The Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open Championships[1] and informally called the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open was a men's and women's grass court tennis tournament first established in 1900. The championship was first held on courts at the Bath Grounds in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. The tournament ran until 1926 when it was suddenly discontinued. It was revived in 1930 and continued till 1939 when it was finally abolished.
| Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open Championships | |
|---|---|
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Tour | ILTF Circuit |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Abolished | 1939 |
| Location | Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England |
| Venue | Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club |
| Surface | Grass |
History edit
In 1900 Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open Championship was formally established. The tournament was originally organised by the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Lawn Tennis Association and Club and was played at the Bath Grounds in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England.
In 1926 the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Lawn Tennis Association Club changed its name to the Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club was formally incorporated on land it has purchased at Ashby Park that was part of Ashby De La Zouch Castle owned by the Hasting's family.[2] After which the tournament moved there. The new venue consisted if three grass courts and two red shale clay courts, and a wooden pavilion, with veranda plus a separate changing hut.[3]
In 1900, 1901, 1904 and 1909 this tournament was also valid as the Leicestershire Championships with players being awarded both titles. e.g. Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open Champion and Leicestershire Champion. On 18 November 1926 it was announced by the Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Association (f.1900), today called Tennis Leicestershire,[4] that the tournament was to be dropped from its official schedule of events citing financial constraints.[5] In 1930 the championships were revived and continued to be held until 1939,[6] when it was fully discontinued due to World War II.
Finals edit
Men's singles edit
(incomplete roll)
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900[7] |  Edward Roy Allen |
Frederick William Payn |
6–2, 6–2.[7] |
| 1901 | Edward Roy Allen (2) |
C.M. Bartlett |
6–0, 6–2.[7] |
| 1904 | A.P. Ford |
L. West |
6–0, 6–2, 9–7.[7] |
| 1909 | Edward Roy Allen (3) |
Harry Alabaster Parker |
6–4, 6–4, 6–4.[7] |
| 1920 |  Louis Raymond |
Cecil J. Tindell-Green |
6–0, 6–4.[7] |
| 1921 | George S. Fletcher |
H.J. Weston |
6–1, 6–3, 6-1.[7] |
Women's singles edit
(incomplete roll)
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Helen Cressy Green |
Ida Cressy |
walkover | |
| 1901 | Helen Cressy Green (2) |
Ida Cressy |
walkover | |
| 1902 | Maude Garfit |
Miss Cressy |
6–2, 6–3 | |
| 1904 | Maude Garfit (2) |
Elizabeth Lunt Heatley |
6–7, retd. | |
| 1906 | Winifred Longhurst |
Elsie Lane |
6–3, 6–4 | |
| 1908 | Elizabeth Lunt Heatley |
C. Jones |
divided prizes | |
| 1909 | Winifred Longhurst (2) |
Kathleen Clements |
6–2, 6–2 | |
| 1915–18 | Not held due to World war I | |||
| 1920 | Doris Kate Craddock |
Mrs J.B. Perrett |
8–6, 8–6 | |
| 1921 | Mabel Davy Clayton |
Mabel Squire Parton |
10–8, 6–2 | |
| 1922 | Mabel Davy Clayton (2) |
M.A. Wright |
6–2, 6–3 | |
| 1923 |  Elizabeth Ryan |
Mary Hart McIlquham |
6–1, 6–3 | |
| 1924 | Mary Hart McIlquham |
Marie Hazel |
5–7, 6–3, 6–2 | |
| 1926 | Mrs P. Whitley |
Mrs Munro |
8–6, 7–5 | |
References edit
- ^ "ASHBY TENNIS BOMBSHELL: The Ashby-de-la-Zouch Championship Meeting is to be discontinued". Leicester Evening Mail. Leicestershire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 18 November 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ "History". clubspark.lta.org.uk. Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club
- ^ "Tennis Leicestershire". Tennis Leicestershire. LTA. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ Leicester Evening Mail (18 November 1926) p.8.
- ^ "ASHBY TENNIS: Meredith Beats Taylor For the Singles Title Despite the rain, Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open Lawn Tennis Championships were almost completed on Saturday, but was abandoned due to rain, they will conclude tomorrow Sunday". Leicester Daily Mercury. Leicester, Leicestershire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 24 July 1939. p. 21. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Tournaments: Ashby-de-la-Zouch Open". The Tennis Base. Tennismem SL. Retrieved 14 August 2023.