1888 women's tennis season

The 1888 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 65 national, regional, county, and regular tournaments. It was the 13th annual season since the first women's tennis tournaments were held in 1876. The season began in February in Auckland, New Zealand, and ended in December in Napier, New Zealand.[1]

1888 Women's tennis season
Blanche Hillyard won the Irish Championships in May, she was also title leader this year
Details
Duration27 February – 30 December
Edition13th
Tournaments65
CategoriesImportant (4)
National (4)
Provincial/Regional/State (14)
County (12)
Regular (31)
Achievements (singles)
Most tournament titlesEngland Blanche Hillyard (7)
Most tournament finalsEngland Blanche Hillyard (9)
1887
1889

Summary of season edit

From 1888 until 1912 Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), grew in status and influence to become the de facto international tennis governing body before the proper International Lawn Tennis Federation commenced operations.[2] Despite the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA) forming in 1881 a good seven years before the LTA, it was the British body that set laws, settled disputes and organized the increasingly complicated tournament calendar before the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) formed in March, 1913.[3]

After the formation of the ILTF the world tennis circuit going forward was a highly organised and structured network of national and international tournaments.[4] Most tennis tournaments were usually mixed events for men and women, and the women's international tennis circuit certainly up to 1923 was composed mainly of tournaments on the British and European Circuits.[5] After the USNLTA joined the ILTF this would later change with more and more tournaments being staged globally. Women tennis players on the world circuit up to the open era were funded by their national associations enabling them to travel and take part in international tournaments.[6]

1888 sees a decrease in the number women's singles events on the previous year being held as the tennis circuit continues to form.[7] The 1888 women's tennis season began on 27 February with the|Auckland Association Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.[1] In May 1888 at the first major event of the year the Irish Championships[8] played at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin, Ireland. England's Blanche Hillyard wins the singles title for the first time compatriot Bertha Steedman two sets to love.[9] The ladies doubles event is won by English sister's Bertha Steedman and Mary Steedman, and in the mixed doubles Margaret Bracewell partnering Ernest Wool Lewis defeat the English/Irish pairing of Bertha Steedman and Hugh Cairns.[10] In June 1888 sees a change in scheduling when the U.S. National Championships held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, PA are brought forward this month, Bertha Townsend sweeps away title holder Ellen Hansell in straight sets.[11]

Later at the end of June the third major tournament of the year the Northern Championships is played at the Liverpool Cricket Club in Liverpool sees Lottie Dod retain her title beating Irish Champion Blanche Hillyard in straights sets, the women's doubles event is won by the sister's Ann Dod and Lottie Dod who defeat the English/Irish pairing of Margaret Bracewell and May Langrishe in the final.[12] The All England mixed doubles event is won by Blanche Hillyard and Ernest Renshaw defeating Lottie Dod and John Charles Kay on their way to the title.[13] In June Ireland's Connie Butler wins the Scottish Championships in Edinburgh against England's Ann Dod,[14] and at the Welsh Championships in Penarth Blanche Hillyard takes the title against Miss N Pope.[15]

In July at the 1888 Wimbledon Championships the world's first major tennis tournament, Lottie Dod successfully defends last years title, when she defeats Blanche Hillyard in straight sets to claim her second major title of the season.[16] The season ended on 30 December 1888 at the New Zealand Championships, held in Napier, New Zealand played on grass.[1]

Season results edit

Prior to the creation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the establishment of its world championship events in 1913 the Wimbledon Championships, the U.S. National Championships, the Irish Lawn Tennis Championships and the Northern Championships were considered by players and historians as the four most important tennis tournaments to win.[17][18][19]

This is a calendar of all known official events that were administered by national, regional, provincial, state, and county lawn tennis associations in the year 1888, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage where historical sources have permitted.

Key

Important.[20][21][22][23]
National
Provincial/State/Regional
County
Regular

January edit

No events

February edit

No events

March edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
1 Mar. Auckland Association Championships
Auckland, New Zealand
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss. Mowbray
6–2, 6–0
  Miss. Jahn

April edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
12 Apr. Ceylon Championships[24]
The Hill Club
Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  Miss I. J. Watson
6–1, 6–1, 6–5
  Miss A'Esterre

May edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
7 May.[1] Inter-Colonial Lawn Tennis Tournament[25]
(Championship of New South Wales)
Sydney, Australia
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Lillian Scott
8–6, 6–4
  Ellen Mayne   Eliza Fitzgerald
  Edith L Fox
  Florence Batt
  Ellen Blaxland
  Ada Keele
  Miss Maddrell
Challenger
  Ellen Mayne
  Lilian Scott
  Zilla Scott
6–1, 3–6, 6–2
  Edith Fox
  Ellen Mayne
  Ellen Mayne
  Dudley Webb
6–4, 2–6, 6–1
  Zilla Scott
  Alec Chomley
26 May.[1] West of Scotland Championships[26]
Pollockshields Athletic Club
Pollokshields, Scotland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Rose
6–0, 10–8
  Miss Simpson
26 May Flushing Spring Tournament[27][28]
Flushing Athletic Club
Flushing, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Ellen M. Lynch
6–3, 6–3, 6–3
  Miss Ward   Miss Bogert
  Miss Mann
Irish Championships[29]
Fitzwilliam LTC
Dublin, Ireland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
7–5, 6–2
  Bertha Steedman   Constance Bryan
  May Langrishe
  Connie Butler
  Margaret Bracewell
  Mary Steedman
  Isabella Smyth
  Bertha Steedman
  Mary Steedman
6–2, 3–6, 6–1[1]
  Margaret Bracewell
  Blanche Hillyard
  Margaret Bracewell
  Ernest Wool Lewis
6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 9–7
  Bertha Steedman
  H Cairns

June edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
1 Jun Washington D.C. Open Tournament[30]
Kendall Green
Washington D.C., United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Florence Bayard
6–2, 6–0, 6–1
  Agnes S. Bartlett
  Florence Bayard
  Annie J. Safford
6–0, 6–1, 6–3
  Agnes S. Bartlett
  Sallie A. Bartlett
2 Jun. Championship of West of England[31]
Lansdown Cricket Club
Bath, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Lottie Dod
6–3, 6–0
  N. Pope   Margaret Bracewell
  Gertrude Gibbs
  Ann Dod
  Blanche Hillyard
  Beatrice Langrishe
  Ann Dod
  Lottie Dod
11–9, 7–5
  Beatrice Langrishe
  N. Pope
  Margaret Bracewell
  Harry Grove
6–4, 4–6, 6–1[1]
  Lottie Dod
  Anthony Dod
New York Tennis Club Spring Open
New York Tennis Club
New York City, United States
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Locke
6–1, 6–1
  A McKinley   Adelaide Badgley
  Mrs Johnson
  Adelaide Badgley
  Howard Badgley
Won
  Augustus Schultz
  William D. Hobart
9 Jun. East Gloucestershire Championships[1]
Cheltenham LTC
Grass
Cheltenham, England
Singles - Doubles
  Louisa Martin
6–4, 5–7, 6–2
  Blanche Hillyard   Margaret Bracewell
  Miss Fenwick
  Gertrude Bracewell
  Ellen Browne
  M. Crossley
  Beatrice Langrishe
Whitehouse Open[1]
Whitehouse LTC
Edinburgh, Scotland
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  Ann Dod
6–2, 8–6
  J Ferguson
  Ann Dod
  J Ferguson
6–2, 6–4
  Miss Meikle
  Jane Meikle
  Ann Dod
  Richard Millar Watson
5–7, 6–3, 6–4
  J Ferguson
  CD Murray
13 Jun. Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament[32]
Trent Bridge Ground
Nottingham, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Florence Noon
6–2, 6–1
  Frances Snook   Charlotte Snook
  Agnes Noon Watts
  Miss Exham
  Mrs Hill
15 Jun.[11] U.S. National Championships
Philadelphia Country Club
Philadelphia, United States
Grass
Singles
  Bertha Townsend
6–3, 6–5
  Marion Wright   Adeline Robinson   Ellen Roosevelt
  Violet Ward
Challenger
  Ellen Hansell
16 Jun. Kent All-Comers' Championships[33]
Beckenham LTC
Beckenham, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  May Jacks
1–6, 6–3, 6–0
  Edith Gurney   Miss Canning
  N. Howes
  Miss Aste
  E. Forrest
  J. Kennedy
  A. Wickham
  Edith Gurney
  Charles Ross
  May Jacks
  “A.N. Other”
Scottish Championships
Dyvour Club
Edinburgh, Scotland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Connie Butler
6–3, 6–3
  Beatrice Wood   E, Ferguson
  J. Ferguson
  Jane Meikle
  Miss Meikle
  Miss Rankine
Challenger
  Ann Dod
Welsh Championships[34]
Penarth LTC
Penarth, Wales
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
6–3, 6–3
  Miss N. Pope
22 Jun London Championships[35]
London Athletic Club
Stamford Bridge, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
6–4, 6–3
  Miss Canning   Mrs A. Burr
Challenger
  May Jacks
23 Jun. Northern Championships[36]
Liverpool Cricket Club
Liverpool, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Lottie Dod
6–3, 9–7
  May Langrishe   Margaret Bracewell
  Louisa Martin
  Gertrude Bracewell
  Florence Mardall
  Beatrice Wood
  Florence Stanuell
Challenger
  Blanche Hillyard
  Ann Dod
  Lottie Dod
6–3, 6–2
  Margaret Bracewell
  May Langrishe
  Blanche Hillyard
  Ernest Renshaw
7–5, 10–8
  Lottie Dod
  John Charles Kay
30 Jun. Waterloo Tournament[37]
Waterloo LTC
Waterloo, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Ann Dod
4–6, 6–0, 6–3
  K. Hill
  M. Pick
  John Charles
8–6, 6–3
  K. Hill
  William Wethered
Midland Counties Championships[38]
Edgbaston CLTC
Edgbaston, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Margaret Bracewell
7–5, 6–2
  Florence Mardall   Gertrude Bracewell
  J. Wray
  Mrs G Elkington
  Bertha Steedman
  Mary Steedman
  Lilian Watson
  Lilian Watson
  Maud Watson
6–0 1–0, retd
  Bertha Steedman
  Mary Steedman
  Maud Watson
  John Redfern Deykin
0–6, 7–5, 6–2[1]
  Bertha Steedman
  George Brown

July edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
1 Jul. Natal Championships
Pietermaritzburg, Colony of Natal
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Mabel Grant
6–4, 6–3
  Norah Hickman   Beatrice Grant
  Miss Lloyd
  Miss Grant
  Miss Nimmo
Challenger
  L. Button
  L. Button
  Reuben Benningfield
6–1, 6–3
  Mabel Grant
  William J. Grant
21 Jul. Taunton and West Somerset Lawn Tennis Tournament[1]
Coton Hill Institution Grounds
Stafford, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  N. Pope
default
  Louisa Sweet-Escott   A. Boucher
  Ada Meyler
  Angel Smith
  Miss Kepple-Taylor
  N. Pope
  Louisa Sweet-Escott
6–2, 6–4
  Ada Meyler
  Jessie Meyler
7 Jul. Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Tournament[1]
Coton Hill Institution Grounds
Stafford, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Agnes Watts
6–1, 0–6, 6–4
  Bertha Steedman
  Bertha Steedman
  Ernest Wool Lewis
6–4, 6–1
  Mary Steedman
  John Redfern Deykin
19 Jul. Leamington Open Tournament
Leamington Spa, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Alice Pickering
4–6, 6–1, 6–2
  Mrs Christie
19 Jul. Wimbledon Championships[39]
AELTC
London, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Lottie Dod
6–2, 6–0
  Miss Howes   D. Patterson
  Miss Phillimore
  Miss Canning
  Blanche Williams
Challenger
  Blanche Hillyard
24 Jul. Meadow Club Invitation[40]
Meadow Club
Southampton, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  E. K. Lente
6–4, 5–6, 6–4
  A Smallwood   May Colby
  M. Lente
  Mrs Babbitt
  J Fraser
  E. W. Smith
  N Trowbridge
  E. K. Lente
  A. Smallwood
6–1, 6–1
  May Colby
  J Fraser
  Miss Betts
  Henry Slocum
6–4, 11–9
  Miss Gregory
  Oliver Samuel Campbell
28 Jul Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament
Ilkley LTC
Ilkley, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Margaret Bracewell
3–6, 6–0, 7–5
  Mabel Boulton   Gertrude Bracewell
  L. Chatterton-Clarke
  M. Crossley
  Miss Hutchinson
Challenger
  Beatrice Wood
  Margaret Bracewell
  James Baldwin
default
  Gertrude Bracewell
  Marmaduke S. Constable
Middlesex Championships
Chiswick, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
6–2, 6–4
  Edith Cole   Ethel Gurney
  Miss Malcolm
  Mrs Anderson
  Miss Howes
  May Jacks
  H. James
Challenger
  D Patterson (holder)
  Edith Gurney
  Blanche Hillyard
6–1, 6–3
  D Patterson
  J Wray
29 Jul. Ealing LTC Championship
Ealing LTC
Ealing, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  A. Francesca Brown
Won
  ?

August edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
4 Aug. Northumberland Championships[41]
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Connie Butler
3–6, 6–4, 6–4
  Ann Dod   Helen Jackson
  Beatrice Wood
  Mrs Raggett
  Miss Swarbreck
  Miss Tarver
  A. Turner
  Ann Dod
  John Galbraith Horn
walkover
  Helen Jackson
  Charles Liddell
6 Aug Derbyshire Championships[42]
Buxton, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
7–5, 6–1
  May Langrishe   Gertrude Bracewell
  M. Goodman
  Margaret Bracewell
  M. Crossley
  Katherine Hill
  Miss Pickthall
  Lottie Dod
  May Langrishe
6–3, 6–3
  Bertha Steedman
  Mary Steedman
  Lottie Dod
  William Drummond Hamilton
6–0, 6–1
  Margaret Bracewell
  Tom Campion
Staten Island Invitation
Staten Island Athletic Club
West New Brighton, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Adeline Robinson
6–1, 6–1
  G. Quartley   A. Larkin
  L. Vorhees
  L. Bailey
  Miss Dean
  N. Janssen
  Gertrude Williams
  Adeline Robinson
  Gertrude Williams
6–0, 6–1
  M. Bailey
  G. Quartley
9 Aug Darlington Association Tournament[43]
Feethams Cricket Ground
Darlington, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Beatrice Wood
3–6, 6–0, 6–3
  Ann Dod
  Ann Dod
  Miss Lucas
5–7, 6–4, 6–2
  Ethel Cheese
  Mary Cheese
  Ann Dod
  John Galbraith Horn
7–5, 13–11
  Constance Bowes-Lyon
  Patrick Bowes-Lyon
10 Aug Keswick and Lake District Lawn Tennis Tournament[44]
Fitz Park
Keswick, England.
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Lydia Cheetham
5–7, 6–3, 6–2
  Florence Haines
  Miss Allen
  J.E.R. Allen
1–6, 6–1, 6–4
  E. Haines
  Edgar J. Chippendale
East Grinstead Lawn Tennis Tournament[45]
East Grinstead LTCC
East Grinstead, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Ivy Arbuthnot
  May Arbuthnot
divided title
  Ivy Arbuthnot
  May Arbuthnot
6–1, 6–0
  Miss Birch
  Miss Thompson
  A. Covey
  Harold Stone
7–5, 6–3
  J. Saint Clair
  P.E. Wallis
11 Aug Exmouth Tournament[46]
Exmouth Ground
Exmouth, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
6–3, 6–1
  Miss Bryan   Katharine Kindersley
  Lilian Pine-Coffin
  Edith Gurney
  Beatrice Langrishe
  May Langrishe
  Florence Mardall
  Ann Dod
  Miss Lucas
5–7, 6–4, 6–2
  Ethel Cheese
  Mary Cheese
17 Aug British Columbia Lawn Tennis Championships
Victoria LTC
Victoria, Canada
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Frances Arrowsmith
Won
  Anastasia Musgrave
18 Aug East of Scotland Championships
St Andrews, Scotland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Jane Meikle
6–3, 6–4
  A Corbett
Felixstowe Open Lawn Tennis Tournament
Felixstowe LTC
Felixstowe, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Nellie Turner
4–6, 6–2, 10–8
  F Green
  Helen Kersey
  Herbert Kersey
6–3, 6–0
  Mrs K.E. Hawkins
  Arthur B. Longe
20 Aug Narragansett Pier Open[47]
Narragansett, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Adeline Robinson
6–0, 6–1, 6–0
  Ellen Roosevelt
  Ellen Roosevelt
  Oliver Samuel Campbell
6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3
  Adeline Robinson
  Howard Augustus Taylor
23 Aug Saxmundham LTC Tournament
Hurts Hall Park
Saxmundham, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Norman
6–1, 6–2
  Edith Austin
  E. Hawkins
  G. Rant
6–2, 6–3
  K. Gilbert
  E. Rawlinson
  Miss Norman
  G. Norman
6–0, 6–2
  E. Rawlinson
  Rodwell
24 Aug Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament
Torquay, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Mockler
  A. Foley
  Edith Gurney
  Ernest Wool Lewis
6–1, 6–2
  Miss Wolfe
  William Inchbald
25 Aug Hitchin Tournament
Hitchin, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  May Jacks
6–0, 6–3
  Florence Hilda Caldecott
  Ivy Arbuthnot
  May Arbuthnot
6–3, 3–6, 9–7
  Geraldine Buttanshaw
  Rosamond Buttanshaw
  May Jacks
  Herbert C. Yockney
6–3, 6–3
  Geraldine Buttanshaw
  Charles Gladstone Allen
South of Scotland Championships
Moffat, Scotland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  E. Malcolm
6–4, 3–6, 6–3
  Lottie Paterson
  E. Malcolm
  Lottie Paterson
6–2, 6–2
  Miss Pierce
  A Pierce
  E. Malcolm
  F.R.B. Pinhorn
6–1, 4–6, 6–2
  Lottie Paterson
  B McCulloch
26 Aug. Southern California Championships
Santa Monica Casino Courts
Santa Monica, United States
Asphalt
Singles - Doubles
  Miss G. Gilliland
6–2, 6–0
  May Carter   Miss Schumacher
  Mrs. Waring
  R. P. Carter
6–2, 6–3
  Miss Gilliland
  Miss Schumacher
27 Aug County Kildare Championship[48]
Naas, Ireland
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss. A. Weldon
6–1, 6–4
  Miss. C. DeBurgh
  Miss. A. Weldon
  John C. Kennedy
6–4, 7–5, 6–2
  Mrs Ambrose Escott
  G. Weidon
28 Aug North of England Championships
Scarborough, Great Britain
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Margaret Bracewell
1–6, 6–4, 9–7, 6–4
  Connie Butler   Mary Steedman
  Beatrice Wood
  Ann Dod
  M Crossley
  Clara Hill
  A. Turner
Challenger
  Bertha Steedman
  Ann Dod
  Lottie Dod
6–3, 6–4
  Bertha Steedman
  Mary Steedman
  Margaret Bracewell
  Harry Grove
6–3, 6–1
  Gertrude Bracewell
  Percy Bateman Brown
Seabright Invitational Tournament
Seabright LTCC
Rumson, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Clarkson
6–2, 6–0
  B. Lockwood
  B. Lockwood
  H. Alexander
4–6, 6–3, 6–0
  Miss Thomas
  W. Ward
Winnipeg Open Lawn Tennis Tournament[49]
Winnipeg LTC
Winnipeg, Canada
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss F. Adams
6–5, 6–3
  Mrs. Eden
  Mrs. Ruttan
  R.D. Applegate
6–3, 6–4
  Mrs. Nares
  Mr. Tuckweel

September edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
1 Sep. Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament
Bournemouth CLTC
Bournemouth, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  May Langrishe
6–1, 7–5
  Beatrice Langrishe   Miss Elphinston
  Miss Williams
  A. Everitt
  Grace Grissell
  J.R. Robinson
  Mrs Surman
Holder
  Constance Bryan
  Beatrice Langrishe
  May Langrishe
4–6, 6–4, 6–1
  Miss Bryan
  A. Everitt
3 Sep. Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament
Sheffield, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Clark
6–1, 6–2
  Miss Crossley
11 Sep South of England Championships
Devonshire Park LTC
Eastbourne, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Blanche Hillyard
6–1, 6–1
  Constance Smith   E. Malcolm
  Gertrude Mellersh
  Edith Gurney
  Elizabeth Mocatta
  Blanche Pedley
  Catherine Triscott
Holder
  Margaret Bracewell
  Margaret Bracewell
  Harry S. Barlow
6–8, 6–2, 6–3
  Blanche Hillyard
  Tom Campion
13 Sep Boulogne International Championship
TC Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  Mrs Knock
2–6, 6–2, 7–5
  Miss Hick
15 Sep Armagh Lawn Tennis Tournament[50]
Archery LTC
Armagh, Ireland
Asphalt
Singles - Doubles
  Lena Rice
2–1 sets
  May Langrishe
16 Sep Wijk aan Zee Ladies Tournament
(round robin event)
Wijk aan Zee TC
Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  E. van de Poll
2–0 matches
  Baronesse van Tuijll van Serooskerker
  Mej. Matzen
Essex Championships[51]
Connaught Club
Chingford, England
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Triscott
6–4, 0–6, 6–4
  Brenda James
18 Sep New Hamburg Invitation[52]
New Hamburg LTC
New Hamburg, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Ellen Roosevelt
Won
  May Colby   Anna Kerr
  Ellen Roosevelt
  Grace Roosevelt
Won
  Miss V. Hobart
  Camilla Moss
19 Sep New York Tennis Club Fall Open[53]
New York Tennis Club
New York City, United States
Clay
Singles - Doubles
No Women's Singles   May Colby
  Mrs H.G. Badgley
  Lida Vorhees
5–6, 6–1, 6–4
  Miss Hobart
  V. Hobart
Belmont Fall Tennis Tournament[54]
Belmont Cricket Club
West Philadelphia, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Bertha Townsend
9–7, 8–6
  Nellie F. Hansell
  Helen S. Taylor
  Laura Knight
6–0, 6–5
  Millie Dreka
  Helen Brown
22 Sep. Queensland Association Tournament
(later Queensland Championships)
Brisbane, Australia
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss Earle
12–9
  Mrs. Gilligan
29 Sep Hudson River Championships[55]
Far & Near LTC
Hastings-on-Hudson, United States
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Ellen Roosevelt
Won
  ?
  Ellen Roosevelt
  Grace Roosevelt
Won
  ?
  ?

October edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semi finalist Quarter finalist
6 Oct Ladies Club for Outdoor Sports Open
Livingston, United States
Singles - Doubles
  Adeline Robinson
4–6, 6–2, 6–3.
  Miss Lesley
  Ellen Roosevelt
  Grace Roosevelt
6–2, 6–0
  Adeline Robinson
  G. Williams
14 Oct Delaware Field Club Open[56]
Delaware Field Club
Wilmington, United States
Clay
Singles - Doubles
  Florence Bayard
6–3, 6–0
    Katharine Pyle

November edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
1 Nov. Victorian Championships
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
Singles - Doubles
  Miss M Mayne
6–1, 3–6, 6–4
  Nellie A’Beckett   E. M. Denny's
  Mabel Shaw
  Annie Chenery
  Annie Chenery
  Nellie Chenery
6–4, 6–5
  Ellen Mayne
  Phenie Shaw
  Nellie A'Beckett
  Henry F. de Little
Won
?

December edit

Ended Tournament Winner Finalist Semifinalist Quarterfinalist
30 Dec New Zealand Championships[57]
Farndon Park
Napier, New Zealand
Singles - Doubles
  E. Gordon
6–5, 9–7
  Hilda Hitchings   Sarah Tanner
  Miss Weby
  Miss Bibby
  Una Hitchings
  E Gordon
  Hilda Hitchings
6–2, 6–2
  Miss Hill
  Mrs E Tanner
  E Gordon
  Frederick Wilding
6–1, 6–3
  Hilda Hitchings
  CD Kennedy

Tournament winners (singles) edit

This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1888 major titles in bold:

  •   Blanche Hillyard – Buxton, Chiswick Park, Eastbourne, Exmouth, Penarth, Irish Championships Stamford Bridge, (7)
  •   Lottie Dod – Bath, Northern Championships, Wimbledon Championships (3)
  •   Adeline Robinson – Livingston, Narragansett, West New Brighton, (3)
  •   Ann Dod – Edinburgh II, Waterloo (2)
  •   Connie Butler – Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, (2)
  •   May Jacks – Beckenham, Hitchin (2)
  •   Margaret Bracewell – Edgbaston, Scarborough, (2)
  •   Bertha Townsend – West Philadelphia, U.S. National Championships, (2)
  •   Florence Bayard – Washington D.C., Wilmington, (2)
  •   Beatrice Wood – Darlington, Ilkley, (2)
  •   Ellen Roosevelt – Hastings-on-Hudson, New Hamburg (2)
  •   Miss. I. J. Watson – Nuwara Eliya (1)
  •   Lilian Scott – Sydney (1)
  •   Miss Rose – Pollokshields (1)
  •   Ellen M. Lynch – Flushing (1)
  •   Miss Locke – New York City (1)
  •   Louisa Martin – Cheltenham (1)
  •   Florence Noon – Nottingham (1)
  •   Mabel Grant – Pietermaritzburg (1)
  •   Alice Pickering – Leamington Spa (1)
  •   Agnes Noon Watts – Stafford (1)
  •   Francesca Brown – Ealing (1)
  •   Lydia Cheetham – Keswick (1)
  •   Ivy Arbuthnot – East Grinstead (1)
  •   Jane Meikle – St Andrews (1)
  •   Nellie Turner – Felixstowe (1)
  •   Miss Norman – Saxmundham (1)
  •   Miss Mockler – Torquay (1)
  •   E. K. Lente – Southampton (1)
  •   E Malcolm – Moffat (1)
  •   Miss. A. Weldon – Naas (1)
  •   Frances Arrowsmith – Victoria (1)
  •   Miss F. Adams – Winnipeg (1)
  •   Miss Gilliland – Santa Monica (1)
  •   Miss Clarkson – Rumson (1)
  •   Miss Triscott – Chingford, (1)
  •   May Langrishe – Bournemouth (1)
  •   Lena Rice – Armagh (1)
  •   L. Chatterton-Clarke – Sheffield (1)
  •   Miss Knock – Boulogne-sur-Mer (1)
  •   Miss Earle – Brisbane (1)
  •   E. van de Poll – Wijk aan Zee (1)
  •   Ellen Mayne – Melbourne (1)
  •   E. Gordon – Napier (1)

Statistical summary edit

Singles edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Garcia, Gabriel. "Season: 1888". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SAL. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  2. ^ Lake, Robert J. (19 Feb 2019). Tennis governance from: Routledge Handbook of Tennis, History, Culture and Politics. Oxford: Routledge. p. 341.
  3. ^ Lake. p.343.
  4. ^ Someren, Janine van (December 2010). "3: The Amateur Tennis Circuit". Women's Sporting Lives: A biographical study of elite amateur tennis players at Wimbledon. A thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Southampton, England: University of Southampton Research Repository. pp. 28–32.
  5. ^ Someren p.35.
  6. ^ Someren p.31.
  7. ^ Berry. David (2020). A people's history of tennis. (2) Feminists. Pluto Books London ISBN 978-0745339658. p.37.
  8. ^ Irish TV Documentary (4 Jul 2016). The True Tale Of The Irish Tennis Murderer. Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE). Dublin. Ireland.
  9. ^ "THE IRISH LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS". Northern Whig. Antrim, Northern Ireland: British Newspaper Archive. 28 May 1888. p. 8. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  10. ^ Northern Whig (May 1888)
  11. ^ a b Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). New York: New Chapter Press. pp. 453–454, 465, 476. ISBN 978-0942257700.
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  13. ^ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser
  14. ^ "SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS". Sporting Gazette. London, England: British Newspaper Archive. 23 June 1888. p. 15. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  15. ^ "WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS. FINALS". Sporting Gazette. London, England: British Newspaper Archive. 30 June 1888. p. 24. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  16. ^ "The Championships 1888 - Ladies' All-Comers' Singles" (PDF). Wimbledon. London, England: AELTC. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  17. ^ Robertson, Max (1974). The Encyclopedia of Tennis. London: Allen & Unwin. pp. 266, 267. ISBN 9780047960420.
  18. ^ Meyers, A. Wallis (1903). Lawn Tennis at Home and Abroad. New York: Charles Scribner and Sons. p. 55.
  19. ^ Lake, Robert J. (2014). A Social History of Tennis in Britain. Routledge. p. 49. ISBN 9781134445578.
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  30. ^ "Celebrated at Oak View". National Republican. Washington, D.C.: newspapers.com. 3 Jun 1888. p. 1. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  31. ^ "BATH LAWN TENNIS WEEK: FINAL ROUND. CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND". Bristol Mercury. Bristol, England: British Newspaper Archive. 2 June 1888. p. 8. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  32. ^ "The John Player Nottingham Tennis Tournament: Record of Winners Nottingham Lawn Tennis Tournament (1887-1970)" (PDF). Nottingham Castle LTC. Notts Lawn Tennis Association. 7 June 1971. pp. 1–7. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Kent All-Comers' Championships 1886-1996". www.beckenhamtennisclub.co.uk/. Beckenham, England: Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  34. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. Welsh Championship". Monmouthshire Beacon. Monmouthshire, Wales: British Newspaper Archive. 23 June 1888. p. 6. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
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  40. ^ Valentine G. Hall, "Lawn Tennis in America" (1889), p.32-35
  41. ^ "NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY OPEN TOURNAMENT". Newcastle Daily Chronicle. Northumberland, England: British Newspaper Archive. 4 August 1888. p. 7. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  42. ^ "LAWN TENNIS ... Ladies' Singles Open Championship of Derbyshire". Derby Mercury. Derbyshire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 8 August 1888. p. 3. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  43. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. DARLINGTON TOURNAMENT". Leeds Mercury. Yorkshire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 9 August 1888. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  44. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. KESWICK AND LAKES DISTRICT TOURNAMENT". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. Yorkshire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 13 August 1888. p. 8. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  45. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. EAST GRINSTEAD OPEN TOURNAMENT". Sporting Life. London, England: British Newspaper Archive. 11 August 1888. p. 3. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  46. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. EXMOUTH LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT". Western Morning News. Devon, England: British Newspaper Archive. 13 August 1888. p. 6. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  47. ^ Valentine G. Hall, Lawn Tennis in America (1889), p.3
  48. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. County Kildare Tournament". Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser. Dublin, Republic of Ireland: newspapers.com. 27 Aug 1888. p. 7. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  49. ^ "SUMMER SPORTING. LAWN TENNIS". Manitoba Weekly Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.: newspapers.com. 30 Aug 1888. p. 7. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  50. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. ARMAGH LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT". Belfast News-Letter. Antrim, Northern Ireland: British Newspaper Archive. 17 September 1888. p. 3. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  51. ^ "LAWN TENNIS. THE ESSEX CHAMPIONSHIP AND OPEN TOURNAMENT". Essex Weekly News. Essex, England: British Newspaper Archive. 21 September 1888. p. 3. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  52. ^ Gill Hall, Valentine. (1889). Lawn Tennis in America: Biographical Sketches of All the Prominent Players ... Knotty Points, and All the Latest Rules and Directions Governing Handicaps, Umpires, and Rules for Playing. D.W. Granbery & Company. New York, NY. p.17.
  53. ^ "NEW YORK TENNIS CLUB TOURNAMENT". New-York Tribune. New York City, New York: newspapers.com. 21 Sep 1888. p. 8. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  54. ^ "Belmont Tennis Tournament Unfinished". The Philadelphia Times. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: newspapers.com. 19 Sep 1888. p. 1. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  55. ^ Gill Hall, Valentine. (1889). Lawn Tennis in America: Biographical Sketches of All the Prominent Players ... Knotty Points, and All the Latest Rules and Directions Governing Handicaps, Umpires, and Rules for Playing. D.W. Granbery & Company. New York, NY. p.52.
  56. ^ "TENNIS TOURNAMENT". The Morning News. Wilmington, Delaware: newspapers.com. 2 Oct 1888. p. 4. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  57. ^ "Tennis NZ Roll of Honour" (PDF). Tennis Kiwi. Tennis New Zealand. 2020. pp. 18, 19, 20. Retrieved 10 December 2023.

Sources edit

  • Bartlett, Michael and Gillen, Bob. (1981) The Tennis Book, edited by Michael Bartlett and Bob Gillen, Arbor House, New York, ISBN 0-87795-344-9
  • Collins, Bud. Total Tennis:The Ultimate Tennis Encyclopedia, Sport Classic Books, Toronto, Canada, ISBN 0-9731443-4-3.
  • Garcia, Gabriel. "Season: 1888". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SAL.
  • Hall, Valentine Gill. (1889). Lawn Tennis in America: Biographical Sketches of All the Prominent Players ... Knotty Points, and All the Latest Rules and Directions Governing Handicaps, Umpires, and Rules for Playing. D.W. Granbery & Company. Boston.
  • Hughes, G.P. Dunlop Lawn Tennis Almanack And Tournament Guide, G.P. Hughes
  • Lowe, Sir F. Gordon. Lowe's Lawn Tennis Annuals and Compendia, Eyre & Spottiswoode. London, England.
  • Someren, Janine van (December 2010). "3: The Amateur Tennis Circuit". Women's Sporting Lives: A biographical study of elite amateur tennis players at Wimbledon. A thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Southampton, England: University of Southampton Research Repository.
  • Wallis Myers A. Ayre's Lawn Tennis Almanack And Tournament Guide, London, England.