1889 Women's tennis season | |
Duration: | 8 January – 30 December |
Edition: | 14th |
Tournaments: | 63 |
Categories: | Important (4) National (5) Provincial/Regional/State (14) County (10) Regular (30) |
Most Tournament Titles: | ![]() ![]() |
Most Tournament Finals: | ![]() |
Previous: | 1888 |
Next: | 1890 |
The 1889 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 63 national, regional, county, and regular tournaments. The season began in January in Madras, India, and ended in December in Dunedin, 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]
1889 sees a slight decrease in the number women's singles events being held as the tennis circuit continues to form.[7] The 1889 women's tennis season began on 8 January with the first Southern India Championships staged at Madras, India.[1] In May 1889 at the first major event of the year the Irish Championships[8] played at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin, Ireland. Ireland's Louisa Martin wins the singles title beating defending champion Blanche Hillyard, she also picks up the ladies doubles event is won patnered with Florence Stanuell. In the mixed doubles Lena Rice and Willoughby Hamilton defeat Blanche Hillyard and Harold Stone. In terms of draw size the South of England Championships was the largest tournament of the year with a draw of 30 across two events.
In mid June 1889 the change in scheduling is continued when the U.S. National Championships are held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, PA, Bertha Townsend successfully defends her title in the challenge round by defeating Lida Voorhees in straight sets.[9]
Later the same month at the third major tournament of the year the Northern Championships played at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club in Manchester, England Lottie Dod successfully defends her title beating Blanche Hillyard in three sets, in the women's doubles final sisters Bertha Steedman and Mary Steedman defeat another sister pairing Ann and Lottie Dod in straight sets, and the All England Mixed Doubles Championship event,[1] is won by Lottie Dod and John Charles Kay who defeat Blanche Hillyard and Ernest Renshaw in the final.[1]
In July at the fourth and final major event of the season the 1889 Wimbledon Championships the world's first major tennis tournament, Blanche Bingley takes the title, when she defeats upcoming Irish player Lena Rice in three very close sets to win her third major title.[10] [11] The season ended on 30 December 1889 at the New Zealand Championships, held in Dunedin, New Zealand that was 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,[12] [13] [14] and together effectively making an early incarnation of the Grand Slam events we know today.[15]
Key
Important.[16] [17] [18] [19] | |
National | |
Provincial/State/Regional | |
County | |
Regular |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 Jan | Southern India Championships Madras Gymkhana Club Madras, India Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 | |||
![]() ![]() 6–5, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semi finalist | Quarter finalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Feb. | Constance Bryan def. | Elsie Lane | ![]() | ||
Elsie Lane![]() won | ? | ||||
12 Feb. | ![]() 8–3 | ![]() | |||
20 Feb. | Mrs Bruce-Johnston def. | Miss MacFarlane | |||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 Mar | Championships of Bermuda Hamilton, Bermuda Grass Singles - Doubles | Mabel Grant 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 2–1 sets | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Apr. | Mrs. Rowell 6–2, 6–2 | Mrs. Dare | |||
24 Apr | Geelong Easter Tournament[21] Geelong LTC Geelong, Australia Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–5, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() | |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 May | Fitzwilliam Tournament[22] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
10 May. | Ceylon Championships[23] The Hill Club Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon Clay Singles - Doubles | Mrs Norman 5–7, 6–2, 6–3 | Miss I. J. Watson | ||
11 May. | New South Wales Championships Moore Park Sydney, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 5–7, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 2–6, 6–2, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
25 May. | Irish Championships[24] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() Lilian Watson | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–2 | Blanche Hillyard![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 | Blanche Hillyard![]() |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jun. | Championship of the West of England[25] Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | N. Everett ![]() Florence Mardall Lottie Paterson | |
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() Harry Grove | ||||
8 Jun. | East Gloucestershire Championships[26] Cheltenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6-1, 4–6, 6-2 | ![]() Miss Crossley ![]() ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 7-5, 5–7, 6-2 | ![]() Wilfred Milne | ||||
10 Jun. | Whitehouse Open[27] Edinburgh, Scotland Clay Singles - Doubles | Lottie Paterson 6–0, 6–1 | |||
![]() Richard Millar Watson 6–4, 10–8 | Lottie Dod Edward Barnard Fuller | ||||
11 June | Wissahickon Open[28] Philadelphia Cricket Club Wissahickon, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() def | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() def | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() def | ![]() ![]() | ||||
14 Jun | London Championships[29] London Athletic Club London, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Jacks 6–2, 6–2 | Miss Canning Olive Tullock | ||
15 June | Waterloo Open[30] Waterloo, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() Florence Mardall | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–2 | Florence Mardall![]() | ||||
Scottish Championships[31] Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | Miss Jones | Ann Dod Miss Scovell | ||
Challenger Lottie Paterson | |||||
![]() 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Welsh Championships Penarth LTC Penarth, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 6–2 | ||||
22 Jun | Kent All-Comers' Championships[32] Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 7–5 | Miss Howes | ![]() ![]() | Amy Tabor |
Challenger May Jacks (holder) | |||||
May Jacks ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() William Taylor | ||||
Northern Championships[33] Northern LTC Manchester, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Lottie Dod 6–8, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() Beatrice Wood | ![]() Katherine Hill ![]() | ||
Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
![]() ![]() 9–7, 6–2 | Ann Dod Lottie Dod | ||||
Lottie Dod![]() 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Blanche Hillyard Ernest Renshaw | ||||
24 June | Edgbaston Open Tournament[34] Edgbaston CLTC Edgbaston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Maud Watson 6–1, 9–7 | ![]() | ||
Constance Bryan Maud Watson 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Maud Watson John Redfern Deykin 7–5, 5–7, 6–4 | Lillian Watson Henry Guy Nadin | ||||
29 Jun | Lansdowne Lawn Tennis Tournament[35] Lansdowne LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 7–5 | ![]() | ![]() | |
30 Jun | Orange Spring Tournament[36] Orange LTC South Orange, United States Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 Jul. | ![]() 6–2, 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() | |||
13 Jul | Hull Westbourne Avenue Open Tournament[37] Hull, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() | ||
Mabel Grant 6–0, 6–3 | Miss Murray | ||||
14 Jul | Wimbledon Championships[38] AELTC London, England Grass Singles | Blanche Hillyard 4–6, 8–6, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||
20 Jul | Championship of Middlesex[39] Chiswick Park, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 7–5 | Edith Austin Edith Cole Ethel Gurney ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–1 | Blanche Hillyard Ethel Gurney | ||||
Blanche Hillyard![]() 4–6, 6–4, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
27 Jul | Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament Ilkley LTC Ilkley, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Mabel Boulton 2–6, 6–2, 7–5 | Miss Crossley | Dorothy Boulton![]() | Miss Crosby ![]() Miss Crosby Miss Hall Miss Moir |
Challenger Beatrice Wood (holder) | |||||
![]() Beatrice Wood 6–3, 6–4 | Miss Moir![]() | ||||
Beatrice Wood![]() 6–1, 6–1 | Mabel Boulton![]() | ||||
![]() 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
28 Jul. | Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Charlotte Cooper def | ![]() holder | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Aug | Northumberland County Championships[41] Constabulary Ground Newcastle, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Helen Jackson 6–2, 6–4 | ![]() Beatrice Wood | ![]() Miss Clarke Jane Corder ![]() | |
South of Ireland Championships Limerick County CLTC Limerick, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 7–5, 7–5 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 7–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() G.H. Browning 2–6, 6–4, 6–5, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
8 Aug | Colchester Championship[42] Colchester, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–2 | |||
![]() George Kensit B. Norman 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Aug | East Grinstead Open[43] East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() ![]() divided title | |||
![]() ![]() 6-4, 6-4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
10 Aug | Exmouth Tournament[44] Exmouth LTC Exmouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Katherine Hole 2–6, 7–5, 6–4 | E. Peck R. Wright | Georgina Kindersley ![]() Miss Shadbolt | |
Darlington Association Tournament Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Alice Cheese def | Ann Dod | |||
Lottie Dod![]() walkover | Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn | ||||
Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 6–1 | ![]() | |||
E. Malcolm 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() Miss Wybergh | ||
E. Malcolm![]() 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
17 Aug | East of England Championships[45] Felixstowe, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | |||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
South of Scotland Championships Beech Grove Grounds Moffat, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | E. Malcolm 6–4, 8–6 | Miss Scowcroft | |||
Miss Hill Miss Rooke 6–2, 6–1 | E. Malcolm Miss Scowcroft | ||||
E. Malcolm Richard Millar Watson 6–2, 2–6, 6–2 | Miss Scowcroft Archibald Thomson | ||||
British Columbia Championships Victoria LTC Victoria, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() def | ![]() | |||
19 Aug | Derbyshire Championships[46] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() Edith Gurney Miss Pickthall | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 8–10, 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
20 Aug | Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament[47] Nottingham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Beatrice Wood 1–6, 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | Ethel Sturgess | |
24 Aug | Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament[48] Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Challenger Constance Bryan | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Royston Tournament Royston LTC Royston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | No Ladies Singles | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() Miss Lucas | ||||
![]() ![]() default | ![]() Roy Allen | ||||
East of Scotland Championships[49] St Andrews, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Moir 7–9, 9–7, 6–2 | Miss E Malcolm | |||
Miss Bruce Johnston Miss Moir 6–2, 6–1 | Miss Malcolm Miss Purvis | ||||
27 Aug. | Southern California Championships Santa Monica Casino Courts Santa Monica, United States Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
28 Aug | North of England Championships[50] Scarborough, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 8–6 | ![]() Helen Jackson | Mabel Boulton C. Crosby ![]() | |
![]() Beatrice Wood 6–0, 7–5 | Mabel Boulton![]() | ||||
Beatrice Wood Arthur Hallward 6–2, 6–3 | Helen Jackson![]() | ||||
Saxmundham LTC Tournament[51] Hurts Hall Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–5 | ||||
Edith Austin![]() 6–0, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 2–6, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
29 Aug. | Mrs. Chaytor 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 | Mrs. Vane | |||
30 Aug | Trefriw Lawn Tennis Tournament[52] Trefriw Sports Ground Trefriw, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles | Sarah Allen 6–1, 4–6, 7–5 | Miss Cheetham | Miss Pickthall | |
Miss Pickthall Roy Allen 6–3, 6–3 | C. Jones![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Sep | Sussex Championships[53] Brighton College Ground Brighton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–2 | Mrs Hill![]() | Constance Bryan![]() ![]() Lilian Watson | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
14 Sep | South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 5–7, 6–2, 6–1 | Winifred Kersey Elsie Pinckney | ![]() E. Malcolm ![]() Violet Pinckney | |
![]() Harry S. Barlow 7–5, 6–3 | E. Malcolm![]() | ||||
Edith Austin 6–0, 6–3 | M. Thorne | Constance Bryan Elsie Lane | |||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Oct | Scheveningen International Tournament HLTC Leimonias De Bataaf The Hague, Netherlands Cement Singles - Doubles | Mev. van de Poll def. | M. Bol | ||
12 Oct | Queensland Championships Greet Sports Ground Brisbane, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–0 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 Nov | Victorian Championships Melbourne C.C. Grounds Melbourne, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 7–5 | ![]() ![]() |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Dec | Corowa Lawn Tennis Tournament[55] Corowa, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 5–6, 6–5 | ![]() | ||
16 Dec | Linwood Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Auckland, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
30 Dec | New Zealand Championships[56] Carisbrooke Cricket Ground Dunedin, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 7–5 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 9–7, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() |
This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1889 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.