First Wimbledon Championships won by Spencer Gore (1877)

The 1877 Wimbledon Championship was the first official lawn tennis tournament, held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. The tournament began on 9 July 1877, and Spencer Gore won the gentlemen's singles, the only event, defeating William Marshall in the rain-delayed final on 19 July. The tournament was organized to fund lawn maintenance, with rules derived from the 1875 MCC laws.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club organized a tournament in June 1877 to pay for the repair of its pony roller. Lawn tennis had been introduced in 1875 to compensate for waning interest in croquet. The club's name was formally changed on 14 April 1877. Rules for the tournament were derived from the first standardised rules of tennis issued by the Marylebone Cricket Club in May 1875.

Tournament. The tournament started on 9 July 1877. The draw for the 22 entrants was made on 7 July. The final was delayed for three days by rain and played on 19 July in front of a crowd of about 200 people who each paid an entry fee of one shilling. Spencer Gore won the Gentleman's Singles beating William Marshall 6–1, 6–2, 6–4.

Prize. Spencer Gore won the £12 12s. gold prize and holds the silver challenge cup, value £25 5s. The cup was made of sterling silver and had the inscription: The All England Lawn Tennis Challenge Cup – Presented by the Proprietors of The Field – For competition by Amateurs – Wimbledon July, 1877.

People involved

Sources

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