Maud Watson facts for kids
Maud Watson in 1884-5
|
|
| Full name | Maud Edith Eleanor Watson |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  United Kingdom |
| Born | 9 October 1864 Harrow, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 5 June 1946 (aged 81) Charmouth, Dorset, England |
| Retired | 1889 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Singles | |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Wimbledon | W (1884, 1885) |
Maud Edith Eleanor Watson, MBE, was a famous British tennis player. She made history as the very first woman to win the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Maud was born on October 9, 1864, and passed away on June 5, 1946.
Contents
Maud Watson's Early Life and Tennis Start
Maud was born in Harrow, England. Her father, Henry William, was a local church leader called a vicar. Maud learned to play tennis in her garden with her sister, Lillian. She found it easy because she already played another racket sport called squash.
When Maud was 16, she played her first big tennis match. This was at the Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club. She did very well! Maud won the singles competition by beating her sister Lillian in the final. She also won the doubles competition with Lillian as her partner.
Winning Wimbledon: A Tennis Champion Emerges
In 1884, Maud Watson played in the Irish Lawn Tennis Championships. She beat the current Irish champion, May Langrishe, in a great match. Maud also won the mixed doubles title with famous tennis player William Renshaw.
Later that year, 19-year-old Maud made history at Wimbledon. She won the first-ever Ladies' Singles title! Thirteen players competed, and Maud wore white corsets and petticoats while playing. In the final, she again played against her sister Lillian. Maud won the match and received a silver flower basket worth 20 guineas. This was a lot of money back then!
Continued Success and Challenges
The year 1885 was amazing for Maud Watson. She won every singles match she played and only lost one set all year. She won Wimbledon again in 1885. Only 10 players entered that year. Maud easily won her quarter-finals and semi-finals. In the final, she beat Blanche Bingley.
Maud also successfully defended her title at the 1885 Irish Championships. She played against Louise Martin. After a close first two sets, Maud won the final set. In 1886, a new rule called the Challenge Round was added for women. This time, Blanche Bingley beat Maud in the final to win the title.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1887 and 1888, Maud had trouble with a sprained wrist. This injury made it harder for her to play. Her last competition was in June 1889 at the Edgbaston tournament. She entered three events and won all of them!
While on holiday, Maud had a scary experience. She almost drowned while swimming off the coast of Jersey. She was rescued but became ill and took several years to fully recover.
During the First World War, Maud Watson worked as a nurse. For her hard work, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Maud Watson never married. She passed away on June 5, 1946, at the age of 81, in Charmouth.
Grand Slam Finals: Maud's Big Wins
Maud Watson played in three Wimbledon finals. Here's a look at her results:
Singles Finals (2 Wins, 1 Loss)
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1884 | Wimbledon | Grass |  Lillian Watson |
6–8, 6–3, 6–3 |
| Win | 1885 | Wimbledon | Grass | Blanche Bingley |
6–1, 7–5 |
| Loss | 1886 | Wimbledon | Grass | Blanche Bingley |
3–6, 3–6 |
