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William Renshaw

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William Renshaw
William and Ernest Renshaw.jpg
William (L) and Ernest (R) Renshaw
Full name William Charles Renshaw
Country  United Kingdom
Born (1861-01-03)January 3, 1861
Leamington, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Died August 2, 1904(1904-08-02) (aged 43)
Swanage, Dorset
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Plays Right-handed (1-handed backhand)
Singles
Career record 61-15
Career titles 17
Highest ranking No. 1 (1881)
Grand Slam Singles results
Wimbledon W ( 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1889)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
Wimbledon W (1884, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889)
Tennis players William and Ernest Renshaw on a postal card, around 1890

William "Willie" Charles Renshaw (3 January 1861 in Leamington, Warwickshire – 12 August 1904 in Swanage, Dorset) was a former World No. 1 British male tennis player active during the late 19th century. He was one of the most successful male players in the history of the Wimbledon Championships. The right-hander was known for his power and technical ability which put him ahead of competition at the time.

Career

He won a total of twelve Wimbledon titles. Seven of those were in singles, an all-time record he shares with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. The first six were consecutive, an achievement which has been unequaled to this day (although the five successive wins of Björn Borg and Roger Federer are considered the 'modern' record because in Renshaw's time the reigning champion had automatic entry to next year's final. Since 1922 the reigning champions have had to play in the main draw, making such feats considerably more difficult). In the Summer months he would compete in England and Ireland, while competing on the French Riviera during the winter months and practising on a private tennis court he and his brother had built at their own cost. In singles play he played his twin brother Ernest Renshaw three times (1882, 1883 and 1889) in the Wimbledon final, triumphing on all three occasions. The other five titles were in the Gentlemans' doubles, partnering with Ernest. Additionally, he and his brother dominated the sport for many years in a time when the only other Grand Slam was the US Open, and by custom players did not travel far. The rise in popularity of tennis in this period became known as the 'Renshaw Rush'. In 1888 William was elected the first president of the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). In 1983, William Renshaw was elected posthumously into the International Tennis Hall of Fame together with his brother.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (8)

Wins (7)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1881 Wimbledon United Kingdom John Hartley 6–0, 6–1, 6–1
1882 Wimbledon (2) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw 6–1, 2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–2
1883 Wimbledon (3) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw 2–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3
1884 Wimbledon (4) United Kingdom Herbert Lawford 6–0, 6–4, 9–7
1885 Wimbledon (5) United Kingdom Herbert Lawford 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5
1886 Wimbledon (6) United Kingdom Herbert Lawford 6–0, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
1889 Wimbledon (7) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5

Runner-ups (1)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1890 Wimbledon United Kingdom Willoughby Hamilton 6–8, 6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–1

Doubles (5)

Wins (5)

Year Tournament Partner Opponent in the final Score in the final
1884 Wimbledon United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw United Kingdom Ernest Lewis
United Kingdom E.L. Williams
6–3, 6–1, 1-6, 6-4
1885 Wimbledon (2) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw United Kingdom C.E. Farrer
United Kingdom A.J. Stanley
6–3, 6–3, 10-8
1886 Wimbledon (3) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw United Kingdom C.E. Farrer
United Kingdom A.J. Stanley
6–3, 6–3, 4-6, 7-5
1888 Wimbledon (4) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw United Kingdom Herbert Wilberforce
United Kingdom Patrick Bowes-Lyon
2-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
1889 Wimbledon (5) United Kingdom Ernest Renshaw United Kingdom Ernest Lewis
United Kingdom George Hillyard
6–4, 6–4, 3-6, 0-6, 6-1

Grand Slam record

Wimbledon

  • Singles champion: 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1889
  • Singles finalist: 1890
  • Doubles champion: 1884, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889
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