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William Renshaw

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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) is one of the greatest British male tennis players of all time, and a candidate for the greatest tennis player of all time. The right-hander was known for his power and technical ability which put him well ahead of competition at the time.

He won a total of fourteen Wimbledon titles. Seven of those were in singles, an all-time record he shares with Pete Sampras. The first six were consecutive, an achievement which has never been equalled unto 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. In singles play he played brother Ernest three times (1882, 1883 and 1889) in the Wimbledon final, triumphing on all three occasions. The other seven titles were in the Gentlemans' doubles, partnering with his twin brother Ernest Renshaw. 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 1983, Renshaw was elected posthumously into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

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 E.W. 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 E.W. 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: 1880, 1881, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889

See also