Spencer William Gore was an English tennis player who won the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877 and a first-class cricketer who played for Surrey County Cricket Club (1874–1875).
Patrick Francis "Frank" Hadow was an English tennis player, who won the Wimbledon championship in 1878.
The 1877 Wimbledon Championship was a men's tennis tournament held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. It was the world's first official lawn tennis tournament, and was later recognised as the first Grand Slam tournament or "Major". The AEC & LTC had been founded in July 1868, as the All England Croquet Club. Lawn tennis was introduced in February 1875 to compensate for the waning interest in croquet. In June 1877 the club decided to organise a tennis tournament to pay for the repair of its pony roller, needed to maintain the lawns. A set of rules was drawn up for the tournament, derived from the first standardised rules of tennis issued by the Marylebone Cricket Club in May 1875.
The 1879 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 7 July until 16 July. It was the 3rd staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1879. The entry for the 1879 all comers' tournament was 45, of whom 36 were newcomers. The all comers' final was watched by 1100 spectators.
The 1880 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 5 July until 15 July. It was the 4th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1880. There were a total of 60 competitors who entered the tournament a record until the 1904 draw. The admission charge remained at a shilling for the first four days, then raised to half a crown for the latter half of the draw. The final was watched by 1300 spectators. The height of the net was reduced from 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) at the posts to 4 feet (1.2 m) and the distance from the service line to the net was reduced from 22 feet (6.7 m) to 21 feet (6.4 m).
The 1882 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 8 July until 17 July. It was the 6th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1882. The net was brought down to its present height of 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) at the posts, and 3 feet (0.91 m) in the middle.
The 1899 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 19 June until 27 June. It was the 23rd staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1899.
The 1901 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 24 June until 3 July. It was the 25th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1901. There was a record entry of thirty competitors in the women's singles.
The 1902 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 23 June until 2 July. It was the 26th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1902. The Women's final is the only match in the history of Wimbledon that was played twice over. Charlotte Cooper Sterry played Muriel Robb in miserable weather conditions, and the match was abandoned with the score at 6–4, 11–13. The match was restarted afresh the next day, and Muriel Robb won the rematch 7–5, 6–1.
The 1903 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 22 June until 1 July. It was the 27th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1903.
The 1904 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 20 June until 29 June. It was the 28th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1904. The entry for the men's singles rose to 62, beating the 1880 record of 60. All ten courts were 'dressed' with a surround of canvas 3 feet (90 cm) high. The balls and equipment were provided by Slazenger.
The 1906 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 25 June until 5 July. It was the 30th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1906.
The 1908 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 22 June until 3 July. It was the 32nd staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1908.
The 1910 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 20 June until 30 June. It was the 34th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the second Grand Slam tennis event of 1910.
The 1912 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 24 June until 8 July. It was the 36th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1912.
The 1921 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 20 June until 2 July. It was the 41st staging of the Wimbledon Championships and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1921.
The 1948 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament was held from Monday 21 June until Saturday 3 July. It was the 62nd staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the third Grand Slam tennis event of 1948. Bob Falkenburg and Louise Brough won the singles titles.
Frank Hadow defeated Robert Erskine 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 in the All Comers' Final, and then defeated the reigning champion Spencer Gore 7–5, 6–1, 9–7 in the challenge round to win the gentlemen's singles tennis title at the 1878 Wimbledon Championships.
Lestocq Robert Erskine was a Scottish tennis player who was active during the first years after the introduction of lawn tennis. He was also a Liberal politician.
The 1878 Men's tennis tour was composed of the third annual pre-open era tour. It now incorporated 15 tournaments staged in Great Britain and Ireland the Wimbledon championships was won by challenger Patrick Francis Hadow defeating the defending champion Spencer Gore.
Frank Hadow