Ernest Renshaw
James Ernest Renshaw ( born January 3, 1861 in Leamington Spa, England; † September 2, 1899 in Waltham St. Lawrence, England ) was a British tennis player. Together with his more successful twin brother William (1861-1904), he revolutionized late 19th century, the lawn tennis and won the 1888 men's singles of the Lawn Tennis Championships ( Wimbledon ). With William he also won five times in the local doubles final.
Life
Ernest Renshaw and his twin brother William were the sons of the flat spinner James Renshaw and his wife Ellen Knight. The father died before children were born in September 1860 and left the family a fortune of about 60000-70000 pounds. The brothers went to visit two years the Cheltenham College, which they left in July 1874.
The Renshaw brothers learned the sport of tennis traditionally on asphalt courts in a club of their hometown. 1880 both took part in the first Lawn Tennis Championships (formerly Port Down Rink ) were held at that time in Maida Vale. While William already eliminated in the second round, Ernest reached the third round. A year later, his brother won the final, the winning streak is expected to continue until 1886. Ernest reached the finals in 1882 and 1883 against him, which he lost in five sets each. 1887 Ernest denied the finals again, he still lost to a 2-1 set lead in five sets against Herbert Lawford. A year later he retaliated against Lawford smooth and won in three sets for the only time the male finals. 1889 Ernest lost in four sets the finals again against his brother William. Together the brothers from 1884 to 1886 and from 1888 to 1889, also won the competition in the men's doubles. In the mixed doubles Ernest played together with Charlotte Dod, the. Till today youngest winner of the Ladies Single Page in Wimbledon In addition, he won from 1887 to 1888 the Irish Championships in singles and together with his brother four times the double (1881, 1883-1885 ).
The brothers revolutionized in its active time technique and tactics in tennis. Unlike their competitors, they brought the game ball before touching the ground with volleys and smashes back ( " Renshaw smash "). At that time the net was attached to the sides higher than today, so that was to be less danger in a played volley from the center of the square with a Passierball of the excessive number of baseline players countered. The Renshaw's changed the kind of double game by a player positioned directly in front of the net. Through its financial reserves, it was William and Ernest also possible to train over the winter in Cannes, France.
In 1893, the brothers were the last time together at the Lawn Tennis Championships at - both should meet already in the first round, after which William gave up a start. Ernest lost the subsequent match. The audience went back to the resignation of the brothers, and many complained that the sport of tennis had lost some of its luster.
Both Ernest and his brother William ( † 1904) remained unmarried all his life. Ernest died in 1899 at the age of 38 years. He had taken carbolic acid in the diet. The judicial investigation remained but without proof, if he had done so intentionally or not. In memory of the brothers the All England Club was donated by relatives of the Renshaw Cup, which was awarded for a time as a trophy to the winners of Mr. Single Page of Wimbledon. 1983 found both induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.