Height 1.77 m Grand slams won (singles) 7 | Name William Renshaw Turned pro 1879 Role Tennis player Siblings Ernest Renshaw | |
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Full name William Charles Renshaw Plays Right-handed (1-handed backhand) Highest ranking No. 1 (1881, Karoly Mazak) Wimbledon W (1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1889) Similar People Ernest Renshaw, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Jana Novotna, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario | ||
Int. Tennis HoF 1983 (member page) | ||
William renshaw
William Charles Renshaw (3 January 1861 – 12 August 1904) was a British tennis player active during the late 19th century who was ranked world No. 1. He won 12 Major titles during his career and was one of the most successful male players in the history of the Wimbledon Championships, winning the singles title seven times, which stood as a record until 2017, and a record six times consecutively from (1881–86). Additionally he won the doubles title five times together with his twin brother Ernest. The right-hander was known for his power and technical ability which put him ahead of competition at the time. He was the first president of the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
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Career
Renshaw won a total of twelve Wimbledon titles. Seven of those were in singles, the same number as Pete Sampras and one fewer than Roger Federer. The first six were consecutive, an achievement which has been unequaled to this day (although the five successive wins of Björn Borg and Roger Federer are considered the 'modern' record because in Renshaw's time the reigning champion had automatic entry to next year's final. Since 1922 the reigning champions have had to play in the main draw, making such feats considerably more difficult). In the summer months he would compete in England and Ireland, while competing on the French Riviera during the winter months and practising on a private tennis court he and his brother had built at their own cost. In singles play he played his twin brother Ernest Renshaw three times (1882, 1883 and 1889) in the Wimbledon final, triumphing on all three occasions. He was unable to defend his title in 1887 because of tennis elbow, the first time this injury received public attention, and during his absence took up golf. The other five titles were in the Gentlemen's doubles, partnering with Ernest. Additionally, he and his brother dominated the sport for many years in a time when the only other Grand Slam was the U.S. Championships, and by custom players did not travel far. The rise in popularity of tennis in this period became known as the 'Renshaw Rush'. In 1888 William was elected the first president of the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). In 1983, William Renshaw was elected posthumously into the International Tennis Hall of Fame together with his brother.
Death
He died in Swanage, Dorset on 12 August 1904, aged 43, of epileptic convulsions.
