Think of the grass court tennis season in England, and it is natural to think of Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, and a very ‘English’ tradition. Leamington’s role in that tradition, however, cannot be underestimated.
A background
Lawn Tennis originated from a desire to make the game more accessible. The original form of ‘tennis’ is now known as Real Tennis. Originally the palm of the hand was used to strike the ball, until later the hand was protected by use of a glove. The racket had yet to be introduced, first making an appearance around the early 16th century. Major Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera are credited with playing the first game of lawn tennis on Perera’s croquet lawn at his house in Edgbaston.
First lawn tennis club
After both Gem and Perrera moved to Leamington, they are credited with opening the first Lawn Tennis club in the world in 1872, along with Arthur Wellesley Tomkins and Frederick Haynes. The first site of this club was on Avenue Road, next to the Manor House Hotel. This was five years before Wimbledon would hold its first championship!
The Renshaw brothers
Leamington’s influence upon lawn tennis continued in the form of the Renshaw twins, William and Ernest. William won the Wimbledon singles championship seven times, a record that he still holds, shared with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, whilst his brother won the title once. To add to this they also paired up to win five doubles titles, and they contributed significantly to the rise in popularity of the sport, so much so that the 1880s became known as the ‘Renshaw Rush’. Although their time in Leamington was brief, a plaque marks the house where they were born, on Holly Walk.
Jephson Gardens tournament
Such was the popularity of tennis, The Annual Leamington Lawn Tennis Tournament was founded in 1881, and was played at Jephson Gardens until the Second World War. The tournament caught the imagination sufficiently that the courts were improved dramatically, much work going into them in 1889.
Leamington’s legacy
This year will see Roger Federer attempt to beat William Renshaw’s record and hold the record for number of Wimbledon singles titles outright. That so many millions will be focussed on his attempt is down, in no small part, to Leamington.
Comments
‘Real’ Tennis is actually ‘Royal’ Tennis, and goes back a very long way. Leamington is one of the few places to have a court, established in 1846, and still going. Their web site is full of information about the game:
http://www.leamingtonrealtennis.co.uk/
People were soon using Jephson Gardens for tennis, too. In June 1878 the committee decided that the “previous arrangements” were unsatisfactory, and a sub-committee was set up to make proper ones. They would provide the courts and nets, but players had to bring their own bats and balls. The fee was originally half that charged for archery for an hour’s play, but demand soon resulted in an equal charge. Experience soon forced the purchase of a line marker instead of tape. The following year the committee made an ill-judged attempt to confine tennis to the side of the lake, but pressure from the subscribers, including a letter to the press complaining of “two nets pitched in slovenly fashion in the lower part of the garden” rapidly forced a return to the Lawn (the upper part of the garden). It is first advertised in Beck’s Guide in 1880. In these early years of the game it is interesting to note the request in 1881 that male players play in shoes not boots, and the requirement from 1886 that tennis shoes be worn.
I have a recollection of a plaque, rather forlorn in the bottom of the hedge outside the old Hamilton Terrace police station, marking the site of Major Gem’s house.
Does anyone know if it’s still there?
It has been established that Gem and Perera founded their Leamington Club in 1874 not 1872 as previously thought.
Chris, Blue plaques to Gem and Perera were unveiled last month. Perera’s on his old home at 33 Avenue Road and on the building now occupying the site of Gem’s former home at 8 Hamilton Terrace.
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