Middlesex Championships

Middlesex Championships
Defunct tennis tournament
TourPre open era
Founded1884
Abolished1949
LocationChiswick Park, Chiswick, Middlesex, Great Britain
VenueChiswick Park Lawn Tennis Club
SurfaceGrass

The Middlesex Championships.[1] or Middlesex Lawn Tennis Championships[2] and also known as the Middlesex Open Tennis Championships was a men's and women's grass court tennis founded at the Chiswick Park Lawn Tennis Club,Chiswick Park, Chiswick, Middlesex, Great Britain in 1884 and known as the Chiswick Park Club Open Lawn Tennis Tournament [3] during the early editions of the event. The tournament was staged annually until 1949.[4]

History

[edit]
Chiswick Park, House and gardens from the air (2016) the location of this tournament.

In 1883 William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire decided to lease some of his land, with a low annual ground rent for the residents Chiswick who wanted to establish a sports club.[4] This new sports ground staged bowls, cricket, football, and lawn tennis. In Chiswick Park Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club was formed and established a Middlesex County Championship tennis tournament.[4] The championships were usually held annually at the end of July through to the third week August.[4] In 1887 "Challenge Cups" were presented to the winners of the men's and women's singles events. In 1893 the scheduling of the tournament was altered to start at the end of May through to early June.

The Chiswick Park Lawn Tennis Club continued to stage the annual Championship of Middlesex,[5] making the venue second only to Wimbledon in importance. In 1925 the land lease arrangement came to end due it expiring, however by this point the former tennis and cricket clubs had by this point formed into a business entity the Chiswick Cricket and Lawn Tennis Company. The tournament was not held during World War One and was postponed again in 1939 following the outbreak of World War Two. In 1946 the tournaments grounds were issued with a compulsory purchase by Brentford and Chiswick Urban District Council.[4] After this tournament staged only three more times for the men's events, the women's events ended in 1946.[4] The Middlesex Championships ran for 59 years, and was quite successful in attracting attract top players to four championships until 1949 when it was abolished.

Notable winners of the men's singles included Charles Walder Grinstead (1884), Ernest Wool Lewis (1886–1890, 1892),[6] Athar-Ali Fyzee, (1921), Henry Mayes (1926) Daniel Prenn (1935), Czeslaw Spychala (1946) and Ghaus Mohammad (1947). Previous women's singles champions included Maud Shackle (1891–1893), Edith Austin Greville (1894, 1905), Molla Bjurstedt Mallory (1926) and Jadwiga Jędrzejowska (1938).

Finals

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Men's singles

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Harold Mahony won 6 singles titles.
Ernest Wool Lewis won 4 consecutive singles titles.

(incomplete roll)

Year Champion Runner Up Score
1884 England Charles Walder Grinstead England Donald Charles Stewart 6-1, 4–6, 12–10, 6–3.[1]
1885 England Herbert Chipp England Donald Charles Stewart 7-5, 7–5, 6–3.[1]
1886 England Harry Grove England Edward Lake Williams 6-3, 6–2, 6–3.[1]
1887 England Ernest Wool Lewis England Ernest George Meers 7-5, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3.[1]
1888 United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis (2) United Kingdom Ernest George Meers 6-2, 6–2, 6–2.[1]
1889 United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis (3) United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow 6-3, 6–3, 8–6.[1]
1890 United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis (4) Ireland Harold Mahony 6-1, 6–4, 6–2.[1]
1891 United Kingdom Ernest George Meers United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis w.o.[1]
1892 United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis (5) United Kingdom Ernest George Meers 6-3, 6–4, 6–2.[1]
1893 Ireland Harold Mahony United Kingdom Ernest Wool Lewis w.o.[1]
1894 United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow Ireland Harold Mahony 3-6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–1.[1]
1895 United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow (2) United Kingdom George Greville 6-4, 7–5, 4–6, 6–2.[1]
1896 Ireland Harold Mahony United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow w.o.[1]
1897 United Kingdom George Greville Ireland Harold Mahony 6-4, 10–8, 5–7, 1–6, 6–1.[1]
1898 Ireland Harold Mahony (2) United Kingdom George Greville 4-6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–2.[1]
1899 Ireland Harold Mahony (3) United Kingdom George Greville 5-7, 2–6, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4.[1]
1900 Ireland Harold Mahony (4) United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6-2, 6–4, 6–2.[1]
1901 United Kingdom George Greville (2) Ireland Harold Mahony 7-5, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3.[1]
1902 United Kingdom George Greville (3) United Kingdom Roderick McNair 6-2, 6–0, 6–2.[1]
1903 Ireland Harold Mahony (5) United Kingdom Brame Hillyard 3-6, 6–2, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3.[1]
1904 Ireland Harold Mahony (6) United Kingdom Frederick William Payn 3-6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4.[1]
1905 United Kingdom George Miéville Simond United Kingdom Henry Pollard 9-7, 3–6, 10–8.[1]
1906 United Kingdom Major Ritchie United Kingdom George Miéville Simond 6-1, 6–2, 6–4.[1]
1907 United Kingdom Major Ritchie (2) United Kingdom Granville Gilbert Sharp 6-3, 4–6, 6–0, 6–1.[1]
1908 United Kingdom Major Ritchie (3) United Kingdom Sydney Harman Adams 6-4, 6–1, 6–1.[1]
1909 United Kingdom Charles P. Dixon United Kingdom Percival Davson 6-4, 7–5, 6–3.[1]
1910 United Kingdom Major Ritchie (4) United Kingdom George Alan Thomas 7-5, 6–0, 6–0.[1]
1915/1918 Not held (due to World War I)
1919 South Africa Louis Bosman Raymond South Africa Brian Norton 6-2, 6–1, 6–2.[1]
edition 1920 United Kingdom Randolph Lycett United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6-1, 9–7, 6–8, 6–3.[1]
1921 India Athar-Ali Fyzee United States Frank Hunter 4-6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–4.[1]
1922 United Kingdom Randolph Lycett (2) United Kingdom Brian Gilbert 6-2, 6–2, 6–2.[1]
1923 South Africa Brian Norton United Kingdom Donald Greig 8-6, 6–2.[1]
1924 South Africa Pat Spence South Africa Louis Raymond 6-2, 6–3.[1]
1925 United Kingdom Noel Turnbull United Kingdom Teddy Higgs 6-1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–1, 6–4.[1]
1926 Canada Henry Mayes United Kingdom Pat Hughes 8-6, 10–8, 6–1.[1]
1927 United Kingdom Jack Hillyard Republic of Ireland Frank Crosbie 6-3, 6–3.[1]
1928 United Kingdom Randolph Lycett (2) South Africa Pat Spence 2-6, 7–5, 7–5, 6–4.[1]
1929 United Kingdom William Powell Japan Ryuki Miki 6-1, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–1.[1]
1930 United Kingdom Fred Perry India Atri Madan Mohan 7-5, 6–0.[1]
1931 United Kingdom Ted Avory United Kingdom William Powell 6-4, 6–3.[1]
1932 United Kingdom Kenneth Dower United Kingdom David H. Williams 6-3, 6–8, 6–2.[1]
1933 Japan Iwao Aoki[7] South Africa Pat Spence 3-6, 7–5, 6–2.[1]
1934 United Kingdom Frank Wilde United Kingdom Colin Ritchie 6-4, 6–3.[1]
1935 Germany Daniel Prenn Republic of Ireland George Lyttleton-Rogers 6-4, 6–3.[1]
1936 United States David Jones United Kingdom Jimmy Jones 6-4, 6–2.[1]
1937 United Kingdom Jimmy Jones United Kingdom Murray Deloford 6-1, 6–1.[1]
1938 Republic of China (1912–1949) Choy Wai-Chuen United Kingdom Eric Filby 6-2, 6–4.[1]
1939 Republic of China (1912–1949) Choy Wai-Chuen (2) United Kingdom Eric Filby 6-4, 6–4.[1]
1940/1945 Not held (due to World War II)
1946 Poland Czeslaw Spychala Republic of China (1912–1949) Choy Wai-Chuen 6-8, 6–2, 6–4.[1]
1947 India Ghaus Mohammed Khan United Kingdom Howard Walton 6-2, 6–2.[1]
1948 United Kingdom Tim Lewis United Kingdom Bernard Crouch 6-1, 6–3.[1]
1949 United Kingdom Headley Baxter United Kingdom Cliff Hovell 6-1, 7–5.[1]

Women's singles

[edit]
Dorothea Douglass-Chambers won 9 singles titles.
Charlotte Cooper won 4 consecutive singles titles.

(incomplete roll)

Year Champion Runner Up Score
1884 England Blanche Bingley England Miss Wing 6-3, 6-3
1885 England Edith Gurney England Blanche Bingley 1-6, 7–5, 6–0, retd.
1886 England Miss Douglas England May Jacks 6-4, 6-0
1887 England D. Patterson England Edith Gurney 6-0, 4–6, 7-5
1888 United Kingdom Blanche Hillyard (2) United Kingdom D. Patterson 6-2, 6-4
1889 United Kingdom Mary Steedman United Kingdom Bertha Steedman 6-4, 7-5
1890 United Kingdom Mary Steedman (2) United Kingdom May Jacks 6-2, 6-2
1891 United Kingdom Maud Shackle United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-0, 6-1
1892 United Kingdom Maud Shackle (2) United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-4, 6-0
1893 United Kingdom Maud Shackle (3) United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-3, 6-4
1894 United Kingdom Edith Austin United Kingdom A. Brown 6-3, 6-3
1895 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-3, 7-5
1896 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper (2) United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-4, 6-2
1897 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper (3) United Kingdom Edith Austin 1-6, 6–4, 6-4
1898 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper (4) United Kingdom Edith Austin 6-3, 3–6, 7-5
1899 United Kingdom Edith Austin (2) United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper 7-5, 6-4
1900 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper (5) United Kingdom Edith Austin Greville 6-3, 9-7
1901 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper Sterry (6) United Kingdom Toupie Lowther 6-3, 6-2
1902 United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper Sterry (7) United Kingdom Edith Bromfield 6-1, 6-0
1903 United Kingdom Dorothea Douglass United Kingdom Edith Bromfield 6-4, 9-7
1904 United Kingdom Dorothea Douglass (2) United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper Sterry 4-6, 6–1, 6-3
1905 United Kingdom Edith Austin Greville (3) United Kingdom Mabel Squire 6-4, 7-5
1906 United Kingdom Dorothea Douglass (3) United Kingdom Charlotte Cooper Sterry 6-1, 6-0
1907 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (4) United Kingdom Maud Brown 6-3, 6-1
1908 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (5) United Kingdom Alice Greene 7-5, 6-4
1909 United Kingdom Beryl Tulloch United Kingdom Agnes Daniell Tuckey 6-3, 4–6, 7-5
1910 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (6) United Kingdom M. Messom 6-2, 6-2
1911 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (7) United Kingdom Mabel Parton 6-3, 6-2
1912 United Kingdom Dorothy Holman United Kingdom Mabel Squire Parton 6-2, 4–6, 7-5
1913 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (8) United Kingdom Dora Boothby 6-2, 6-3
1914 United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers (9) United Kingdom Aurea Edgington walkover
1915/1918 Not held (due to World War I)
1919 United States Elizabeth Ryan United Kingdom Geraldine Beamish 6-2, 4–6, 6-4
1920 United States Elizabeth Ryan (2) United Kingdom Dorothea Chambers 7-5, 6-2
1921 United States Elizabeth Ryan (3) United Kingdom Geraldine Beamish 6-3, 6-4
1922 India Irene Bowder Peacock United Kingdom Geraldine Beamish 6-1, 1–6, 6-2
1923 United Kingdom Kathleen McKane United States Molla Bjurstedt Mallory 6-3, 6-2
1924 United Kingdom Kathleen McKane (2) United States Elizabeth Ryan 6-4, 6-4
1925 United States Elizabeth Ryan (4) United Kingdom Geraldine Beamish 6-4, 6-0
1926 United States Molla Bjurstedt Mallory United Kingdom Gwen Sterry 6-3, 1–6, 6-1
1927 United States Elizabeth Ryan (5) United Kingdom Joan Fry 6-0, 4–6, 6-2
1928 United Kingdom Ermyntrude Harvey United Kingdom Madge Valantine List 6-1, 6-3
1929 United Kingdom Peggy Saunders Michell United Kingdom Margaret McKane Stocks 6-3, 6-1
1930 United Kingdom Betty Nuthall India Jenny Sandison 9-7, 6-3
1931 United Kingdom Elsie Goldsack Pittman United Kingdom Peggy Saunders Michell 9-7, 6-2
1932 United Kingdom Nancy Lyle India Irene Bowder Peacock 6-4, 6-4
1933 United Kingdom Violet Chamberlain Owen United Kingdom Elsie Goldsack Pittman 6-4, 6-2
1934 United Kingdom Elsie Goldsack Pittman (2) United Kingdom Joan Ridley 6-4, 6-4
1935 United Kingdom Susan Noel United Kingdom Elsie Goldsack Pittman 6-1, 8-6
1936 United Kingdom Mary Hardwick United Kingdom Nancy Lyle 4-6, 7–5, 7-5
1937 Chile Anita Lizana United States Alice Marble 9-7, 9-7
1938 Poland Jadwiga Jędrzejowska United States Dorothy Bundy 7-5, 6-2
1939 United Kingdom Jean Saunders United Kingdom A. Cardinall 6-4, 6-3
1940/1945 Not held (due to World War I)
1946 Women's event (discontinued)

Tournament records

[edit]

Men

[edit]

Source:[1]

Women

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb "Tournaments: Middlesex Championships". The Tennis Base. Tennismem SL. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Tennis Championships". Kalgoorlie Miner. Trove: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1922. p. 5. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Lawn Tennis. — The Chiswick Park Club Open Lawn Tennis Tournament". London Evening Standard. London, England: British Newspaper Archive. 21 July 1886. p. 8. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Clegg, Gill. "Entertainment :Chiswick Park Lawn Tennis Club". brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk. Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  5. ^ Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes. London: Vinton and Co Limited. 1896. p. 80.
  6. ^ Heathcote, J. M. Heathacote: C. G. (1890). Tennis; Lawn Tennis. London: Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & co. ltd. p. 481.
  7. ^ "Iwao Aoki: Overview". ATP Tour. ATP.

Sources

[edit]
  • Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes. London: Vinton and Co Limited. 1896.
  • Clegg, Gill. "Entertainment :Chiswick Park Lawn Tennis Club". brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk. Brentford and Chiswick Local History Society. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  • Heathcote, J. M. Heathacote: C. G. (1890). Tennis; Lawn Tennis. London: Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & co. ltd.
  • Tennis Championships. Kalgoorlie Miner. Trove: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1922. Retrieved 4 October 2022.