part I of III
The first Wimbledon was held from July 7 to 17, 1877, and consisted of just one event, a men's singles. It was reported in "The Field" sports gazette on February 14 and one week later.
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From “The Field”, July 14, 1877
“The rapid rise of lawn tennis in public estimation since it was first introduced under the name of Sphairistike in 1874, is too well known to require more than the mere mention. It may be as well, however, to remind lawn tennis players that the game has undergone considerable change in the three short years of its existence. In 1875 a public meeting was convened at Lord’s, to consider a set of laws which should rule the game generally; and the laws then issued were adopted by the great majority of players. It was soon perceived, however, that the M.C.C. [Marylebone Cricket Club] laws, drawn up in the infancy of the game, stood in need of revision, and in our columns and elsewhere the laws have been debated; it was hoped that the M.C.C. would revise them, and especially that they would sanction the introduction of tennis scoring. Up to the present time, however, the M.C.C. have made no sign; and when, about six weeks ago, it was proposed to hold a championship lawn tennis meeting on the grounds of the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, one of the first difficulties which presented itself was the question of scoring.
“It was believed that the general feeling was in favour of tennis scoring as against racket scoring; and this being so, the All England Club, though not wishing to run counter to the M.C.C., had no alternative but to issue a provisional code of laws for the conduct of the championship matches. These laws were printed in ‘The Field’ of June 16, 1877, and that they work satisfactorily is proved by the fact that only one question of law had to be decided by the referee during four days’ play. The whole of the credit, however, must not be given to the laws. The players must be complimented on getting through so many matches without a dispute; and the umpires, amongst whom may be specially mentioned Mr Sopwith, Mr Wickens, Mr Nicol, Mr Dalby and Mr Julian Marshall, must also have awarded to them their due meed of praise, for the efficient manner in which they discharged their somewhat thankless office.
"Early in June the All England Club request Messrs Julian Marshall, Charles G. Heathcote, and Henry Jones to act as a sub-committee, to draw up a programme, and to arrange the details of the championship meeting, to be held in second week in July. These gentlemen consented to serve, and, notwithstanding the short time at their disposal, managed to have everything in readiness by the opening day, July 9. Those who have never conducted a large open meeting can have but little idea of the troubles involved in getting things into working order. The sub-committee are entitled to the warmest thanks of lawn tennis players for the exertions made on their behalf by the gentlemen named.
“One of the most important desiderata was to obtain implements, in considerable quantities, of the best quality, made to suit the laws laid down by the sub-committee, and to ensure their delivery by the first day of the meeting. Balls especially gave much trouble. They were required of a certain weight, to be sewn in a particular way, and in fact had to be made for the occasion. In the emergency Messrs Jeffries and Co., the well-known manufacturers of Woolwich, were appealed to. They undertook to get everything in readiness by July 9, and what they promised they performed. It is not too much to say that the things they supplied were all that could be desired: nets of the right size and texture; posts of the right height and stoutness, and fifteen dozens balls, without a bad one amongst them. It is unnecessary to multiply details. Messrs Jeffries are too well known as manufacturers of lawn tennis implements to need any compliment from us that might be mistaken for a puff. A word should also be added for Messrs Asser and Sherwin, of 81, Strand, who kindly lent the wells to hold the balls, which were found very useful.
“The draw was advertised to take place in the Pavilion, at the All England Club Ground, Wimbledon, on Saturday, July 7, at 3.30 p.m. By the time fixed twenty-two gentlemen, including some of the highest lawn tennis talent in England, had sent in their names to contest for the honour of winning the first lawn tennis championship. Several other entries came later, and it was to be regretted that they could not be included; but when the draw has once taken place, the list cannot be reopened.
“In accordance with the programme, the value of the prizes was declared before the draw as follows: First prize, the champion gold prize, value £12. 12s., together with a silver challenge cup, presented by the proprietors of ‘The Field’; second prize, the silver prize, value £7. 7s.; third prize, value £3. 3s.
“The matches commenced on Monday, July 9, and continued on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 10, 11 and 12. The score was as under:
“LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP, open to all amateurs; entrance £1. 1s.; value of prizes to be declared before the draw; each match best of five sets; laws as per programme (see ‘The Field’ of June 16); “All England Regulations for the Management of Prize Meetings”; twenty-two entries.
[First round]
“Mr Spencer Gore beat Mr H.T. Gillson 6-2, 6-0, 6-3
“Mr Montague Hankey beat Mr R.D. Dalby 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
“Mr John Baker beat Mr J.W. Trist 6-1, 6-4, 6-0
“Mr F.N. Langham (w.o.), Mr Charles F. Buller (absent)
“Mr Robert Erskine beat Mr H. Wheeler 6-2, 6-5, 6-2
“Mr J. Lambert beat Mr H.G. Soden 6-1, 6-5, 6-5
“Mr Bayly N. Akroyd beat Mr G. Nicol 6-0, 6-0, 6-4
“Mr William C. Marshall beat Mr F.D. Jackson 6-3, 6-5, 6-0
“Mr Frederick W. Oliver beat Major Battye 6-1, 6-1, 6-1
“Mr Julian Marshall beat Captain Grimston 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
“Mr Charles G. Heathcote beat Captain G.F. Buxton 6-0, 6-2, 6-3
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[Second round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Hankey 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
“Mr Langham beat Mr Baker 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 6-5
“Mr Erskine beat Mr Lambert 6-2, 6-1, retired
“Mr William Marshall beat Mr Akroyd 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
“Mr Julian Marshall beat Mr Oliver 4-6, 6-5, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
“Mr Heathcote (a bye)
[Third round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Langham 6-3, 6-2, 5-6, 6-1
“Mr William Marshall beat Mr Erskine 6-5, 5-6, 6-4, 6-1
“Mr Heathcote beat Mr Julian Marshall 6-3, 6-3, 6-5
[Fourth round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Heathcote 6-2, 6-5, 6-2
“William Marshall (a bye)
The first Wimbledon was held from July 7 to 17, 1877, and consisted of just one event, a men's singles. It was reported in "The Field" sports gazette on February 14 and one week later.
--
From “The Field”, July 14, 1877
“The rapid rise of lawn tennis in public estimation since it was first introduced under the name of Sphairistike in 1874, is too well known to require more than the mere mention. It may be as well, however, to remind lawn tennis players that the game has undergone considerable change in the three short years of its existence. In 1875 a public meeting was convened at Lord’s, to consider a set of laws which should rule the game generally; and the laws then issued were adopted by the great majority of players. It was soon perceived, however, that the M.C.C. [Marylebone Cricket Club] laws, drawn up in the infancy of the game, stood in need of revision, and in our columns and elsewhere the laws have been debated; it was hoped that the M.C.C. would revise them, and especially that they would sanction the introduction of tennis scoring. Up to the present time, however, the M.C.C. have made no sign; and when, about six weeks ago, it was proposed to hold a championship lawn tennis meeting on the grounds of the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, one of the first difficulties which presented itself was the question of scoring.
“It was believed that the general feeling was in favour of tennis scoring as against racket scoring; and this being so, the All England Club, though not wishing to run counter to the M.C.C., had no alternative but to issue a provisional code of laws for the conduct of the championship matches. These laws were printed in ‘The Field’ of June 16, 1877, and that they work satisfactorily is proved by the fact that only one question of law had to be decided by the referee during four days’ play. The whole of the credit, however, must not be given to the laws. The players must be complimented on getting through so many matches without a dispute; and the umpires, amongst whom may be specially mentioned Mr Sopwith, Mr Wickens, Mr Nicol, Mr Dalby and Mr Julian Marshall, must also have awarded to them their due meed of praise, for the efficient manner in which they discharged their somewhat thankless office.
"Early in June the All England Club request Messrs Julian Marshall, Charles G. Heathcote, and Henry Jones to act as a sub-committee, to draw up a programme, and to arrange the details of the championship meeting, to be held in second week in July. These gentlemen consented to serve, and, notwithstanding the short time at their disposal, managed to have everything in readiness by the opening day, July 9. Those who have never conducted a large open meeting can have but little idea of the troubles involved in getting things into working order. The sub-committee are entitled to the warmest thanks of lawn tennis players for the exertions made on their behalf by the gentlemen named.
“One of the most important desiderata was to obtain implements, in considerable quantities, of the best quality, made to suit the laws laid down by the sub-committee, and to ensure their delivery by the first day of the meeting. Balls especially gave much trouble. They were required of a certain weight, to be sewn in a particular way, and in fact had to be made for the occasion. In the emergency Messrs Jeffries and Co., the well-known manufacturers of Woolwich, were appealed to. They undertook to get everything in readiness by July 9, and what they promised they performed. It is not too much to say that the things they supplied were all that could be desired: nets of the right size and texture; posts of the right height and stoutness, and fifteen dozens balls, without a bad one amongst them. It is unnecessary to multiply details. Messrs Jeffries are too well known as manufacturers of lawn tennis implements to need any compliment from us that might be mistaken for a puff. A word should also be added for Messrs Asser and Sherwin, of 81, Strand, who kindly lent the wells to hold the balls, which were found very useful.
“The draw was advertised to take place in the Pavilion, at the All England Club Ground, Wimbledon, on Saturday, July 7, at 3.30 p.m. By the time fixed twenty-two gentlemen, including some of the highest lawn tennis talent in England, had sent in their names to contest for the honour of winning the first lawn tennis championship. Several other entries came later, and it was to be regretted that they could not be included; but when the draw has once taken place, the list cannot be reopened.
“In accordance with the programme, the value of the prizes was declared before the draw as follows: First prize, the champion gold prize, value £12. 12s., together with a silver challenge cup, presented by the proprietors of ‘The Field’; second prize, the silver prize, value £7. 7s.; third prize, value £3. 3s.
“The matches commenced on Monday, July 9, and continued on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 10, 11 and 12. The score was as under:
“LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP, open to all amateurs; entrance £1. 1s.; value of prizes to be declared before the draw; each match best of five sets; laws as per programme (see ‘The Field’ of June 16); “All England Regulations for the Management of Prize Meetings”; twenty-two entries.
[First round]
“Mr Spencer Gore beat Mr H.T. Gillson 6-2, 6-0, 6-3
“Mr Montague Hankey beat Mr R.D. Dalby 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
“Mr John Baker beat Mr J.W. Trist 6-1, 6-4, 6-0
“Mr F.N. Langham (w.o.), Mr Charles F. Buller (absent)
“Mr Robert Erskine beat Mr H. Wheeler 6-2, 6-5, 6-2
“Mr J. Lambert beat Mr H.G. Soden 6-1, 6-5, 6-5
“Mr Bayly N. Akroyd beat Mr G. Nicol 6-0, 6-0, 6-4
“Mr William C. Marshall beat Mr F.D. Jackson 6-3, 6-5, 6-0
“Mr Frederick W. Oliver beat Major Battye 6-1, 6-1, 6-1
“Mr Julian Marshall beat Captain Grimston 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
“Mr Charles G. Heathcote beat Captain G.F. Buxton 6-0, 6-2, 6-3
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[Second round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Hankey 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
“Mr Langham beat Mr Baker 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 6-5
“Mr Erskine beat Mr Lambert 6-2, 6-1, retired
“Mr William Marshall beat Mr Akroyd 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
“Mr Julian Marshall beat Mr Oliver 4-6, 6-5, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
“Mr Heathcote (a bye)
[Third round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Langham 6-3, 6-2, 5-6, 6-1
“Mr William Marshall beat Mr Erskine 6-5, 5-6, 6-4, 6-1
“Mr Heathcote beat Mr Julian Marshall 6-3, 6-3, 6-5
[Fourth round]
“Mr Gore beat Mr Heathcote 6-2, 6-5, 6-2
“William Marshall (a bye)
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