Herbert Lawford
Appearance
Herbert Lawford (15 May 1851 – 20 April 1925) was a tennis player from Great Britain who won the men's singles championship at Wimbledon in 1887, and was runner-up five times.
In the 1887 final, the native of Bayswater defeated Ernest Renshaw (also of Great Britain) in five sets: 1–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4. He reached the finals of Wimbledon in 1880, 1884-86, and 1888.
Lawford is said to be the first person to introduce "topspin" to the game of tennis. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006.
Grand Slam singles finals
Wins (1)
Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
1887 | Wimbledon Championships | Ernest Renshaw | 1–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up (5)
Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
1880 | Wimbledon Championships | John Hartley | 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 6–3 |
1884 | Wimbledon Championships | William Renshaw | 6–0, 6–4, 9–7 |
1885 | Wimbledon Championships | William Renshaw | 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 |
1886 | Wimbledon Championships | William Renshaw | 6–0, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
1888 | Wimbledon Championships | Ernest Renshaw | 6–3, 7–5, 6–0 |
References
- Tennis Grand Slams, The Championships, Wimbledon - [1]