1888 women's tennis season

1888 Women's tennis season

Blanche Hillyard won the Irish Championships in May, she was also title leader this year
Details
Duration	27 February – 30 December
Edition	13th
Tournaments	65
Categories	Important (4) National (4) Provincial/Regional/State (14) County (12) Regular (31)
Achievements (singles)
Most tournament titles	Blanche Hillyard (7)
Most tournament finals	Blanche Hillyard (9)
← 1887 1889 →

The 1888 Women's tennis season was a tennis circuit composed of 65 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]

Summary of season

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]

Season results

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 quarterfinals stage where historical sources have permitted.

Key

Important. [20] [21] [22] [23]

National

Provincial/State/Regional

County

Regular

January

No events

February

No events

March

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
1 Mar.	Auckland Association Championships Auckland, New Zealand Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss. Mowbray 6–2, 6–0	Miss. Jahn

April

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
12 Apr.	Ceylon Championships [24] The Hill Club Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon Clay Singles - Doubles	Miss I. J. Watson 6–1, 6–1, 6–5	Miss A'Esterre

May

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	Lillian Scott 8–6, 6–4	Ellen Mayne	Eliza Fitzgerald Edith L Fox	Florence Batt Ellen Blaxland Ada Keele Miss Maddrell
		Challenger Ellen Mayne
		Lilian Scott Zilla Scott 6–1, 3–6, 6–2	Edith Fox Ellen Mayne
		Ellen Mayne Dudley Webb 6–4, 2–6, 6–1	Zilla Scott Alec Chomley
26 May. [1]	West of Scotland Championships [26] Pollockshields Athletic Club Pollokshields, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Rose 6–0, 10–8	Miss Simpson
26 May	Flushing Spring Tournament [27] [28] Flushing Athletic Club Flushing, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Ellen M. Lynch 6–3, 6–3, 6–3	Miss Ward	Miss Bogert Miss Mann
	Irish Championships [29] Fitzwilliam LTC Dublin, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–2	Bertha Steedman	Constance Bryan May Langrishe	Connie Butler Margaret Bracewell Mary Steedman Isabella Smyth
		Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman 6–2, 3–6, 6–1 [1]	Margaret Bracewell Blanche Hillyard
		Margaret Bracewell Ernest Wool Lewis 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 9–7	Bertha Steedman H Cairns

June

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
1 Jun	Washington D.C. Open Tournament [30] Kendall Green Washington D.C., United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Florence Bayard 6–2, 6–0, 6–1	Agnes S. Bartlett
		Florence Bayard Annie J. Safford 6–0, 6–1, 6–3	Agnes S. Bartlett Sallie A. Bartlett
2 Jun.	Championship of West of England [31] Lansdown Cricket Club Bath, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–0	N. Pope	Margaret Bracewell Gertrude Gibbs	Ann Dod Blanche Hillyard Beatrice Langrishe
		Ann Dod Lottie Dod 11–9, 7–5	Beatrice Langrishe N. Pope
		Margaret Bracewell Harry Grove 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 [1]	Lottie Dod Anthony Dod
	New York Tennis Club Spring Open New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles	Miss Locke 6–1, 6–1	A McKinley	Adelaide Badgley Mrs Johnson
		Adelaide Badgley Howard Badgley Won	Augustus Schultz William D. Hobart
9 Jun.	East Gloucestershire Championships [1] Cheltenham LTC Grass Cheltenham, England Singles - Doubles	Louisa Martin 6–4, 5–7, 6–2	Blanche Hillyard	Margaret Bracewell Miss Fenwick	Gertrude Bracewell Ellen Browne M. Crossley Beatrice Langrishe
	Whitehouse Open [1] Whitehouse LTC Edinburgh, Scotland Clay Singles - Doubles	Ann Dod 6–2, 8–6	J Ferguson
		Ann Dod J Ferguson 6–2, 6–4	Miss Meikle Jane Meikle
		Ann Dod Richard Millar Watson 5–7, 6–3, 6–4	J Ferguson CD Murray
13 Jun.	Nottinghamshire LTA Tournament [32] Trent Bridge Ground Nottingham, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Florence Noon 6–2, 6–1	Frances Snook	Charlotte Snook Agnes Noon Watts	Miss Exham Mrs Hill
15 Jun. [11]	U.S. National Championships Philadelphia Country Club Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles	Bertha Townsend 6–3, 6–5	Marion Wright	Adeline Robinson	Ellen Roosevelt Violet Ward
		Challenger Ellen Hansell
16 Jun.	Kent All-Comers' Championships [33] Beckenham LTC Beckenham, England Grass Singles - Doubles	May Jacks 1–6, 6–3, 6–0	Edith Gurney	Miss Canning N. Howes	Miss Aste E. Forrest J. Kennedy A. Wickham
		Edith Gurney Charles Ross	May Jacks “A.N. Other”
	Scottish Championships Dyvour Club Edinburgh, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles	Connie Butler 6–3, 6–3	Beatrice Wood	E, Ferguson J. Ferguson	Jane Meikle Miss Meikle Miss Rankine
		Challenger Ann Dod
	Welsh Championships [34] Penarth LTC Penarth, Wales Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 6–3, 6–3	Miss N. Pope
22 Jun	London Championships [35] London Athletic Club Stamford Bridge, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 6–4, 6–3	Miss Canning	Mrs A. Burr
		Challenger May Jacks
23 Jun.	Northern Championships [36] Liverpool Cricket Club Liverpool, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Lottie Dod 6–3, 9–7	May Langrishe	Margaret Bracewell Louisa Martin	Gertrude Bracewell Florence Mardall Beatrice Wood Florence Stanuell
		Challenger Blanche Hillyard
		Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–2	Margaret Bracewell May Langrishe
		Blanche Hillyard Ernest Renshaw 7–5, 10–8	Lottie Dod John Charles Kay
30 Jun.	Waterloo Tournament [37] Waterloo LTC Waterloo, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Ann Dod 4–6, 6–0, 6–3	K. Hill
		M. Pick John Charles 8–6, 6–3	K. Hill William Wethered
	Midland Counties Championships [38] Edgbaston CLTC Edgbaston, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Margaret Bracewell 7–5, 6–2	Florence Mardall	Gertrude Bracewell J. Wray	Mrs G Elkington Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman Lilian Watson
		Lilian Watson Maud Watson 6–0 1–0, retd	Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman
		Maud Watson John Redfern Deykin 0–6, 7–5, 6–2 [1]	Bertha Steedman George Brown

July

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
1 Jul.	Natal Championships Pietermaritzburg, Colony of Natal Grass Singles - Doubles	Mabel Grant 6–4, 6–3	Norah Hickman	Beatrice Grant Miss Lloyd	Miss Grant Miss Nimmo
		Challenger L. Button
		L. Button Reuben Benningfield 6–1, 6–3	Mabel Grant William J. Grant
21 Jul.	Taunton and West Somerset Lawn Tennis Tournament [1] Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles	N. Pope default	Louisa Sweet-Escott	A. Boucher Ada Meyler	Angel Smith Miss Kepple-Taylor
		N. Pope Louisa Sweet-Escott 6–2, 6–4	Ada Meyler Jessie Meyler
7 Jul.	Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Tournament [1] Coton Hill Institution Grounds Stafford, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Agnes Watts 6–1, 0–6, 6–4	Bertha Steedman
		Bertha Steedman Ernest Wool Lewis 6–4, 6–1	Mary Steedman John Redfern Deykin
19 Jul.	Leamington Open Tournament Leamington Spa, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Alice Pickering 4–6, 6–1, 6–2	Mrs Christie
19 Jul.	Wimbledon Championships [39] AELTC London, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Lottie Dod 6–2, 6–0	Miss Howes	D. Patterson Miss Phillimore	Miss Canning Blanche Williams
		Challenger Blanche Hillyard
24 Jul.	Meadow Club Invitation [40] Meadow Club Southampton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	E. K. Lente 6–4, 5–6, 6–4	A Smallwood	May Colby M. Lente	Mrs Babbitt J Fraser E. W. Smith N Trowbridge
		E. K. Lente A. Smallwood 6–1, 6–1	May Colby J Fraser
		Miss Betts Henry Slocum 6–4, 11–9	Miss Gregory Oliver Samuel Campbell
28 Jul	Yorkshire Association and County Open Tournament Ilkley LTC Ilkley, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Margaret Bracewell 3–6, 6–0, 7–5	Mabel Boulton	Gertrude Bracewell L. Chatterton-Clarke	M. Crossley Miss Hutchinson
		Challenger Beatrice Wood
		Margaret Bracewell James Baldwin default	Gertrude Bracewell Marmaduke S. Constable
	Middlesex Championships Chiswick, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 6–2, 6–4	Edith Cole	Ethel Gurney Miss Malcolm	Mrs Anderson Miss Howes May Jacks H. James
		Challenger D Patterson (holder)
		Edith Gurney Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–3	D Patterson J Wray
29 Jul.	Ealing LTC Championship Ealing LTC Ealing, England Grass Singles - Doubles	A. Francesca Brown Won	?

August

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
4 Aug.	Northumberland Championships [41] Newcastle upon Tyne, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Connie Butler 3–6, 6–4, 6–4	Ann Dod	Helen Jackson Beatrice Wood	Mrs Raggett Miss Swarbreck Miss Tarver A. Turner
		Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn walkover	Helen Jackson Charles Liddell
6 Aug	Derbyshire Championships [42] Buxton, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 7–5, 6–1	May Langrishe	Gertrude Bracewell M. Goodman	Margaret Bracewell M. Crossley Katherine Hill Miss Pickthall
		Lottie Dod May Langrishe 6–3, 6–3	Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman
		Lottie Dod William Drummond Hamilton 6–0, 6–1	Margaret Bracewell Tom Campion
	Staten Island Invitation Staten Island Athletic Club West New Brighton, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Adeline Robinson 6–1, 6–1	G. Quartley	A. Larkin L. Vorhees	L. Bailey Miss Dean N. Janssen Gertrude Williams
		Adeline Robinson Gertrude Williams 6–0, 6–1	M. Bailey G. Quartley
9 Aug	Darlington Association Tournament [43] Feethams Cricket Ground Darlington, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Beatrice Wood 3–6, 6–0, 6–3	Ann Dod
		Ann Dod Miss Lucas 5–7, 6–4, 6–2	Ethel Cheese Mary Cheese
		Ann Dod John Galbraith Horn 7–5, 13–11	Constance Bowes-Lyon Patrick Bowes-Lyon
10 Aug	Keswick and Lake District Lawn Tennis Tournament [44] Fitz Park Keswick, England. Grass Singles - Doubles	Lydia Cheetham 5–7, 6–3, 6–2	Florence Haines
		Miss Allen J.E.R. Allen 1–6, 6–1, 6–4	E. Haines Edgar J. Chippendale
	East Grinstead Lawn Tennis Tournament [45] East Grinstead LTCC East Grinstead, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot divided title
		Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot 6–1, 6–0	Miss Birch Miss Thompson
		A. Covey Harold Stone 7–5, 6–3	J. Saint Clair P.E. Wallis
11 Aug	Exmouth Tournament [46] Exmouth Ground Exmouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 6–3, 6–1	Miss Bryan	Katharine Kindersley Lilian Pine-Coffin	Edith Gurney Beatrice Langrishe May Langrishe Florence Mardall
		Ann Dod Miss Lucas 5–7, 6–4, 6–2	Ethel Cheese Mary Cheese
17 Aug	British Columbia Lawn Tennis Championships Victoria LTC Victoria, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles	Frances Arrowsmith Won	Anastasia Musgrave
18 Aug	East of Scotland Championships St Andrews, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles	Jane Meikle 6–3, 6–4	A Corbett
	Felixstowe Open Lawn Tennis Tournament Felixstowe LTC Felixstowe, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Nellie Turner 4–6, 6–2, 10–8	F Green
		Helen Kersey Herbert Kersey 6–3, 6–0	Mrs K.E. Hawkins Arthur B. Longe
20 Aug	Narragansett Pier Open [47] Narragansett, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Adeline Robinson 6–0, 6–1, 6–0	Ellen Roosevelt
		Ellen Roosevelt Oliver Samuel Campbell 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–3	Adeline Robinson Howard Augustus Taylor
23 Aug	Saxmundham LTC Tournament Hurts Hall Park Saxmundham, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Norman 6–1, 6–2	Edith Austin
		E. Hawkins G. Rant 6–2, 6–3	K. Gilbert E. Rawlinson
		Miss Norman G. Norman 6–0, 6–2	E. Rawlinson Rodwell
24 Aug	Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament Torquay, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Mockler	A. Foley
		Edith Gurney Ernest Wool Lewis 6–1, 6–2	Miss Wolfe William Inchbald
25 Aug	Hitchin Tournament Hitchin, England Grass Singles - Doubles	May Jacks 6–0, 6–3	Florence Hilda Caldecott
		Ivy Arbuthnot May Arbuthnot 6–3, 3–6, 9–7	Geraldine Buttanshaw Rosamond Buttanshaw
		May Jacks Herbert C. Yockney 6–3, 6–3	Geraldine Buttanshaw Charles Gladstone Allen
	South of Scotland Championships Moffat, Scotland Grass Singles - Doubles	E. Malcolm 6–4, 3–6, 6–3	Lottie Paterson
		E. Malcolm Lottie Paterson 6–2, 6–2	Miss Pierce A Pierce
		E. Malcolm F.R.B. Pinhorn 6–1, 4–6, 6–2	Lottie Paterson B McCulloch
26 Aug.	Southern California Championships Santa Monica Casino Courts Santa Monica, United States Asphalt Singles - Doubles	Miss G. Gilliland 6–2, 6–0	May Carter	Miss Schumacher
		Mrs. Waring R. P. Carter 6–2, 6–3	Miss Gilliland Miss Schumacher
27 Aug	County Kildare Championship [48] Naas, Ireland Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss. A. Weldon 6–1, 6–4	Miss. C. DeBurgh
		Miss. A. Weldon John C. Kennedy 6–4, 7–5, 6–2	Mrs Ambrose Escott G. Weidon
28 Aug	North of England Championships Scarborough, Great Britain Grass Singles - Doubles	Margaret Bracewell 1–6, 6–4, 9–7, 6–4	Connie Butler	Mary Steedman Beatrice Wood	Ann Dod M Crossley Clara Hill A. Turner
		Challenger Bertha Steedman
		Ann Dod Lottie Dod 6–3, 6–4	Bertha Steedman Mary Steedman
		Margaret Bracewell Harry Grove 6–3, 6–1	Gertrude Bracewell Percy Bateman Brown
	Seabright Invitational Tournament Seabright LTCC Rumson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Clarkson 6–2, 6–0	B. Lockwood
		B. Lockwood H. Alexander 4–6, 6–3, 6–0	Miss Thomas W. Ward
	Winnipeg Open Lawn Tennis Tournament [49] Winnipeg LTC Winnipeg, Canada Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss F. Adams 6–5, 6–3	Mrs. Eden
		Mrs. Ruttan R.D. Applegate 6–3, 6–4	Mrs. Nares Mr. Tuckweel

September

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
1 Sep.	Bournemouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament Bournemouth CLTC Bournemouth, England Grass Singles - Doubles	May Langrishe 6–1, 7–5	Beatrice Langrishe	Miss Elphinston Miss Williams	A. Everitt Grace Grissell J.R. Robinson Mrs Surman
		Holder Constance Bryan
		Beatrice Langrishe May Langrishe 4–6, 6–4, 6–1	Miss Bryan A. Everitt
3 Sep.	Sheffield and Hallamshire Tournament Sheffield, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Clark 6–1, 6–2	Miss Crossley
11 Sep	South of England Championships Devonshire Park LTC Eastbourne, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Blanche Hillyard 6–1, 6–1	Constance Smith	E. Malcolm Gertrude Mellersh	Edith Gurney Elizabeth Mocatta Blanche Pedley Catherine Triscott
		Holder Margaret Bracewell
		Margaret Bracewell Harry S. Barlow 6–8, 6–2, 6–3	Blanche Hillyard Tom Campion
13 Sep	Boulogne International Championship TC Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Clay Singles - Doubles	Mrs Knock 2–6, 6–2, 7–5	Miss Hick
15 Sep	Armagh Lawn Tennis Tournament [50] Archery LTC Armagh, Ireland Asphalt Singles - Doubles	Lena Rice 2–1 sets	May Langrishe
16 Sep	Wijk aan Zee Ladies Tournament (round robin event) Wijk aan Zee TC Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands Clay Singles - Doubles	E. van de Poll 2–0 matches	Baronesse van Tuijll van Serooskerker Mej. Matzen
	Essex Championships [51] Connaught Club Chingford, England Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Triscott 6–4, 0–6, 6–4	Brenda James
18 Sep	New Hamburg Invitation [52] New Hamburg LTC New Hamburg, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Ellen Roosevelt Won	May Colby	Anna Kerr
		Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt Won	Miss V. Hobart Camilla Moss
19 Sep	New York Tennis Club Fall Open [53] New York Tennis Club New York City, United States Clay Singles - Doubles	No Women's Singles	May Colby
		Mrs H.G. Badgley Lida Vorhees 5–6, 6–1, 6–4	Miss Hobart V. Hobart
	Belmont Fall Tennis Tournament [54] Belmont Cricket Club West Philadelphia, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Bertha Townsend 9–7, 8–6	Nellie F. Hansell
		Helen S. Taylor Laura Knight 6–0, 6–5	Millie Dreka Helen Brown
22 Sep.	Queensland Association Tournament (later Queensland Championships) Brisbane, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss Earle 12–9	Mrs. Gilligan
29 Sep	Hudson River Championships [55] Far & Near LTC Hastings-on-Hudson, United States Grass Singles - Doubles	Ellen Roosevelt Won	?
		Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt Won	?  ?

October

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semi finalist	Quarter finalist
6 Oct	Ladies Club for Outdoor Sports Open Livingston, United States Singles - Doubles	Adeline Robinson 4–6, 6–2, 6–3.	Miss Lesley
		Ellen Roosevelt Grace Roosevelt 6–2, 6–0	Adeline Robinson G. Williams
14 Oct	Delaware Field Club Open [56] Delaware Field Club Wilmington, United States Clay Singles - Doubles	Florence Bayard 6–3, 6–0	Katharine Pyle

November

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
1 Nov.	Victorian Championships Melbourne, Australia Grass Singles - Doubles	Miss M Mayne 6–1, 3–6, 6–4	Nellie A’Beckett	E. M. Denny's Mabel Shaw	Annie Chenery
		Annie Chenery Nellie Chenery 6–4, 6–5	Ellen Mayne Phenie Shaw
		Nellie A'Beckett Henry F. de Little Won	?

December

Ended	Tournament	Winner	Finalist	Semifinalist	Quarterfinalist
30 Dec	New Zealand Championships [57] Farndon Park Napier, New Zealand Singles - Doubles	E. Gordon 6–5, 9–7	Hilda Hitchings	Sarah Tanner Miss Weby	Miss Bibby Una Hitchings
		E Gordon Hilda Hitchings 6–2, 6–2	Miss Hill Mrs E Tanner
		E Gordon Frederick Wilding 6–1, 6–3	Hilda Hitchings CD Kennedy

Tournament winners (singles)

This is a list of winners by the total number of singles titles won for 1888 major titles in bold:

• Blanche Hillyard – Buxton, Chiswick Park, Eastbourne, Exmouth, Penarth, Irish Championships Stamford Bridge, (7)
• Lottie Dod – Bath, Northern Championships, Wimbledon Championships (3)
• Adeline Robinson – Livingston, Narragansett, West New Brighton, (3)
• Ann Dod – Edinburgh II, Waterloo (2)
• Connie Butler – Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, (2)
• May Jacks – Beckenham, Hitchin (2)
• Margaret Bracewell – Edgbaston, Scarborough, (2)
• Bertha Townsend – West Philadelphia, U.S. National Championships, (2)
• Florence Bayard – Washington D.C., Wilmington, (2)
• Beatrice Wood – Darlington, Ilkley, (2)
• Ellen Roosevelt – Hastings-on-Hudson, New Hamburg (2)
• Miss. I. J. Watson – Nuwara Eliya (1)
• Lilian Scott – Sydney (1)
• Miss Rose – Pollokshields (1)
• Ellen M. Lynch – Flushing (1)
• Miss Locke – New York City (1)
• Louisa Martin – Cheltenham (1)
• Florence Noon – Nottingham (1)
• Mabel Grant – Pietermaritzburg (1)
• Alice Pickering – Leamington Spa (1)
• Agnes Noon Watts – Stafford (1)
• Francesca Brown – Ealing (1)
• Lydia Cheetham – Keswick (1)
• Ivy Arbuthnot – East Grinstead (1)
• Jane Meikle – St Andrews (1)
• Nellie Turner – Felixstowe (1)
• Miss Norman – Saxmundham (1)
• Miss Mockler – Torquay (1)
• E. K. Lente – Southampton (1)
• E Malcolm – Moffat (1)
• Miss. A. Weldon – Naas (1)
• Frances Arrowsmith – Victoria (1)
• Miss F. Adams – Winnipeg (1)
• Miss Gilliland – Santa Monica (1)
• Miss Clarkson – Rumson (1)
• Miss Triscott – Chingford, (1)
• May Langrishe – Bournemouth (1)
• Lena Rice – Armagh (1)
• L. Chatterton-Clarke – Sheffield (1)
• Miss Knock – Boulogne-sur-Mer (1)
• Miss Earle – Brisbane (1)
• E. van de Poll – Wijk aan Zee (1)
• Ellen Mayne – Melbourne (1)
• E. Gordon – Napier (1)

Statistical summary

Singles

• Total Tournaments (65)
• Most Titles: Blanche Hillyard (7)
• Most Finals: Blanche Hillyard (9)
• Most Matches Played: Blanche Hillyard (31)
• Most Matches Won: Blanche Hillyard (27)
• Match Winning %: Blanche Hillyard (87.09%)
• Most Tournaments Played: Blanche Hillyard (11)

References

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10. Northern Whig (May 1888)
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13. Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser
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