Oxford University Champion Tournament

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]

Oxford University Champion Tournament
Defunct tennis tournament
Founded1880; 144 years ago (1880)
Abolished1888; 136 years ago (1888)
LocationNorham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
VenueOxford University Lawn Tennis Club
SurfaceClay

History

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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

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Men's Singles

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(Incomplete roll)

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

Venue

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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

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  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