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Laurence Doherty
Hugh Lawrence Doherty.jpg
Full name Hugh Laurence Doherty
Country (sports)  United Kingdom
Born (1875-10-08)8 October 1875
Wimbledon, England
Died 21 August 1919(1919-08-21) (aged 43)
Broadstairs, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Turned pro 1893 (amateur)
Retired 1910
Plays Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF 1980 (member page)
Singles
Career record 293–38 (88.5%)
Career titles 51
Highest ranking No. 1 (1898, ITHF)
Grand Slam singles results
Wimbledon W (1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906)
US Open W (1903)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Wimbledon W (1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905)
US Open W (1902, 1903)
Team competitions
Davis Cup W (1903, 1904, 1905, 1906)
Medal record
Olympic Games – Tennis
Gold 1900 Paris Singles
Gold 1900 Paris Doubles
Representing a Olympic flag.svg Mixed team
Bronze 1900 Paris Mixed doubles
Hugh Laurence Doherty
Laurence Doherty

Hugh Laurence Doherty (8 October 1875 – 21 August 1919) was a British tennis player and the younger brother of tennis player Reginald Doherty. He was a six-time Grand Slam champion and a double Olympic Gold medalist at the 1900 Summer Olympics in singles and doubles (also winning a Bronze in mixed doubles). In 1903 he became the first non-American player to win the U.S. National Championships.

Early life

Doherty Brothers
Laurence Doherty (right) with his brother Reginald

Doherty was born on 8 October 1875 at Beulah Villa in Wimbledon, Surrey, the youngest son of William Doherty, a printer, and his wife, Catherine Ann Davis. Doherty was the shorter of the two brothers, at 1.78 m, who played championship tennis in their native England and at Wimbledon at the turn of the century.

Like his brother he was educated at Westminster School from 1890 to 1894 followed by Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he played for and became President of the Cambridge University Lawn Tennis Club. He gained his blues in 1896, 1897, and 1898. In 1892 Doherty won the Renshaw cup, the All-England Championships singles title for boys under 16 which was held in Scarborough.

In addition to lawn tennis he also played real tennis and golf.

Career

The brothers were reportedly urged to play tennis by their father, for health reasons. Known as "Little Do", Doherty won Wimbledon five consecutive times in singles and eight times in doubles with his brother. In 1903, he became the first tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament outside of his native country by beating defending champion William Larned in three straight sets in the final of the US Championships in Newport. He won the singles title at the British Covered Court Championships, played at the Queen's Club in London, six consecutive times between 1901 and 1906. Additionally he won the singles title at The South of France Championships in Nice seven times in a row (1900–1906).

Doherty won the singles event of the tennis competition at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. Gold medals were not given at the 1900 Games. In the semifinal he was scheduled to play against his brother but Reggie withdrew, since the brothers refused to play each other before the final. In the final Doherty defeated Harold Mahony in three straight sets. Doherty also won the doubles title at the 1900 Olympic Games with his brother. In the mixed doubles event he partnered with Marion Jones, the winner of the singles title at the 1899 U.S. Championships, and lost in the semifinal against his brother who had teamed up with Charlotte Cooper.

Between 1902 and 1906 Doherty played for the British Davis Cup team and was undefeated during this period. In 1902 he partnered his brother to win the doubles match in the challenge round against the United States but the latter retained the Cup after a 3–2 victory. In 1903 Doherty won both his singles matches as well as the doubles match to help the British Isles to their first Davis Cup victory. In 1904, 1905 and 1906 he was part of the British team that successfully defended the Cup.

The brothers co-wrote R.F. and H.L. Doherty on Lawn Tennis (1903).

He gave up tennis for golf in 1906 and distinguished himself in that sport as well. In 1908 Doherty reached the last 16 of the British amateur championship at the Royal St George's course.

In 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, Doherty joined the Anti-Aircraft branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve but was released in 1915 due to ill health.

Doherty died of toxemia on 21 August 1919 at Leon Cottage in Broadstairs, Kent after having tubercular nephritis and cystitis for two years. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980 together with his brother.

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 8 (6 titles, 2 runner-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1898 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty 6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1
Win 1902 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Arthur Gore 6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 6–0
Win 1903 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Frank Riseley 7–5, 6–3, 6–0
Win 1903 U.S. National Championships Grass United States William Larned 6–0, 6–3, 10–8
Win 1904 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Frank Riseley 6–1, 7–5, 8–6
Loss 1904 U.S. National Championships Grass United States Holcombe Ward w/o
Win 1905 Wimbledon Grass New Zealand Norman Brookes 8–6, 6–2, 6–4
Win 1906 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Frank Riseley 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3

Doubles: 12 (10 titles, 2 runners-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1897 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Herbert Baddeley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Wilfred Baddeley
6–4, 4–6, 8–6, 6–4
Win 1898 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United States Clarence Hobart
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Harold Nisbet
6–4, 6–4, 6–2
Win 1899 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United States Clarence Hobart
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Harold Nisbet
7–5, 6–0, 6–2
Win 1900 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Herbert Roper Barrett
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Harold Nisbet
9–7, 7–5, 4–6, 3–6, 6–3
Win 1901 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United States Dwight Davis
United States Holcombe Ward
4–6, 6–2, 6–3, 9–7
Loss 1902 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom Frank Riseley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sydney Smith
6–4, 6–8, 3–6, 6–4, 9–11
Win 1902 U.S. National Championships Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United States Dwight Davis
United States Holcombe Ward
11–9, 12–10, 6–4
Win 1903 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom Frank Riseley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sydney Smith
6–4, 6–4, 6–4
Win 1903 U.S. National Championships Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United States Kreigh Collins
United States L. Harry Waidner
7–5, 6–3, 6–3
Win 1904 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom Frank Riseley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sydney Smith
6–1, 6–2, 6–4
Win 1905 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom Frank Riseley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sydney Smith
6–2, 6–4, 6–8, 6–3
Loss 1906 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty United Kingdom Frank Riseley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sydney Smith
8–6, 4–6, 7–5, 3–6, 3–6

Singles titles

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
1. 16 August 1896 Essex Championship, Colchester, England Grass United Kingdom Edward Roy Allen 6–4, 6–2, 7–5
2. 27 September 1896 Welsh Covered Court Championships, Llandudno, Wales Wood (i) United Kingdom George Simond 6–0, 6–0
3. 27 August 1897 Suffolk Championships, Saxmundham, England Grass United Kingdom Charles Henry Ridding 6–3, 8–6, 4–6, 6–1
4. 18 July 1897 Queen's Club Championships, London, England Grass United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
5. March 1898 South of France Championships Clay United Kingdom J.R. Hay Gordon 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
6. March 1898 Monte Carlo Clay Germany Count Voss 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–0 ret.
7. 18 June 1898 Northern Lawn Tennis Association Tournament, Liverpool Grass United Kingdom Wilfred Baddeley walkover
8. 11 July 1898 Queen's Club Championships, London, England Grass United Kingdom Harold Mahony 6–3, 6–4, 9–7
9. August 1898 Scottish Championships Grass United Kingdom Reginald Doherty walkover
10. March 1900 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Reginald Doherty walkover
11. 11 July 1900 Olympic Games, Paris Clay United Kingdom Harold Mahony 6–4, 6–2, 6–3
12. 26 August 1900 The Homburg Cup, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany Clay United Kingdom George Hillyard 7–5, 6–2, 3–6, 4–6, 6–2
13. September 1900 Dinard, France Clay United Kingdom Harold Mahony 4–6, 6–1, 8–6, 7–5
14. 16 September 1900 South of England Championships Grass United Kingdom Sidney Smith 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–1
15. March 1901 Cannes, France Clay United Kingdom George Hillyard 6–3, 6–3, ret.
16. 17 March 1901 Monte Carlo Clay United Kingdom Wilberforce Eaves 6–2, 5–7, 6–1
17. 24 March 1901 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Wilberforce Eaves 6–2, 6–3, 6–2
18. 27 April 1901 British Covered Court Championships Wood (i) United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6–3, 6–1, 6–1
19. June 1901 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England Grass United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6–1, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
20. August 1901 Buxton Championships Grass United Kingdom George Hillyard 6–4, 7–5, 3–6, 6–2
21. August 1901 North of England Championships, Scarborough Grass United Kingdom Ernest Black 6–2, 6–1, 6–1
22. March 1902 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Reginald Doherty walkover
23. April 1902 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–4, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3
24. May – June 1902 Irish Championships, Dublin Grass United Kingdom Reginald Doherty walkover
25. 15 June 1902 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England Grass France George Simond 6–4, 6–0, 6–3
26. June 1902 Wimbledon Championships Grass United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 6–0
27. 15 October 1902 European Championships, Queen's Club, London Wood (i) United Kingdom Harold Mahony 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–1
28. 15 March 1903 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Sidney Smith 5–7, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
29. 26 April 1903 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood (i) United Kingdom George Hillyard 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
30. 4 July 1903 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England Grass United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
31. June 1903 Wimbledon Championships Grass United Kingdom Frank Riseley 7–5, 6–3, 6–0
32. 1 August 1903 Nahant, USA Grass United States William Clothier 6–4, 6–0
33. 14 August 1903 Southampton, USA Grass United States Bill Larned 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
34. 27 August 1903 US National Championships, Newport, USA Grass United States Bill Larned 6–0, 6–3, 10–8
35. 14 March 1904 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
36. 20 March 1904 Cannes Championships, France Clay United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–1, 6–4, 6–1
37. April 1904 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood (i) United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–2, 8–10, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3
38. 27 June 1904 Wimbledon Championships Grass United Kingdom Frank Riseley 6–1, 7–5, 8–6
39. July 1904 Northumberland Championships, England Wood (i) United Kingdom George Ball-Greene 6–4, 6–1
40. March 1905 Monte Carlo Clay United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–4, 8–6, 6–4
41. March 1905 South of France Championships, Nice Clay United Kingdom Edward Allen 6–3, 7–5, 7–5
42. 15 April 1905 British Covered Court Championships, London Wood (i) United Kingdom Major Ritchie 6–1, 8–6, 6–2
43. July 1905 Wimbledon Championships Grass Australia Norman Brookes 8–6, 6–2, 6–4
44. 28 February 1906 Monte Carlo Clay United Kingdom Wilberforce Eaves 6–3, 11–9
45. 18 March 1906 South of France Championships, Nice Clay New Zealand Anthony Wilding 6–3, 8–6, 6–2
46. 28 April 1906 British Covered Court Championships, London Wood (i) United Kingdom Arthur Gore 6–2, 6–4, 8–6
47. July 1906 Wimbledon Championships Grass United Kingdom Frank Riseley 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
48. August 1908 Yorkshire Championships Grass United Kingdom George Hillyard 6–1, 6–4, 6–2
49. July 1909 Nottinghamshire Championships, Nottingham Grass United Kingdom Wilberforce Eaves 6–3, 6–4
50. August 1909 North of England Championships, Scarborough Grass United Kingdom Gordon Lowe 7–5, 6–1, 6–1
51. August 1910 North of England Championships, Scarborough Grass United Kingdom Gordon Lowe 6–3, 6–2, 6–2
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