![]() Blanche Hillyard won the Irish Championships in May, she was also title leader this year | |
Details | |
---|---|
Duration | 27 February – 30 December |
Edition | 13th |
Tournaments | 67 |
Categories | Important (4) National (4) Provincial/Regional/State (14) County (12) Regular (31) |
Achievements (singles) | |
Most titles | ![]() |
Most finals | ![]() |
← 1887 1889 → |
The 1888 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 67 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 quarter-finals 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Mar. | Auckland Association Championships Auckland, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 Apr. | Ceylon Championships [24] The Hill Club Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1, 6–5 | ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 May. [1] | Inter-Colonial Lawn Tennis Tournament [25] (Championship of New South Wales) Sydney, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 8–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
26 May. [1] | West of Scotland Championships [26] Pollockshields Athletic Club Pollokshields, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 10–8 | ![]() | ||
26 May | Flushing Spring Tournament [27] [28] Flushing Athletic Club Flushing, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | |
Irish Championships [29] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 3–6, 6–1 [1] | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jun | Washington D.C. Open Tournament [30] Kendall Green Washington D.C., United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
2 Jun. | Championship of West of England [31] Lansdown Cricket Club Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 11–9, 7–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 [1] | ![]() ![]() | ||||
New York Tennis Club Open New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Jun. | East Gloucestershire Championships [1] Cheltenham LTC Grass Cheltenham, England Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 5–7, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Whitehouse Open [1] Whitehouse LTC Edinburgh, Scotland Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 8–6 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
13 Jun. | Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament [32] Trent Bridge Ground Nottingham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
15 Jun. [11] | U.S. National Championships Philadelphia Country Club Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles | ![]() 6–3, 6–5 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
16 Jun. | Kent All-Comers' Championships [33] Beckenham LTC Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 1–6, 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Scottish Championships Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Challenger![]() | |||||
Welsh Championships [34] Penarth LTC Penarth, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() | |||
22 Jun | London Championships [35] London Athletic Club Stamford Bridge, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() | |
Challenger![]() | |||||
23 Jun. | Northern Championships [36] Liverpool Cricket Club Liverpool, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 9–7 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 7–5, 10–8 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
30 Jun. | Waterloo Tournament [37] Waterloo LTC Waterloo, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–0, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 8–6, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Midland Counties Championships [38] Edgbaston CLTC Edgbaston, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–0 1–0, retd | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 0–6, 7–5, 6–2 [1] | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Jul. | Natal Championships Pietermaritzburg, Colony of Natal Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 6–3 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
21 Jul. | Taunton and West Somerset Lawn Tennis Tournament [1] Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() default | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
7 Jul. | Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Tournament [1] Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 0–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
19 Jul. | Leamington Open Tournament Leamington Spa, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
19 Jul. | Wimbledon Championships [39] AELTC London, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
24 Jul. | Meadow Club Invitation [40] Meadow Club Southampton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 5–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 11–9 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Jul | Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament Ilkley LTC Ilkley, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–0, 7–5 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() default | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Middlesex Championships Chiswick, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
29 Jul. | Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Aug. | Northumberland Championships [41] Newcastle upon Tyne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() walkover | ![]() ![]() | ||||
6 Aug | Derbyshire Championships [42] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 7–5, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Staten Island Invitation Staten Island Athletic Club West New Brighton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
9 Aug | Darlington Association Tournament [43] Feethams Cricket Ground Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 3–6, 6–0, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 7–5, 13–11 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
10 Aug | Keswick and Lake District Lawn Tennis Tournament [44] Fitz Park Keswick, England. Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 5–7, 6–3, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
East Grinstead Lawn Tennis Tournament [45] East Grinstead LTCC East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() ![]() divided title | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 7–5, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
11 Aug | Exmouth Tournament [46] Exmouth Ground Exmouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
17 Aug | British Columbia Lawn Tennis Championships Victoria LTC Victoria, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ||
18 Aug | East of Scotland Championships St Andrews, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() | ||
Felixstowe Open Lawn Tennis Tournament Felixstowe LTC Felixstowe, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–2, 10–8 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
20 Aug | Narragansett Pier Open [47] Narragansett, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 6–1, 6–0 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
23 Aug | Saxmundham LTC Tournament Hurts Hall Park Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
24 Aug | Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament Torquay, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
25 Aug | Hitchin Tournament Hitchin, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–0, 6–3 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 3–6, 9–7 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
South of Scotland Championships Moffat, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 4–6, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
26 Aug. | Southern California Championships Santa Monica Casino Courts Santa Monica, United States Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | ![]() | |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
27 Aug | County Kildare Championship [48] Naas, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
28 Aug | North of England Championships Scarborough, Great Britain Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 1–6, 6–4, 9–7, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Challenger![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Seabright Invitational Tournament Seabright LTCC Rumson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Winnipeg Open Lawn Tennis Tournament [49] Winnipeg LTC Winnipeg, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 6–3 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–3, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Sep. | Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 7–5 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Holder![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 4–6, 6–4, 6–1 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
3 Sep. | Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–2 | ![]() | ||
11 Sep | South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 6–1 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Holder![]() | |||||
![]() ![]() 6–8, 6–2, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
13 Sep | Boulogne International Championship TC Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 2–6, 6–2, 7–5 | ![]() | ||
15 Sep | Armagh Lawn Tennis Tournament [50] Archery LTC Armagh, Ireland Asphalt Singles - Doubles | ![]() 2–1 sets | ![]() | ||
16 Sep | Wijk aan Zee Ladies Tournament (round robin event) Wijk aan Zee TC Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 2–0 matches | ![]() ![]() | ||
Essex Championships [51] Connaught Club Chingford, England Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–4, 0–6, 6–4 | ![]() | |||
18 Sep | New Hamburg Invitation [52] New Hamburg LTC New Hamburg, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ![]() | |
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
19 Sep | New York Tennis Club Open [53] New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | No Women's Singles | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 5–6, 6–1, 6–4 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Belmont Fall Tennis Tournament [54] Belmont Cricket Club West Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 9–7, 8–6 | ![]() | |||
![]() ![]() 6–0, 6–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
22 Sep. | Queensland Association Tournament (later Queensland Championships) Brisbane, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 12–9 | ![]() | ||
29 Sep | Hudson River Championships [55] Far & Near LTC Hastings-on-Hudson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() Won | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() Won | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semi finalist | Quarter finalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Oct | Ladies Club for Outdoor Sports Open Livingston, United States Singles - Doubles | ![]() 4–6, 6–2, 6–3. | ![]() | ||
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
14 Oct | Delaware Field Club Open [56] Delaware Field Club Wilmington, United States Clay Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–3, 6–0 | ![]() ![]() | ||
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Nov. | Victorian Championships Melbourne, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–4, 6–5 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() Won | ? |
Ended | Tournament | Winner | Finalist | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 Dec | New Zealand Championships [57] Farndon Park Napier, New Zealand Singles - Doubles | ![]() 6–5, 9–7 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() 6–2, 6–2 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() ![]() 6–1, 6–3 | ![]() ![]() |
This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1888 major titles in bold: