Oxford University Champion Tournament

Oxford University Champion Tournament
Defunct tennis tournament
Founded1880; 145 years ago (1880)
Abolished1888; 137 years ago (1888)
LocationNorham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
VenueOxford University Lawn Tennis Club
SurfaceClay

The Oxford University Champion Tournament[1] was a men's grass court closed tennis tournament organised by the Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club,[2] and played at Norham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England from 1880 to 1888.[3]

History

The Oxford University Tournament was a late 19th century tennis event first staged around June 1881 at Norham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.[3] It was a closed tournament for current or former students of Oxford University. The first recorded winner of the men's singles was Britain's Robert Braddell.[4] The final known edition was in 1888 that was won by England's Harry Stanley Scrivener.[3]

Finals

Men's Singles

(Incomplete roll)

  • 1881—United Kingdom Robert Braddell def. England Thomas Poltimore Dimond, 6–4, 8–6, 6–2.[3]
  • 1882—United Kingdom Edward Beaumont Cotton Curtis def. Scotland John Galbraith Horn, 3–6, 6–4, 6–0, 3–6, 7–5.[5]
  • 1883—United Kingdom Robert Theodore Milford def. England Herbert Carnegie Knox, 6–4, 6–3, 6–5.[3]
  • 1885—England Thomas Robinson Grey def. England J.S. Burton, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3, 6–3.[3]
  • 1886—England Howard Pease def. England William Parkfield Wethered, 6–3, 6–2, 2–6, 3–6, 6–1.[3]
  • 1887—England Thomas Musgrave Burton def. England Harry Stanley Scrivener, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 8–6.[3]
  • 1888—England Harry Stanley Scrivener def. ?[3]

Venue

The Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club (OULTC) was founded in 1879 that consisted of 12 grass courts laid out for the inaugural Oxford University Men's Doubles Championships, which were held in May of the same year.[6] In 1927 the club's name was changed to the Norham Gardens Lawn Tennis Club which is still in existence today.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Our Calendar for the Month". The Boy's Own Annual. London: "Leisure hour" Office. 1880. p. 498.
  2. ^ "History". www.norham.org.uk. Norham Gardens LTC. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Nieuwland, Alex (2011–2022). Source: https://www.tennisarchives.com/tournament/Oxford University Tournament Search tournament by name. Tennis Archives. Netherlands.
  4. ^ "LAWN TENNIS AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY. The final round in the single championship tournament was played yesterday on the Oxford University ground, and resulted in a victory for R. W. Braddell (Worcester) by three sets to love" (Subscription). Daily Telegraph & Courier (London). London, England: British Newspaper Archive. 21 May 1881. p. 2. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Lawn Tennis: Tournaments and Matches in 1882.". Routledge's sporting annual. London: George Routledge and Son's. 1883. p. 412.
  6. ^ a b Norham Gardens LTC