William Renshaw
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 |  John Hartley |
6–0, 6–1, 6–1 |
| 1882 | Wimbledon (2) | Ernest Renshaw |
6–1, 2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1883 | Wimbledon (3) | Ernest Renshaw |
2–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3 |
| 1884 | Wimbledon (4) | Herbert Lawford |
6–0, 6–4, 9–7 |
| 1885 | Wimbledon (5) | Herbert Lawford |
7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 |
| 1886 | Wimbledon (6) | Herbert Lawford |
6–0, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 1889 | Wimbledon (7) | Ernest Renshaw |
7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 |
Runner-ups (1)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1890 | Wimbledon | 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 | Ernest Renshaw
|
E.W. Lewis E.L. Williams
|
6–3, 6–1, 1-6, 6-4 |
| 1885 | Wimbledon (2) | Ernest Renshaw
|
C.E. Farrer A.J. Stanley
|
6–3, 6–3, 10-8 |
| 1886 | Wimbledon (3) | Ernest Renshaw
|
C.E. Farrer A.J. Stanley
|
6–3, 6–3, 4-6, 7-5 |
| 1888 | Wimbledon (4) | Ernest Renshaw
|
Herbert Wilberforce Patrick Bowes-Lyon
|
2-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 1889 | Wimbledon (5) | Ernest Renshaw
|
E.W. Lewis 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
External links
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