Willoughby Hamilton

Willoughby Hamilton

File:Willoughby James.jpg
Full name	James Willoughby Hamilton
Country (sports)	Ireland
Born	(1864-12-09)December 9, 1864 Monasterevin, Kildare, Ireland
Died	Dublin, Ireland
Singles
Career record	{{#property:P564}}
Highest ranking	No. 1 (1889, Karoly Mazak)
Grand Slam Singles results
Wimbledon	W (1890)
Career record	{{#property:P555}}

Willoughby Hamilton (born as James Willoughby "Willoby" Hamilton; 9 December 1864 in Monasterevin – 27 September 1943 in Dublin) was a former co-World No. 1 Irish male tennis player, a footballer and international badminton player.

Career

Hamilton won the Gentlemen's Singles title at the 1890 Wimbledon Championships, defeating William Renshaw in five sets, and becoming the first Irish player to win the tournament. The previous year, he had won both the North England Championships and the Irish Championships. In the latter tournament he defeated the six time Wimbledon champion William Renshaw in the all-comers final and then went on to defeat his brother Ernest Renshaw in the challenge round. This made him one of the favorites for the 1889 Wimbledon title but he suffered a five set defeat in the semifinal against Harry Barlow. For the span 1889-90, Hamilton was ranked by many as the best tennis player in the world. Hamilton did not defend his Wimbledon title in the 1891 challenge round.

Hamilton was educated at Trinity College Dublin and he played association football for both Dublin University A.F.C. and for Dublin Association F.C.. Hamilton also played for Ireland in an 1885 game against Wales. Among his team mates was his brother William Hamilton.

Grand Slam finals

Singles

Titles (1)

Year	Championship	Opponent	Score
1890	Wimbledon	William Renshaw	6–8, 6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–1

External links

• TennisArchives Profile