1888 Women's tennis season | |
Duration: | 27 February – 30 December |
Edition: | 13th |
Tournaments: | 67 |
Categories: | Important (4) National (4) Provincial/Regional/State (14) County (12) Regular (31) |
Most Tournament Titles: | Blanche Hillyard (7) |
Most Tournament Finals: | Blanche Hillyard (10) |
Previous: | 1887 |
Next: | 1889 |
The 1888 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 67 national, regional, county, and regular tournaments. It was the 13th annual season since the first women's tennis tournaments were held in 1876. The season began in February in Auckland, New Zealand, and ended in December in Napier, New Zealand.[1]
From 1888 until 1912 Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), grew in status and influence to become the de facto international tennis governing body before the proper International Lawn Tennis Federation commenced operations.[2] Despite the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (USNLTA) forming in 1881 a good seven years before the LTA, it was the British body that set laws, settled disputes and organized the increasingly complicated tournament calendar before the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) formed in March, 1913.[3]
After the formation of the ILTF the world tennis circuit going forward was a highly organised and structured network of national and international tournaments.[4] Most tennis tournaments were usually mixed events for men and women, and the women's international tennis circuit certainly up to 1923 was composed mainly of tournaments on the British and European Circuits.[5] After the USNLTA joined the ILTF this would later change with more and more tournaments being staged globally. Women tennis players on the world circuit up to the open era were funded by their national associations enabling them to travel and take part in international tournaments.[6]
1888 sees a decrease in the number women's singles events on the previous year being held as the tennis circuit continues to form.[7] The 1888 women's tennis season began on 27 February with the|Auckland Association Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.[1] In May 1888 at the first major event of the year the Irish Championships[8] played at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin, Ireland. England's Blanche Hillyard wins the singles title for the first time compatriot Bertha Steedman two sets to love.[9] The ladies doubles event is won by English sister's Bertha Steedman and Mary Steedman, and in the mixed doubles Margaret Bracewell partnering Ernest Wool Lewis defeat the English/Irish pairing of Bertha Steedman and Hugh Cairns.[10] In June 1888 sees a change in scheduling when the U.S. National Championships held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, PA are brought forward this month, Bertha Townsend sweeps away title holder Ellen Hansell in straight sets.[11]
Later at the end of June the third major tournament of the year the Northern Championships is played at the Liverpool Cricket Club in Liverpool sees Lottie Dod retain her title beating Irish Champion Blanche Hillyard in straights sets, the women's doubles event is won by the sister's Ann Dod and Lottie Dod who defeat the English/Irish pairing of Margaret Bracewell and May Langrishe in the final.[12] The All England mixed doubles event is won by Blanche Hillyard and Ernest Renshaw defeating Lottie Dod and John Charles Kay on their way to the title.[13] In June Ireland's Connie Butler wins the Scottish Championships in Edinburgh against England's Ann Dod,[14] and at the Welsh Championships in Penarth Blanche Hillyard takes the title against Miss N Pope.[15]
In July at the 1888 Wimbledon Championships the world's first major tennis tournament, Lottie Dod successfully defends last years title, when she defeats Blanche Hillyard in straight sets to claim her second major title of the season.[16] The season ended on 30 December 1888 at the New Zealand Championships, held in Napier, New Zealand played on grass.[1]
Prior to the creation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the establishment of its world championship events in 1913 the Wimbledon Championships, the U.S. National Championships, the Irish Lawn Tennis Championships and the Northern Championships were considered by players and historians as the four most important tennis tournaments to win.[17] [18] [19]
This is a calendar of all known official events that were administered by national, regional, provincial, state, and county lawn tennis associations in the year 1888, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage where historical sources have permitted.
Key
Important.[20] [21] [22] [23] | |
National | |
Provincial/State/Regional | |
County | |
Regular |
No events
No events
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 May. | Inter-Colonial Lawn Tennis Tournament[25] (Championship of New South Wales) Sydney, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 8–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
26 May. | West of Scotland Championships[26] Pollockshields Athletic Club Pollokshields, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Rose 6–0, 10–8 | Miss Simpson | ||
26 May | Flushing Spring Tournament[27] [28] Flushing Athletic Club Flushing, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–2 | Constance Bryan![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 3–6, 6–1 | ![]() Blanche Hillyard | ||||
![]() Ernest Wool Lewis 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jun | Washington D.C. Open Tournament[30] Kendall Green Washington D.C., United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
2 Jun. | Championship of West of England[31] Lansdown Cricket Club Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() Gertrude Gibbs | Ann Dod Blanche Hillyard ![]() |
Ann Dod Lottie Dod 11–9, 7–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() Harry Grove 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 | Lottie Dod Anthony Dod | ||||
New York Tennis Club Spring Open New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Jun. | East Gloucestershire Championships Cheltenham LTC Grass Cheltenham, England Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 5–7, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() Ellen Browne M. Crossley ![]() | |
Whitehouse Open Whitehouse LTC Edinburgh, Scotland Clay Singles - Doubles | Ann Dod 6–2, 8–6 | J Ferguson | |||
Ann Dod J Ferguson 6–2, 6–4 | Miss Meikle Jane Meikle | ||||
Ann Dod Richard Millar Watson 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 | J Ferguson CD Murray | ||||
13 Jun. | Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament[32] Trent Bridge Ground Nottingham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
15 Jun. | U.S. National Championships Philadelphia Country Club Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles | ![]() 6–3, 6–5 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
16 Jun. | Kent All-Comers' Championships[33] Beckenham LTC Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 1–6, 6–3, 6–0 | Miss Canning N. Howes | Miss Aste E. Forrest ![]() ![]() | |
![]() Charles Ross | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Scottish Championships Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | Beatrice Wood | E, Ferguson J. Ferguson | Jane Meikle Miss Meikle Miss Rankine | |
Challenger Ann Dod | |||||
Welsh Championships[34] Penarth LTC Penarth, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | |||
22 Jun | London Championships[35] London Athletic Club Stamford Bridge, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–4, 6–3 | Miss Canning | Mrs A. Burr | |
23 Jun. | Northern Championships[36] Liverpool Cricket Club Liverpool, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Lottie Dod 6–3, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() Florence Mardall Beatrice Wood ![]() | |
Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Blanche Hillyard Ernest Renshaw 7–5, 10–8 | Lottie Dod![]() | ||||
30 Jun. | Waterloo Tournament[37] Waterloo LTC Waterloo, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Ann Dod 4–6, 6–0, 6–3 | K. Hill | ||
M. Pick![]() 8–6, 6–3 | K. Hill![]() | ||||
Midland Counties Championships[38] Edgbaston CLTC Edgbaston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 6–2 | Florence Mardall | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() Lilian Watson | |
Lilian Watson Maud Watson 6–0 1–0, retd | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Maud Watson![]() 0–6, 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jul. | Mabel Grant 6–4, 6–3 | Norah Hickman | Beatrice Grant Miss Lloyd | Miss Grant Miss Nimmo | |
Challenger L. Button | |||||
L. Button Reuben Benningfield 6–1, 6–3 | Mabel Grant William J. Grant | ||||
21 Jul. | Taunton and West Somerset Lawn Tennis Tournament Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() default | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
7 Jul. | Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Tournament Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 0–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ||
![]() Ernest Wool Lewis 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
19 Jul. | Leamington Open Tournament Leamington Spa, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
19 Jul. | Lottie Dod 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | D. Patterson![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
24 Jul. | Meadow Club Invitation[40] Meadow Club Southampton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 5–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 11–9 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Jul | Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament Ilkley LTC Ilkley, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–0, 7–5 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() Miss Hutchinson | |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() default | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Middlesex Championships Chiswick, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–2, 6–4 | Edith Cole | Ethel Gurney Miss Malcolm | Mrs Anderson Miss Howes May Jacks ![]() | |
Challenger D Patterson (holder) | |||||
![]() Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–3 | D Patterson![]() | ||||
29 Jul. | Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Aug. | Northumberland Championships[41] Newcastle upon Tyne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 | Mrs Raggett Miss Swarbreck Miss Tarver A. Turner | ||
Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn walkover | Helen Jackson![]() | ||||
6 Aug | Derbyshire Championships[42] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–1 | ![]() M. Goodman | ![]() ![]() Katherine Hill Miss Pickthall | |
Lottie Dod![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Lottie Dod![]() 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Staten Island Invitation Staten Island Athletic Club West New Brighton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Aug | Darlington Association Tournament[43] Feethams Cricket Ground Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–0, 6–3 | |||
Ann Dod![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn 7–5, 13–11 | Constance Bowes-Lyon Patrick Bowes-Lyon | ||||
10 Aug | ![]() 5–7, 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
East Grinstead Lawn Tennis Tournament[45] East Grinstead LTCC East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() ![]() divided title | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
11 Aug | Exmouth Tournament[46] Exmouth Ground Exmouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() | Katharine Kindersley ![]() | Edith Gurney ![]() ![]() Florence Mardall |
Ann Dod![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
17 Aug | British Columbia Lawn Tennis Championships Victoria LTC Victoria, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ||
18 Aug | East of Scotland Championships St Andrews, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | Jane Meikle 6–3, 6–4 | A Corbett | ||
Felixstowe Open Lawn Tennis Tournament Felixstowe LTC Felixstowe, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–2, 10–8 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
20 Aug | Narragansett Pier Open[47] Narragansett, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 6–1, 6–0 | |||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
23 Aug | Saxmundham LTC Tournament Hurts Hall Park Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | |||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
24 Aug | Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament Torquay, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() | ![]() | ||
![]() Ernest Wool Lewis 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
25 Aug | Hitchin Tournament Hitchin, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 6–3 | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 3–6, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
South of Scotland Championships Moffat, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | E. Malcolm 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 | ||||
E. Malcolm Lottie Paterson 6–2, 6–2 | Miss Pierce A Pierce | ||||
E. Malcolm![]() 6–1, 4–6, 6–2 | Lottie Paterson![]() | ||||
26 Aug. | Southern California Championships Santa Monica Casino Courts Santa Monica, United States Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
27 Aug | County Kildare Championship[48] Naas, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Aug | North of England Championships Scarborough, Great Britain Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 1–6, 6–4, 9–7, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() Beatrice Wood | Ann Dod M Crossley Clara Hill A. Turner |
Challenger![]() | |||||
Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() Harry Grove 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Seabright Invitational Tournament Seabright LTCC Rumson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Winnipeg Open Lawn Tennis Tournament[49] Winnipeg LTC Winnipeg, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 6–3 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Sep. | Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 7–5 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | A. Everitt Grace Grissell ![]() ![]() |
Holder![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 4–6, 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
3 Sep. | Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
11 Sep | South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–1 | Constance Smith | ![]() Gertrude Mellersh | Edith Gurney Elizabeth Mocatta Blanche Pedley Catherine Triscott |
![]() ![]() 6–8, 6–2, 6–3 | Blanche Hillyard![]() | ||||
13 Sep | Boulogne International Championship TC Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 2–6, 6–2, 7–5 | ![]() | ||
15 Sep | Armagh Lawn Tennis Tournament[50] Archery LTC Armagh, Ireland Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 2–1 sets | ![]() | ||
16 Sep | Wijk aan Zee Ladies Tournament (round robin event) Wijk aan Zee TC Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands Clay Singles - Doubles | E. van de Poll 2–0 matches | Baronesse van Tuijll van Serooskerker Mej. Matzen | ||
Essex Championships[51] Connaught Club Chingford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 0–6, 6–4 | ![]() | |||
18 Sep | New Hamburg Invitation[52] New Hamburg LTC New Hamburg, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Ellen Roosevelt Won | May Colby | Anna Kerr | |
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
19 Sep | New York Tennis Club Fall Open[53] New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | No Women's Singles | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 5–6, 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Belmont Fall Tennis Tournament[54] Belmont Cricket Club West Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 9–7, 8–6 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
22 Sep. | Queensland Association Tournament (later Queensland Championships) Brisbane, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 12–9 | ![]() | ||
29 Sep | Hudson River Championships[55] Far & Near LTC Hastings-on-Hudson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Ellen Roosevelt Won | ? | ||
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semi finalist | Quarter finalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Oct | Ladies Club for Outdoor Sports Open Livingston, United States Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–2, 6–3. | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
14 Oct | Delaware Field Club Open[56] Delaware Field Club Wilmington, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | Florence Bayard 6–3, 6–0 | Katharine Pyle | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Nov. | Victorian Championships Melbourne, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() Won | ? |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 Dec | New Zealand Championships[57] Farndon Park Napier, New Zealand Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() |
This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1888 major titles in bold:
. Bud Collins. The Bud Collins History of Tennis. 2010. New Chapter Press. New York. 978-0942257700. 2nd. 453–454, 465, 476.