July 9th, 1877...
The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club began its first lawn tennis tournament at Wimbledon on July 9th, 1877.
The first Wimbledon featured twenty-one amateurs competing in the "Gentlemen's Singles Tournament." Twenty-two players registered but only twenty-one showed up.
After being delayed a few days for a cricket match and then a rain out, the Final would take place on July 19th. About 200 spectators would pay a shilling to see the Championship Matchup between William Marshall and Spencer Gore.
The Final lasted only 48 minutes with the 27-year-old Gore dominating the match crushing Marshall, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Gore won a 25-guinea trophy.
By - SC
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