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William ("Willie") Charles Renshaw (born January 3, 1861 in Leamington, Warwickshire – died August 12, 1904 in Swanage, Dorset) is one of the greatest British male tennis players of all time.
He won a total of fourteen Wimbledon titles. Seven of those were in singles, an all-time record he now shares with Pete Sampras. The first six were all in a row, an achievement which has also never been equalled unto this day (although the five successive wins of Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer are considered the 'modern' record because in Renshaw's time the reigning champion had automatic entry to the final. Since 1922 they have had to play in the main draw, making such feats considerably more difficult). The other seven were in doubles, partnering with his twin brother Ernest Renshaw. In 1983, Renshaw was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
[edit] Grand Slam singles finals
[edit] Wins (7)
| Year |
Championship |
Opponent in Final |
Score in Final |
| 1881 |
Wimbledon |
 John Hartley |
6–0, 6–1, 6–1 |
| 1882 |
Wimbledon (2) |
Ernest Renshaw |
6–1, 2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1883 |
Wimbledon (3) |
Ernest Renshaw |
2–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3 |
| 1884 |
Wimbledon (4) |
Herbert Lawford |
6–0, 6–4, 9–7 |
| 1885 |
Wimbledon (5) |
Herbert Lawford |
7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 |
| 1886 |
Wimbledon (6) |
Herbert Lawford |
6–0, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 1889 |
Wimbledon (7) |
Ernest Renshaw |
7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 |
[edit] Runner-ups (1)
[edit] Grand Slam record
- Singles champion: 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1889
- Singles finalist: 1890
- Doubles champion: 1880, 1881, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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