| 1888 Women's tennis season | |
| Duration: | 27 February – 30 December |
| Edition: | 13th |
| Tournaments: | 65 |
| Categories: | Important (4) National (4) Provincial/Regional/State (14) County (12) Regular (31) |
| Most Tournament Titles: | Blanche Hillyard (7) |
| Most Tournament Finals: | Blanche Hillyard (9) |
| Previous: | 1887 |
| Next: | 1889 |
The 1888 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 65 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 |  Lillian Scott8–6, 6–4 | Ellen Mayne | Eliza Fitzgerald Edith L Fox | Florence Batt Ellen Blaxland Ada Keele Miss Maddrell |
| Challenger Ellen Mayne | |||||
| Lilian Scott Zilla Scott 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 | Edith Fox Ellen Mayne | ||||
| Ellen Mayne Dudley Webb 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 | Zilla Scott Alec Chomley | ||||
| 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 |  Ellen M. Lynch6–3, 6–3, 6–3 | Miss Ward | Miss Bogert Miss Mann | |
| Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–2 | Constance Bryan May Langrishe | Connie Butler  Margaret Bracewell Mary Steedman Isabella Smyth | |||
| Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman 6–2, 3–6, 6–1 | Margaret Bracewell Blanche Hillyard | ||||
| Margaret Bracewell Ernest Wool Lewis 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 9–7 | Bertha Steedman H Cairns | ||||
| Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun | Washington D.C. Open Tournament[30] Kendall Green Washington D.C., United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Florence Bayard 6–2, 6–0, 6–1 | Agnes S. Bartlett | ||
| Florence Bayard Annie J. Safford 6–0, 6–1, 6–3 | Agnes S. Bartlett Sallie A. Bartlett | ||||
| 2 Jun. | Championship of West of England[31] Lansdown Cricket Club Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–0 | N. Pope | Margaret Bracewell Gertrude Gibbs | Ann Dod Blanche Hillyard Beatrice Langrishe |
| Ann Dod Lottie Dod 11–9, 7–5 | Beatrice Langrishe N. Pope | ||||
| Margaret Bracewell 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 | Miss Locke 6–1, 6–1 | A McKinley | Adelaide Badgley Mrs Johnson | ||
| Adelaide Badgley Howard Badgley Won | Augustus Schultz William D. Hobart | ||||
| 9 Jun. | East Gloucestershire Championships Cheltenham LTC Grass Cheltenham, England Singles - Doubles | Louisa Martin 6–4, 5–7, 6–2 | Margaret Bracewell Miss Fenwick | Gertrude Bracewell Ellen Browne M. Crossley Beatrice Langrishe | |
| 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 | Florence Noon 6–2, 6–1 | Frances Snook | Charlotte Snook Agnes Noon Watts | Miss Exham Mrs Hill |
| 15 Jun. | U.S. National Championships Philadelphia Country Club Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles | Bertha Townsend 6–3, 6–5 | Marion Wright | Adeline Robinson | Ellen Roosevelt Violet Ward |
| Challenger Ellen Hansell | |||||
| 16 Jun. | Kent All-Comers' Championships[33] Beckenham LTC Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Jacks 1–6, 6–3, 6–0 | Miss Canning N. Howes | Miss Aste E. Forrest J. Kennedy A. Wickham | |
| Edith Gurney Charles Ross | May Jacks “A.N. Other” | ||||
| Scottish Championships Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | Connie Butler 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 | Miss N. Pope | |||
| 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 | Margaret Bracewell Louisa Martin | Gertrude Bracewell Florence Mardall Beatrice Wood Florence Stanuell | |
| Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
| Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–2 | Margaret Bracewell May Langrishe | ||||
| Blanche Hillyard Ernest Renshaw 7–5, 10–8 | Lottie Dod John Charles Kay | ||||
| 30 Jun. | Waterloo Tournament[37] Waterloo LTC Waterloo, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Ann Dod 4–6, 6–0, 6–3 | K. Hill | ||
| M. Pick John Charles 8–6, 6–3 | K. Hill William Wethered | ||||
| Midland Counties Championships[38] Edgbaston CLTC Edgbaston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Margaret Bracewell 7–5, 6–2 | Florence Mardall | Gertrude Bracewell J. Wray | Mrs G Elkington Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman Lilian Watson | |
| Lilian Watson Maud Watson 6–0 1–0, retd | Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman | ||||
| Maud Watson John Redfern Deykin 0–6, 7–5, 6–2 | Bertha Steedman George Brown | ||||
| 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 | N. Pope default | Louisa Sweet-Escott | A. Boucher Ada Meyler | Angel Smith Miss Kepple-Taylor |
| N. Pope Louisa Sweet-Escott 6–2, 6–4 | Ada Meyler Jessie Meyler | ||||
| 7 Jul. | Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Tournament Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Agnes Watts 6–1, 0–6, 6–4 | Bertha Steedman | ||
| Bertha Steedman Ernest Wool Lewis 6–4, 6–1 | Mary Steedman John Redfern Deykin | ||||
| 19 Jul. | Leamington Open Tournament Leamington Spa, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Alice Pickering 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 | Mrs Christie | ||
| 19 Jul. | Lottie Dod 6–2, 6–0 | Miss Howes | D. Patterson Miss Phillimore | Miss Canning Blanche Williams | |
| Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
| 24 Jul. | Meadow Club Invitation[40] Meadow Club Southampton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | E. K. Lente 6–4, 5–6, 6–4 | A Smallwood | May Colby M. Lente | Mrs Babbitt J Fraser E. W. Smith N Trowbridge |
| E. K. Lente A. Smallwood 6–1, 6–1 | May Colby J Fraser | ||||
| Miss Betts Henry Slocum 6–4, 11–9 | Miss Gregory Oliver Samuel Campbell | ||||
| 28 Jul | Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament Ilkley LTC Ilkley, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Margaret Bracewell 3–6, 6–0, 7–5 | Gertrude Bracewell L. Chatterton-Clarke | M. Crossley Miss Hutchinson | |
| Challenger Beatrice Wood | |||||
| Margaret Bracewell James Baldwin default | Gertrude Bracewell Marmaduke S. Constable | ||||
| 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 H. James | |
| Challenger D Patterson (holder) | |||||
| Edith Gurney Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–3 | D Patterson J Wray | ||||
| 29 Jul. | Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles | A. Francesca Brown Won | ? | ||
| Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug. | Northumberland Championships[41] Newcastle upon Tyne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Connie Butler 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 | Mrs Raggett Miss Swarbreck Miss Tarver A. Turner | ||
| Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn walkover | Helen Jackson Charles Liddell | ||||
| 6 Aug | Derbyshire Championships[42] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–1 | Gertrude Bracewell M. Goodman | Margaret Bracewell M. Crossley Katherine Hill Miss Pickthall | |
| Lottie Dod May Langrishe 6–3, 6–3 | Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman | ||||
| Lottie Dod William Drummond Hamilton 6–0, 6–1 | Margaret Bracewell Tom Campion | ||||
| Staten Island Invitation Staten Island Athletic Club West New Brighton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Adeline Robinson 6–1, 6–1 | G. Quartley | A. Larkin L. Vorhees | L. Bailey Miss Dean N. Janssen Gertrude Williams | |
| Adeline Robinson Gertrude Williams 6–0, 6–1 | M. Bailey G. Quartley | ||||
| 9 Aug | Darlington Association Tournament[43] Feethams Cricket Ground Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Beatrice Wood 3–6, 6–0, 6–3 | |||
| Ann Dod Miss Lucas 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | Ethel Cheese Mary Cheese | ||||
| Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn 7–5, 13–11 | Constance Bowes-Lyon Patrick Bowes-Lyon | ||||
| 10 Aug | Lydia Cheetham 5–7, 6–3, 6–2 | Florence Haines | |||
| Miss Allen J.E.R. Allen 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 | E. Haines Edgar J. Chippendale | ||||
| East Grinstead Lawn Tennis Tournament[45] East Grinstead LTCC East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot divided title | ||||
| Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot 6–1, 6–0 | Miss Birch Miss Thompson | ||||
| A. Covey Harold Stone 7–5, 6–3 | J. Saint Clair P.E. Wallis | ||||
| 11 Aug | Exmouth Tournament[46] Exmouth Ground Exmouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–3, 6–1 | Miss Bryan | Katharine Kindersley Lilian Pine-Coffin | Edith Gurney Beatrice Langrishe May Langrishe Florence Mardall |
| Ann Dod Miss Lucas 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | Ethel Cheese Mary Cheese | ||||
| 17 Aug | British Columbia Lawn Tennis Championships Victoria LTC Victoria, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles |  Frances ArrowsmithWon | Anastasia Musgrave | ||
| 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 | Nellie Turner 4–6, 6–2, 10–8 | F Green | |||
| Helen Kersey Herbert Kersey 6–3, 6–0 | Mrs K.E. Hawkins Arthur B. Longe | ||||
| 20 Aug | Narragansett Pier Open[47] Narragansett, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Adeline Robinson 6–0, 6–1, 6–0 | |||
| Ellen Roosevelt Oliver Samuel Campbell 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3 | Adeline Robinson Howard Augustus Taylor | ||||
| 23 Aug | Saxmundham LTC Tournament Hurts Hall Park Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Norman 6–1, 6–2 | |||
| E. Hawkins G. Rant 6–2, 6–3 | K. Gilbert E. Rawlinson | ||||
| Miss Norman G. Norman 6–0, 6–2 | E. Rawlinson Rodwell | ||||
| 24 Aug | Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament Torquay, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Mockler | A. Foley | ||
| Edith Gurney Ernest Wool Lewis 6–1, 6–2 | Miss Wolfe William Inchbald | ||||
| 25 Aug | Hitchin Tournament Hitchin, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Jacks 6–0, 6–3 | |||
| Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot 6–3, 3–6, 9–7 | Geraldine Buttanshaw Rosamond Buttanshaw | ||||
| May Jacks Herbert C. Yockney 6–3, 6–3 | Geraldine Buttanshaw Charles Gladstone Allen | ||||
| 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 F.R.B. Pinhorn 6–1, 4–6, 6–2 | Lottie Paterson B McCulloch | ||||
| 26 Aug. | Southern California Championships Santa Monica Casino Courts Santa Monica, United States Asphalt Singles - Doubles | Miss G. Gilliland 6–2, 6–0 | May Carter | Miss Schumacher | |
| Mrs. Waring R. P. Carter 6–2, 6–3 | Miss Gilliland Miss Schumacher | ||||
| 27 Aug | County Kildare Championship[48] Naas, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss. A. Weldon 6–1, 6–4 | Miss. C. DeBurgh | ||
| Miss. A. Weldon John C. Kennedy 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 | Mrs Ambrose Escott G. Weidon | ||||
| 28 Aug | North of England Championships Scarborough, Great Britain Grass Singles - Doubles | Margaret Bracewell 1–6, 6–4, 9–7, 6–4 | Connie Butler | Mary Steedman Beatrice Wood | Ann Dod M Crossley Clara Hill A. Turner |
| Challenger Bertha Steedman | |||||
| Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–4 | Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman | ||||
| Margaret Bracewell Harry Grove 6–3, 6–1 | Gertrude Bracewell Percy Bateman Brown | ||||
| Seabright Invitational Tournament Seabright LTCC Rumson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Clarkson 6–2, 6–0 | B. Lockwood | |||
| B. Lockwood H. Alexander 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 | Miss Thomas W. Ward | ||||
| Winnipeg Open Lawn Tennis Tournament[49] Winnipeg LTC Winnipeg, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss F. Adams 6–5, 6–3 | Mrs. Eden | |||
| Mrs. Ruttan R.D. Applegate 6–3, 6–4 | Mrs. Nares Mr. Tuckweel | ||||
| Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep. | Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Langrishe 6–1, 7–5 | Beatrice Langrishe | Miss Elphinston Miss Williams | A. Everitt Grace Grissell J.R. Robinson Mrs Surman |
| Holder Constance Bryan | |||||
| Beatrice Langrishe May Langrishe 4–6, 6–4, 6–1 | Miss Bryan A. Everitt | ||||
| 3 Sep. | Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Clark 6–1, 6–2 | Miss Crossley | ||
| 11 Sep | South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–1 | Constance Smith | E. Malcolm Gertrude Mellersh | Edith Gurney Elizabeth Mocatta Blanche Pedley Catherine Triscott |
| Margaret Bracewell Harry S. Barlow 6–8, 6–2, 6–3 | Blanche Hillyard Tom Campion | ||||
| 13 Sep | Boulogne International Championship TC Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Clay Singles - Doubles | Mrs Knock 2–6, 6–2, 7–5 | Miss Hick | ||
| 15 Sep | Armagh Lawn Tennis Tournament[50] Archery LTC Armagh, Ireland Asphalt Singles - Doubles | Lena Rice 2–1 sets | May Langrishe | ||
| 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 | Miss Triscott 6–4, 0–6, 6–4 | Brenda James | |||
| 18 Sep | New Hamburg Invitation[52] New Hamburg LTC New Hamburg, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Ellen Roosevelt Won | May Colby | Anna Kerr | |
| Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt Won | Miss V. Hobart Camilla Moss | ||||
| 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 | May Colby | ||
| Mrs H.G. Badgley Lida Vorhees 5–6, 6–1, 6–4 | Miss Hobart V. Hobart | ||||
| Belmont Fall Tennis Tournament[54] Belmont Cricket Club West Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Bertha Townsend 9–7, 8–6 | Nellie F. Hansell | |||
| Helen S. Taylor Laura Knight 6–0, 6–5 | Millie Dreka Helen Brown | ||||
| 22 Sep. | Queensland Association Tournament (later Queensland Championships) Brisbane, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Earle 12–9 | Mrs. Gilligan | ||
| 29 Sep | Hudson River Championships[55] Far & Near LTC Hastings-on-Hudson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | Ellen Roosevelt Won | ? | ||
| Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt Won | ? ? | ||||
| Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semi finalist | Quarter finalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct | Ladies Club for Outdoor Sports Open Livingston, United States Singles - Doubles | Adeline Robinson 4–6, 6–2, 6–3. | Miss Lesley | ||
| Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt 6–2, 6–0 | Adeline Robinson G. Williams | ||||
| 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 | Miss M Mayne 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 | E. M. Denny's Mabel Shaw | Annie Chenery | |
| Annie Chenery Nellie Chenery 6–4, 6–5 | Ellen Mayne Phenie Shaw | ||||
| Nellie A'Beckett Henry F. de Little Won | ? |
| Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec | New Zealand Championships[57] Farndon Park Napier, New Zealand Singles - Doubles |  E. Gordon6–5, 9–7 | Sarah Tanner Miss Weby | Miss Bibby Una Hitchings | |
| E Gordon Hilda Hitchings 6–2, 6–2 | Miss Hill Mrs E Tanner | ||||
| E Gordon Frederick Wilding 6–1, 6–3 | Hilda Hitchings CD Kennedy |
This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1888 major titles in bold:
Adeline Robinson – Livingston, Narragansett, West New Brighton, (3) Connie Butler – Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, (2) May Jacks – Beckenham, Hitchin (2) Margaret Bracewell – Edgbaston, Scarborough, (2) Bertha Townsend – West Philadelphia, U.S. National Championships, (2) Florence Bayard – Washington D.C., Wilmington, (2) Lilian Scott – Sydney (1) Ellen M. Lynch – Flushing (1) Miss Locke – New York City (1) Louisa Martin – Cheltenham (1) Florence Noon – Nottingham (1) Agnes Noon Watts – Stafford (1) Francesca Brown – Ealing (1) Lydia Cheetham – Keswick (1) Ivy Arbuthnot – East Grinstead (1) Nellie Turner – Felixstowe (1) Miss Norman – Saxmundham (1) Miss Mockler – Torquay (1) E. K. Lente – Southampton (1) Miss. A. Weldon – Naas (1) Frances Arrowsmith – Victoria (1) Miss F. Adams – Winnipeg (1) Miss Gilliland – Santa Monica (1) Miss Clarkson – Rumson (1) Miss Triscott – Chingford, (1) May Langrishe – Bournemouth (1) Lena Rice – Armagh (1) L. Chatterton-Clarke – Sheffield (1) Miss Knock – Boulogne-sur-Mer (1) Miss Earle – Brisbane (1) Ellen Mayne – Melbourne (1) E. Gordon – Napier (1). Bud Collins. The Bud Collins History of Tennis. 2010. New Chapter Press. New York. 978-0942257700. 2nd. 453–454, 465, 476.