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: | Louisa Martin (3) May Langrishe (3) |
Most Tournament Finals: | Louisa Martin (4) |
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 | Miss Nicholas 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 | |||
Miss Clarke Miss Nicholas 6–5, 6–3 | Mrs Smart Mrs Swinton |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semi finalist | Quarter finalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Feb. | Constance Bryan def. | Elsie Lane | Miss Maguire | ||
Elsie Lane Miss Maguire won | ? | ||||
12 Feb. | Ruth Orbell 8–3 | L. Mackerras | |||
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 | Grace Roosevelt | ||
Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt 2–1 sets | Mrs Erkine Mary G. Gray | ||||
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 | Ellen M Mayne 3–6, 6–5, 6–3 | A. Chenery | Miss McKenzie | |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 May | Fitzwilliam Tournament[22] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | Florence Stanuell 6–3, 6–1 | Connie Butler | G. Crofton Miss Story | Louisa Martin |
Florence Stanuell Hume R. Jones 6–3, 6–2 | Miss Wilson Charles James | ||||
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 | Ellen Mayne 6–3, 5–7, 6–4 | Edith Raleigh Mabel Shaw | Florence Batt Miss Dransfield Eliza Fitzgerald Isabel Mansfield | |
Ellen Mayne Mabel Shaw 6–3, 6–0 | Miss Keating Miss Raleigh | ||||
Eliza Fitzgerald Robert Fitzgerald 2–6, 6–2, 9–7 | E.M. Mayne Dudley Webb | ||||
25 May. | Irish Championships[24] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | Louisa Martin 7–5, 6–0 | Lena Rice Bertha Steedman | Connie Butler Florence Stanuell Mary Steedman Lilian Watson | |
Louisa Martin Florence Stanuell 6–4, 6–2 | Blanche Hillyard Lena Rice | ||||
Lena Rice Willoughby Hamilton 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 | Blanche Hillyard Harold Stone |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jun. | Championship of the West of England[25] Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Louisa Martin 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 | Mary Agg N. Pope | N. Everett Beatrice Langrishe Florence Mardall Lottie Paterson | |
Louisa Martin Florence Stanuell 6–0, 6–3 | Miss Everett Miss Pope | ||||
Louisa Martin James Baldwin 6–2, 6–3 | Miss Pope Harry Grove | ||||
8 Jun. | East Gloucestershire Championships[26] Cheltenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Louisa Martin 6-1, 4–6, 6-2 | Mary Agg Miss Crossley Beatrice Langrishe N. Pope | ||
Florence Stanuell James Baldwin 7-5, 5–7, 6-2 | Louisa Martin Wilfred Milne | ||||
10 Jun. | Whitehouse Open[27] Edinburgh, Scotland Clay Singles - Doubles | Lottie Paterson 6–0, 6–1 | |||
Ann Dodd 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 | Lida Voorhees def | Mrs. Harris | Miss D.F. Butterfield Grace Roosevelt | Rebecca H. Lycett Laura Knight Marian Wright |
Lida Voorhees Mrs. Harris def | Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt | ||||
Ellen Roosevelt Albert Empie Wright def | Lida Voorhees Clarence Hobart | ||||
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 | Mary Pick 6–1, 6–3 | Miss Pickthall | ||
K. Ack Mary Pick 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 | Miss Gordon Florence Mardall | ||||
Miss Barton William Wethered 6–4, 6–2 | Florence Mardall Jacob Gaitskell Brown | ||||
Scottish Championships[31] Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | Connie Butler 6–3, 6–3 | Miss Jones | Ann Dod Miss Scovell | ||
Challenger Lottie Paterson | |||||
Bertha Townsend 7–5, 6–2 | Helen Day Harris | D.F. Butterfield Grace Roosevelt | Anna C. Smith Rebecca H. Lycett Laura Knight Marion Wright | ||
Challenger Lida Voorhees | |||||
Margarette Ballard Bertha Townsend 6–0, 6–2 | Marion Wright Laura Knight | ||||
Welsh Championships Penarth LTC Penarth, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Pope 6–0, 6–2 | ||||
22 Jun | Kent All-Comers' Championships[32] Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Maud Shackle 6–3, 7–5 | Miss Howes | Gertrude Mellersh Mrs Rhodes | Amy Tabor |
Challenger May Jacks (holder) | |||||
May Jacks Herbert Yockney 6–3, 6–1 | Maud Shackle William Taylor | ||||
Northern Championships[33] Northern LTC Manchester, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Lottie Dod 6–8, 6–3, 6–3 | Mary Steedman Beatrice Wood | Connie Butler Katherine Hill N. Pope | ||
Challenger Blanche Hillyard | |||||
Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman 9–7, 6–2 | Ann Dod Lottie Dod | ||||
Lottie Dod John Charles Kay 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 | Mrs G.M. Elkington | ||
Constance Bryan Maud Watson 6–1, 6–3 | Miss Charles Miss L. Charles | ||||
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 | G. Crofton 6–3, 7–5 | Lena Rice | Miss Malcomson | |
30 Jun | Orange Spring Tournament[36] Orange LTC South Orange, United States Singles - Doubles | F. Williams 6–4, 6–2 | Lida Voorhees | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 Jul. | Miss Bursk 6–2, 6–2, 6–1 | Miss Calder | |||
13 Jul | Hull Westbourne Avenue Open Tournament[37] Hull, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Katherine Grey 6–3, 6–1 | Miss Barber | ||
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 | Annie Rice Mary Steedman | ||
20 Jul | Championship of Middlesex[39] Chiswick Park, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Mary Steedman 6–4, 7–5 | Edith Austin Edith Cole Ethel Gurney Mrs Robert | ||
Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman 7–5, 6–1 | Blanche Hillyard Ethel Gurney | ||||
Blanche Hillyard Dudley Field 4–6, 6–4, 9–7 | Mary Steedman Frederick A. Bowlby | ||||
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 L. Chatterton-Clarke | Miss Crosby Mrs E.J. Crossley Miss Crosby Miss Hall Miss Moir |
Challenger Beatrice Wood (holder) | |||||
L. Chatterton-Clarke Beatrice Wood 6–3, 6–4 | Miss Moir Ethel Tannett | ||||
Beatrice Wood James Baldwin 6–1, 6–1 | Mabel Boulton Herbert Wilberforce | ||||
Bessie Carpenter 6–2, 6–1 | C. McCleary | H. Carpenter B. Ward | Miss Blair Miss Gillmore A. Warden C. Whiting | ||
28 Jul. | Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Charlotte Cooper def | A. Francesca Brown 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 | Connie Butler Beatrice Wood | Gertrude Bracewell Miss Clarke Jane Corder E Dickenson | |
South of Ireland Championships Limerick County CLTC Limerick, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | Mary Lysaght 3–6, 7–5, 7–5 | Miss Smith | |||
Miss Bayly M. Smith 6–3, 7–5 | Mary Lysaght Miss Smith | ||||
Miss Gavin G.H. Browning 2–6, 6–4, 6–5, 6–1 | Miss Brown M.W. Gavin | ||||
8 Aug | Colchester Championship[42] Colchester, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Norman 6–2, 6–2 | |||
Miss Norman George Kensit B. Norman 6–1, 6–3 | Miss Huleatt R.E. Vaizey | ||||
9 Aug | East Grinstead Open[43] East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot divided title | |||
May Arbuthnot William J. Down 6-4, 6-4 | A Covey Wilberforce Eaves | ||||
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 Beatrice Langrishe Miss Shadbolt | |
Darlington Association Tournament Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Alice Cheese def | Ann Dod | |||
Lottie Dod Kenneth R. Marley walkover | Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn | ||||
Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Miss Crossley 6–5, 6–1 | L. Clark | |||
E. Malcolm 6–3, 6–2 | Miss Allen | Lydia Cheetham Ann Scowcroft | C. Baker E. Goffey E.J. Heelis Miss Wybergh | ||
E. Malcolm Edgar John Chippendale 6–2, 6–1 | E. Goffey H.H. Edgecombe | ||||
17 Aug | East of England Championships[45] Felixstowe, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Ivy Arbuthnot 6–3, 6–4 | |||
Ivy Arbuthnot William Cobbold 6–4, 6–2 | Helen Kersey Herbert Kersey | ||||
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 | Frances Arrowsmith def | Anastasia Musgrave | |||
19 Aug | Derbyshire Championships[46] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Bertha Steedman 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 | Connie Butler Mary Steedman | G. Crofton M. Goodman Edith Gurney Miss Pickthall | |
Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman 6–4, 6–1 | Louisa Martin Florence Stanuell | ||||
Florence Stanuell A.J. de Courcy Wilson 8–10, 6–1, 6–3 | Louisa Martin Percy Bateman Brown | ||||
20 Aug | Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament[47] Nottingham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Beatrice Wood 1–6, 6–3, 6–1 | Miss Evans Jane Snook | Ethel Sturgess | |
24 Aug | Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament[48] Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Langrishe 6–4, 6–4 | May Arbuthnot | Elsie Pinckney K Stretton | Alice Arbuthnot L. Elphinston M Hext Beatrice Langrishe |
Challenger Constance Bryan | |||||
Miss Bryan May Langrishe 6–2, 6–1 | Ivy Arbuthnot Miss Everett | ||||
May Langrishe Harry S. Barlow 6–3, 6–1 | May Arbuthnot E.B. Fuller | ||||
Royston Tournament Royston LTC Royston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | No Ladies Singles | ||||
Geraldine Buttanshaw Rosamond Buttanshaw 6–3, 6–2 | Hilda Gainsford Miss Lucas | ||||
Hilda Gainsford Osmond McMullen default | Ruth Buttanshaw 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 | May Carter 6–5, 6–3 | Miss G. Gilliland | R. P. Carter Miss Schumacher | |
28 Aug | North of England Championships[50] Scarborough, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Edith Gurney 6–4, 8–6 | Connie Butler Helen Jackson | Mabel Boulton C. Crosby M. Crossley | |
Miss Clark Beatrice Wood 6–0, 7–5 | Mabel Boulton Miss Hodgson | ||||
Beatrice Wood Arthur Hallward 6–2, 6–3 | Helen Jackson George Brown | ||||
Saxmundham LTC Tournament[51] Hurts Hall Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | Winifred Kersey 6–1, 6–5 | ||||
Edith Austin R. Darling 6–0, 6–3 | Miss Hewetson J. Heweston | ||||
Mary Wallich John Wallich 6–4, 2–6, 6–2 | K. French F.C. French | ||||
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 Walter Mace Shipman | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Sep | Sussex Championships[53] Brighton College Ground Brighton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Langrishe 6–3, 6–2 | Mrs Hill Emily Mocatta | Constance Bryan Gertrude Mellersh Despina Petrocochino Lilian Watson | |
Beatrice Langrishe May Langrishe 6–4, 3–6, 6–0 | Elizabeth Mocatta Harriet Mellersh | ||||
May Langrishe Harold Stone 6–1, 6–2 | Emily Mocatta Horace Chapman | ||||
14 Sep | South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | May Langrishe 5–7, 6–2, 6–1 | Winifred Kersey Elsie Pinckney | D Hickson E. Malcolm Gertrude Mellersh Violet Pinckney | |
May Langrishe Harry S. Barlow 7–5, 6–3 | E. Malcolm Harold W. Carlton | ||||
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 | Mrs. Quinnell 6–1, 6–0 | Miss. Earle | ||
Miss Lee Mr. Haughton 6–3, 6–1 | Miss Earle Richard John Cottell |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 Nov | Victorian Championships Melbourne C.C. Grounds Melbourne, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | Nellie A'Beckett 6–3, 6–4 | Miss Raleigh | E. Raleigh Mabel Shaw | |
Miss Raleigh E. Raleigh 6–4, 6–5 | Ellen M Mayne Mackenzie | ||||
Nellie A'Beckett Henry F. De Little 6–3, 7–5 | Ellen M. Mayne Richard Ernest Shuter |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Dec | Corowa Lawn Tennis Tournament[55] Corowa, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | M. Sloane 6–5, 5–6, 6–5 | Mrs. Hay | ||
16 Dec | Linwood Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Auckland, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles | E Gordon 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | M Simpson | ||
30 Dec | New Zealand Championships[56] Carisbrooke Cricket Ground Dunedin, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles | E. Gordon 7–5, 7–5 | Ruth Orbell | Miss Campbell Mrs George Way | Nina Douslin Hilda Hitchings Miss Grant Fanny Ollivier |
E. Gordon Miss Harman 6–1, 6–2 | Ruth Orbell Miss Rattray | ||||
Miss F. Rattray A.E Gibbs 9–7, 6–4 | Miss Smith J.M. McKerras |
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.