Exmouth Open

Exmouth Open
Defunct tennis tournament
Event nameRobertson Viota Exmouth Open (1970-71)
Exmouth Open (1972-75)
TourILTF Circuit (1913–1975)
Founded1880 (1880)
Abolished1975 (1975)
LocationExmouth, Devon, Great Britain
VenueExmouth Archery, Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club (1880–1927)
Exmouth Lawn Tennis Club (1927–1975)
SurfaceGrass outdoors

The Exmouth Open, originally called the Exmouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament or simply Exmouth Tournament,[1] was a men's and women's grass court tennis tournament founded in 1880.[2] From 1890 the event was known as the Exmouth Open Tennis Tournament. It was hosted by the Exmouth Archery, Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, Exmouth, Devon, Great Britain until 1927. It was then hosted by the newly founded Exmouth Lawn Tennis Club until it was abolished as a senior tour event in 1975.

History

The Exmouth Archery, Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1879.[3] In 1880 the club hosted the first Exmouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament for men only.[4] In 1881 the tournament became an open event for both men and women as well. The first winner of the open men's singles was England's Ernest Maconchy (later Brigadier General),[5][6] and first winner of the women's open singles was Ireland's Lilian Cole.[7] The event was one of the earliest English tournaments that featured a women's singles event.

In 1880s following the Wimbledon Championships it was part of what was known as the "Western tour" over the course of five weeks taking in the grass court events such as the Teignmouth and Shaldon Tournament at Teignmouth,[8] the Torquay Lawn Tennis Tournament at Torquay,[9] the Bournemouth Open Tournament at Bournemouth,[9] and finishing off at the South of England Championships at Eastbourne.[9]

In August 1888 a Battle of the Sexes charity tennis match was staged at the tournament, predating the modern famous match by 85 years, between Ernest Renshaw and Lottie Dod, Renshaw won but only just![10] From 1890 the event was known as the Exmouth Open Tennis Tournament. In 1968 following the start of the open era it was renamed to the Exmouth Open. The event was part of the Amateur Tour (1877–1912), the ILTF Amateur Tour (1913–1967) and the ITF Independent Tour (1968–1975). In 1970 the tournament was called the Robertson Viota Exmouth Open for sponsorship reasons. In 1971 it was known as the Bio-Strath Exmouth Open until 1972.[11]

Former notable of winners the men's singles event include; Charles Lacy Sweet, Charles Walder Grinstead, Harry Grove, Ernest Wool Lewis, William Renshaw, Reggie Doherty, Ryuki Miki, Jaroslav Drobny. Former winners of the women's singles title included; Maud Watson, Blanche Bingley Hillyard, Phyllis Satterthwaite and Sue Barker. The final men's edition held in 1975 was won by Britain's Jonathan Smith, and the final winner of the women's singles was Czech player Jana Simonova.

Finals

Men's singles

Incomplete roll
Year Winners Runners-up Score
Exmouth LTC Tournament
1881[7][12] Ernest Maconchy Thomas Hoare 6–3, 1–6, 6–4
1882[13][12] Charles Lacy Sweet Pelham Von Donop 6–1, 6–4
1883[7][12] Charles Walder Grinstead Teddy Williams 6–2, 6–5, 6–4
1884[7] Charles Walder Grinstead (2) Erskine Gerald Watson 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
1886[12] Harry Grove Henry E. Hunter Kent 6–2, 7–9, 6–4, 7–5
1887[12] Harry Grove (2) James Baldwin 6–1, 6–3, 7–5
1888[12] Ernest Wool Lewis Herbert Chipp 6–1, 6–3, 6–3
1889[12] Ernest Wool Lewis (2) John Redfern Deykin 6–1, 6–2, 6–3
Exmouth Open Tennis Tournament
1890[12] Ernest Wool Lewis (3) Manliffe Goodbody 6–2, 7–5, 2–6, 6–3
1891 Ernest Wool Lewis (4) Horace Chapman 6–1, 6–4, 7–5
1892 Tom Chaytor H. Walters 6–2, 7–5, 6–0
1893 William Renshaw Harry Grove 6–2, 6–4, 6–3
1894 Harry S. Barlow Tom Chaytor 6–2, 7–5, 4–6, 0–6, 12–10
1895 Reggie Doherty Harry S. Barlow 7–5, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
1897 John Mycroft Boucher Arthur Riseley 6–1, 6–0, 6–4
1898 Roy Allen Frank Riseley 6–4, 6–4, 5–7, 5–7, 6–4
1902 Sidney Charles Atkey E. W. Church 6–3, 6–3
1903 B. Walker M. A. H. Fell 6–0, 7–5
1907 Charles Gladstone Eames R. F. J. Harrison 6–2, 6–0
1910 Roy Allen Henry Reginald Fussell 6–2 6–2 ret.
1914/1919 Not held (due to World War I)
1920 Henry Reginald Fussell Arthur John Veysey 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
1921 Herbert Amphlett Davis Charles E. L. Lyle 4–6, 6–4, 6–1, 4–6, 6–2
1922 Charles Pyne Luck Charles E. L. Lyle 6–2, 6–3, 1–6, 6–4
1923 Charles Pyne Luck (2) Charles E. L. Lyle 6–2, 6–3, 1–6, 6–4
1931 Ryuki Miki John Pennycuick 9–7, 6–3
1935 Cam Malfroy Bob Tinkler divided title
1936 Pat Hughes William Michelmore 6–1, 6–3
1937 Henry Billington Bob Tinkler 6–1, 6–4
1938 Henry Billington (2) Bob Tinkler 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1939 Harry Lee Henry Billington 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
1940/1945 Not held (due to World War II)
1946 Derrick Leyland Jeffrey Michelmore 6–2, 6–4
1947 Derrick Leyland (2) John K. Drinkall 9–7, 2–6, 6–3
1949 Paddy Roberts Douglas Scharenguivel 6–3, 7–5
1950 Douglas Scharenguivel Jeffrey Michelmore 6–3, 6–2
1951 Douglas Scharenguivel (2) Jeffrey Michelmore 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
1952 Colin Hannam D. S. Anderson 6–3, 6–3
1953 Bob Lee Tony Starte 3–6, 6–2, 10–8
1954 John M. Ward Geoffrey L. Ward 8–6, 6–2
1955 Darrell H. Shaw D. S. Anderson 7–5, 6–2
1956 Bill Threlfall Mike Sangster 8–6, 6–4
1957 Bill Threlfall (2) A. N. Price 6–3, 6–3
1958 Mike Sangster Peter Moys 6–3, 9–7
1959 Mike Sangster (2) Freddy S. Field 6–1, 5–7, 6–1
1960 Mark Cox Geoff Bluett 6–2, 6–0
1961 Alan Mills Tony Pickard 8–6, 4–6, 6–1
1962 Jaroslav Drobny Roger Becker 8–6, 6–4
1966 Brian Fairlie Onny Parun 6–8, 7–9, 6–2
1967 John D. C. Crump Rayno Seegers 7–5, 6–2
1968 Brian Fairlie (2) Onny Parun 10–8, 7–9, 6–2
↓  Open Era  ↓
Exmouth Open
1969 Paul W. Sussams Lindsey P. Murphy 12–14, 6–2, 6–4
Robertson Viota Exmouth Open
1970 Munawar Iqbal Mark Joseph Farrell 6–3, 6–4
Bio-Strath Exmouth Open
1971 Premjit Lall Stephen Warboys 3–6, 12–10, 6–4
Exmouth Open
1973 Mark Joseph Farrell Mike Collins 6–2, 6–4
1974 Alvin R. Gardiner Graeme Thomson 6–4, 7–5
1975 Jonathan Smith Peter Fisher 7–6, 1–6, 6–3

Men's doubles

Incomplete roll
Year Champions Runners-up Score
Exmouth LTC Tournament
1881 William John Down
T. P. Hogg
Spencer Cox
G. M. Minchin
def.
1882[13] Charles Lacy Sweet
Pelham Von Donop
?
1888 Ernest Wool Lewis
George Hillyard
Ernest Renshaw
Charles Lacy Sweet
6–2, 6–4.

Women's singles

Incomplete roll
Year Winners Runners-up Score
Exmouth LTC Tournament
1881 [7] Lilian Cole Eveline Belfield 6–0, 6–0
1882[13][7] Lilian Cole (2) Charlotte Taylor 6–4, 6–2
1883 [7] Maud Watson Lilian Cole 6–4, 6–2
1884 [7] Maud Watson (2) Agnes Watts 6–1, 7–5, 6–3
1886 Maud Watson (3) Blanche Bingley 7–5, 0–6, 6–3
1887 Blanche Bingley Hillyard Maud Watson 6–4, 6–4
1888 Blanche Bingley Hillyard (4) Constance Bryan 6–3, 6–1
1889 Katharine Hole Lilian Pine-Coffin 2–6, 7–5, 6–4
Exmouth Open Tennis Tournament
1890 Lilian Pine-Coffin (3) Katharine Hole 6–1, 5–7, 6–4
1891 Edith Austin Lilian Pine-Coffin 6–3, 9–7
1892 Lilian Pine-Coffin (4) Constance Bryan 8–6, 4–6, 6–2
1893 Lilian Pine-Coffin (5) Constance Bryan 6–4, 6–2
1894 Lilian Pine-Coffin (6) Helen Jackson 6–2, 6–3
1895 Helen Jackson Jane Corder 6–0 3–6 6–3
1897 Violet Pinckney Elsie Pinckney w.o.
1898 Ellen Thynne Edith Riseley 9–11, 6–3, 8–6
1899 Edith Riseley Winifred Longhurst 6–3, 2–6, 6–3
1901 Mrs Thompson Amy Mooijaart 6–1, 6–1
1903 D. Compton-Lundie Miss Brown 6–3, 6–4
1907 Aurea Farrington Miss McDonald 6–0, 6–0
1909 Joan Retallack Margaret Compton-Lundie 6–1, 5–5 ret.
1910 M. Fergus Lois Putman Hawker 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
1911 Winifred Longhurst Phyllis Carr 6–3, 6–3
1912 Joan Retallack (2) M. Leacroft 5–1, ret.
1913 Phyllis Satterthwaite Madeline Fisher O'Neill 6–4, 6–4
1913 Phyllis Satterthwaite (2) E. White 6–0, 6–0
1915/1919 Not held (due to World War I)
1920 Phyllis Satterthwaite (3) M. Aplin 6–3, 6–0
1921 Elizabeth Ryan Mrs Hall 6–1, 6–2
1967 Corinne Molesworth (2) Margaret Harris 2–6, 7–5, 9–7
1968 Corinne Molesworth (2) Marianne Brummer 2–6, 7–5, 9–7
↓  Open Era  ↓
Exmouth Open
1969 Jill Cooper Rita Bentley 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
Robertson Viota Exmouth Open
1970 Rita Bentley Nuala Dwyer 6–2, 6–3
Bio-Strath Exmouth Open
1971 Susan Alexander Vicki Lancaster 6–2, 6–3
Exmouth Open
1973 Sue Barker Annette Coe 6–3, 6–1
1974 Sue Barker (2) Annette Coe 6–2, 6–2
1975 Jana Simonova Jo Durie 7–5, 7–6

Mixed doubles

Incomplete roll
Year Champions Runners-up Score
Exmouth LTC Tournament
1881 Georgiana Kindersley
Henry Kindersley
Lilian Cole
Thomas Arembery Tombe
2–6, 7–5, 7–5
1882[13] Charlotte Taylor
Charles Pine-Coffin
Miss Percy
Pelham von Donop
6–2, 6–3
1884 Maud Watson
John Redfern Deykin
Alice Bagnall-Wild
Harry Grove
6–2, 6–0
1886 Blanche Bingley
William Renshaw
Maud Watson
John Redfern Deykin
5–7, 7–5, 8–6
1887 Effie Noon
James Baldwin
Blanche Bingley Hillyard
George Hillyard
5–7, 7–5, 8–6
1888 Lottie Dod
Ernest Renshaw
Blanche Bingley Hillyard
George Hillyard
6–1, 4–6, 6–4
Exmouth Open Tennis Tournament
1891 Edith Austin
Ernest Renshaw
Elsie Constance Pinckney
Francis Haskett-Smith
6–4, 8–10, 6–4
1894 Helen Jackson
Harry Sibthorpe Barlow
Lilian Pine-Coffin
William Renshaw
6–1, 6–1

References

  1. ^ "Lawn Tennis". Routledge's sporting annual. London: George Routledge & Sons. 1883. p. 116.
  2. ^ The Boy's Own Annual. London: Leisure Hour Office. 1880. p. 707.
  3. ^ "Club History –". Exmouth, Devon, England: Phear Park Bowling Club. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  4. ^ The Boy's Own Annual (1880)
  5. ^ "Brigadier General Ernest Maconchy: Soldiers' Stories". ww1.nam.ac.uk. London: National Army Museum. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ^ Nieuwland, Alex. "Tournament – Exmouth". www.tennisarchives.com. Netherlands: Tennis Archives.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Dwight, James (1886). "List of Winners:Exmouth". Lawn-tennis. Boston, Massachusetts, United States: Wright & Ditson. p. 91.
  8. ^ Lake, Robert J. (3 October 2014). A Social History of Tennis in Britain. Oxford: Routledge. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-134-44557-8.
  9. ^ a b c Lake (2014)
  10. ^ Fletcher, Kelly (23 September 2020). "Book Review: Tennis for the people". New Frame. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  11. ^ World of Tennis 1971 : a BP year book. London: Queen Anne Press. 1971. pp. 270–271. ISBN 9780362000917.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Heathcote, John Moyer (1891). Tennis. London: Longmans, Green. p. 444.
  13. ^ a b c d Routledge Sporting Annual 1883

Sources

  • Club History. Exmouth, Devon, England: Phear Park Bowling Club.
  • Dwight, James (1886).Lawn Tennis. Boston, Massachusetts, United States: Wright & Ditson.
  • Fletcher, Kelly (23 September 2020). "Book Review: Tennis for the people". New Frame.
  • Heathcote, John Moyer (1891). Tennis. London: Longmans, Green.
  • Lake, Robert J. (3 October 2014). A Social History of Tennis in Britain. Oxford: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-44557-8.
  • National Army Museum, Brigadier General Ernest Maconchy: Soldiers' Stories". ww1.nam.ac.uk.
  • Nieuwland, Alex. "Tournament – Exmouth". www.tennisarchives.com. Netherlands: Tennis Archives.
  • Routledge's sporting annual (1883). London: George Routledge & Sons.
  • The Boy's Own Annual. London: Leisure Hour Office. 1880.