Lost Australian Trophies re-emerge from Jack Crawfords past

Posted on May 21, 2014 by rod

Owing to the success of Australian Player, Jack Crawford many famous trophies went missing, whereabouts unknown.

Jack won the Junior Australian Championships in the mid 1920’s three times running and that forced the retirement of that trophy. He then proceeded to win the Australian Mens Championship in 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1935. The three straight wins retired the original Australasian Championship trophy originally donated by Slazenger and brought back to Australia by the 1905 Davis Cup Team for the first championship later that year.

After Jack had taken this into his possession it was replaced by the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup which will never be won outright. In his later years, Jack was not in a sound financial state and so many of his International and domestic trophies were sold. The story goes that Jack took the Australasian trophy to a Sydney based jeweler to melt down for the value of the silver sometime in the 1980’s along with some other prized trophies including the Wimbledon Renshaw Cup, numerous Davis Cups and the Australian Men’s singles trophy for 1931 to name a few. Sadly, these trophies disappeared off the radar. That was until late last year when the Albury Museum negotiated their donation from the jewelers family who were keen to honour the region in which Jack was born and developed as a junior player. So now, Australian Tennis has the full historic record of the complete span of the Men’s Singles event on the two perpetual trophies.

Amazingly, if you did a google search of the Wimbledon Gents Trophy, you would find this one to be almost a replica and was stated as such in newspaper articles explaining that Slazenger had donated such a trophy for our inaugural event.

In addition to having ones name inscribed on the Slazenger Cup, the winner would also receive two other trophies or medals.

The main cup was called the SUN CHALLENGE CUP and the secondary prize was the Anthony Wilding Memorial gold medal in the 1920’s which switched to a green lead trophy in the 1930’s (see below).

Fellow collector, Tom Paton with the 1935 Anthony Wilding memorial trophy and the Australian Junior Cup won outright by Jack in 1926, 1927,1928,1929. Special thanks to the Albury Museum who acquired quite an array of Jacks lost trophies late last year.

Early Tennis Movie Clips

Posted on April 9, 2011 by admin

Thanks to a relatively unknown newsreel production company called British Pathe who have converted their library to an online preview site, we can now link you to movie footage of some of Australia’s historic tennis events. Please note that there is a search engine and you can buy clips or still frames for personal use at quite reasonable prices compared to other sources.

If you spend some time searching tennis you will find plenty of clips featuring Suzanne Lenglen, Bill Tilden and many others….there are many other Australian clips also!

In addition to www.britishpathe.com also review the US equivalent http://www.criticalpast.com/

Then if you are into other sports or interests you will be amazed at what has been preserved.

TENNIS TRIFLES manufacture of tennis racquets 1930’s
excellent look at what was occurring throughout the world.

Making Tennis Racquets

https://youtu.be/d1xiy3wv_UI

Making Tennis Balls

https://youtu.be/VlJ_T6kviaA

CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA (NO. 9)
Precursor to the Donnisthorpe Streamline this modern looking
racquet looks similar to the Kovacs Model – Adreef Speedshaft

https://youtu.be/NAEk0E0JbVU

DUNLOP SPORTS SHOES – WATCH THEM MADE AT LIVERPOOL

1930’s look at tennis shoe production in the UK

https://youtu.be/usVLR1aBTQs

THE TENNIS MACHINE ( aka RENE LACOSTE ) 1929

https://youtu.be/gsSOrUU_eNU

NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS JOHN BROMWICH IN ACTION

https://youtu.be/nSSvsCh2E4U

WIMBLEDON 1961
with Slazenger ball making, notice the difference
to the 1930’s & tennis ball kid training

https://youtu.be/jYCIkIyAYk4

IRELAND V AUSTRALIA
Crawford, Gar Moon, Hopman & Willard (silent)

https://youtu.be/xY4KzoUtCk4

1933 Don Turnbull and Quist lose the doubles (Alexander flat tops)

https://youtu.be/NKEO7cJKKMI

1939 Davis Cup Team Sails to Victory in the USA

https://youtu.be/OWyiuyzan9g

BRITAIN IS PROUD OF YOU!
Perry beats Crawford 1933 and prevents the first Grand Slam which
is eventually won by Budge in 1938

https://youtu.be/TaLfWe0Wn-A

A TENNIS BATTLE ROYAL
Crawford defeats Vines 1934

https://youtu.be/u0RMmJX8SDQ

CRAWFORD v PERRY 1934 UK Sydney

https://youtu.be/RtXx9ExOOzQ

WELL PLAYED – SIR Perry Beats Crawford at Kooyong 1934

https://youtu.be/NV-i8fRvSOc

A COMING CHAMPION

Viv McGrath with his amazing double handed backhand defeats
Wimbledon Champion Fred Perry, a major surprise, again.
VIv shows his unique (world first elite player) to use double
handed backhand.

https://youtu.be/T4EG5f1WWBw

VICTORIAN LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 1938 Budge / Bromwich

https://youtu.be/t-KLx3epb28

AUSTRALIA’S DAVIS CUP PROBABLES 1946
see Crawford, Pails and Bromwich tennis styles.
Bromich served right handed, left hand forehand, double
handed backhand, right handed shots in recovery as well.

https://youtu.be/t-KLx3epb28

ONE LEGGED MAN FROM SYDNEY PLAYS TENNIS 1937

Various shots of John Paulin a one legged tennis player as
he plays a match. Paulin has a crutch under one arm and
moves around the court fast and freely. He even jumps over
the net at the end of the match. Anyone know of John or family?

https://youtu.be/ztllMIZXc0o

TENNIS IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 1945

Excellent shots of Jack Crawford’s style with Viv McGrath, Dinny Pails
& Bitzy Grant in some exhibition matches.

https://youtu.be/gQDisyjDEiY

WIMBLEDON TENNIS STARS IN FINAL
Good shots of Geoff Brown 1946 serving right hand, with
double handed backhand off the right hand side and left hand
forehand. Just like John Bromwich. Also Dinny Pails

https://youtu.be/eveHQ6JVt2Y

AUSTRALIA WINS DAVIS CUP
Bromwich & Sedgman v USA 1950

https://youtu.be/8Q_VhHOadPE

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS FINALS 1950 Sedgman Bromwich

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=30656

BROMWICH DEFEATS PAILS IN ADELAIDE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1946

https://youtu.be/DNPuJzwy6-o

SEDGMAN FIRST AUSSIE TO WIN US SINGLES 1951

https://youtu.be/OJCJr-MVsC0

TRIUMPH FOR ROSE AND HARTWIG 1953 USA DOUBLES

(aka AUSTRALIA WINS DOUBLES)

https://youtu.be/zWUetY58AqI

AUSTRALIA RETAINS DAVIS CUP
Sedgman and McGregor in the 1952/53 Davis Cup Australia

https://youtu.be/g3hJJlSq44E

TENNIS STARS OF TOMORROW
Harry Hopman Training some Queensland stars (were you there?)

https://youtu.be/VHliobdjbQ8

SPORT – MEN’S AND LADIES SINGLES
FINALS AT WIMBLEDON 1957
Sorry for the memories Ashley, but Lew was on fire!!!

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=34533

HOAD’S FIRST PROFESSIONAL MATCH USA 1957
versus Frank Sedgman as part of Jack Kramers Tour

https://youtu.be/I8x-yEjgb6U

NSW DOUBLES TITLE HOAD & ROSEWALL V ROSE & CANDY

https://youtu.be/eZuHFIljKzQ

WIMBLEDON FINALS 1960
Neale Fraser defeats Rod Laver

https://youtu.be/Pp2LJf0BNqA

AUSSIES HOLD DAVIS CUP
Neale Fraser and Roy Emerson v Italy 1961

https://youtu.be/gSLk_Qrnnp8

U.S. TENNIS NATIONAL TENNIS FINALS 1962
Margaret Smith v Darlene Hard & Rod Laver (FOR GRAND SLAM) v Roy Emerson

https://youtu.be/GBclf39hFmU

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675071412_tennis-match_Rod-Laver_Margaret-Court_National-Singles-Championship

WIMBLEDON FINALS 1968 (first Open major)
Laver v Roche, Aussie Doubles Finals and Julie Teggart v
Billie Jean King (begins at the after finals ball)

https://youtu.be/jiAhfC-twMw

https://youtu.be/FsFkU4P00Ck

TENNIS “GREATS”

1952 doc about Wimbledon from 1900’s not long.
Early 1900’s clips, Suzanne Lenglen, French musketeers,Tilden, Wood, Budge, Elsworth Vines,
Fred Perry, Jack Crawford, John Browich post ww2 Jack Kramer, Dick Savitt, Frank Sedgman, Gussey Moran, Maureen Connolly

https://youtu.be/t8eEfjxDeHM

Collecting Tennis Tournament Tickets

Posted on March 23, 2011 by rod

Tennis Programmes are excellent tennis collectibles and especially when signed by players who not only attend the event but won the event. To these we can add tennis tickets and event menus and other autograph cards which players signed fro each other or dignitaries attending major functions. The programmes provide valuable stories and event history along with player profiles and draw information. Some have hand written results which is also a nice connection to someone who loved the game as much as we do today.

Obviously, the major events create the most interest with Wimbledon at the top, Davis Cup matches involving Australia, the Australian Open, various state championship events and then the professional tours by Jack Kramer and a host of Aussies who left the amateur ranks to earn an income in the pre 1968 Open era.

These pictures are tickets belonging to an Australian tennis fan W. Riddell who we assume attended the 1888 Wimbledon Championships.

As an administrator with the MCC and an Interstate colonial player, we can only assume he helped foster discussions about players in the colonies taking on some of the English cracks and may well have caught up with players such as W.V Eaves and Robert Scott ( see relevant sections)

A remarkable find. The Wimbledon museum only have 1890’s tickets so these are indeed rare also. Held by State Library of Victoria.

Tennis Books and Event Programmes

Posted on January 8, 2011 by admin

Throughout the site we mention a couple of books worth buying if you can find them. We also have some other books for sale under the “FOR SALE” section. These two excellent books are:-

Jeanne Cherry’s “Book of Antiques & Collectibles” by Amaryllis Press 1995 ISBN 0-9646571-0-4

A fabulous introduction to all things tennis- racquets, clothing, balls, art etc. 185+ pages

Siegfried Kuebler’s “Book of Tennis Rackets” by Kuebler GmbH ISBN 3-9802903-9-5 English edition. Racket history, manufacturer histories and brand names from early days to late 1990’s. Comprehensive effort with plenty of photos, 600+ pages. Also, a 2010 update has now been launched in very limited numbers.

We are also pleased to support Australian tennis authors and you will find some titles FOR SALE under that section.

Gianni Clerici “The Ultimate Tennis Book” by Follett Publishing ISBN 0-695-80559-2 1975 English edition.

Also published in Great Britain under the title “Tennis”
A very good book about the history of tennis from the 1500 hundreds, to the modern game. Excellent. 300+ pages

Recently, Wimbledon Society Museum Press has reproduced the 1874 ” The Game of Sphairistike or Lawn Tennis” by patent recipient and original game promoter Major Walter Wingfield. Only 38 pages but a true piece of tennis history. Available currently from Angus and Robertson in Australia on request. ISBN 9781904332817

In relation to Australian Tennis, there have been many books written, perhaps more consistently around the 1950’s era and into the 1960’s. Most of these related to books by players, however some excellent books have been produced by Alan Trengove and Jack Pollard.

There have also been some excellent Club books and State Association books some old and some newish.

Here are some good ones to look for:

General Australian Tennis or State History Books

Lawn Tennis in Australasia by “Austral” (of the Referee) R.M.Kidston 1912

This Australian book produced in 1912 was the first one we know of that covers the History of Tennis in Australia, written by an Australian sporting journalist and top player R M Kidston (NSW), from the beginnings to 1912. It includes all manner of information about players, techniques, The Davis Cup and in particular Norman Brookes’ efforts during Cup play and at Wimbledon. Kidston (see pic) went on to publish the Australasian Lawn Tennis publication and contributed to many other variations. Even more interesting are the early results for the interstate and state championships.

An Illustrated History of Australian Tennis R.S.Whitington 1975

Australia’s Wimbledon Champions by Allan Kendall 1995 (nephew of Jack Crawford now in his late 80’s)

Tennis The Greats 1920’s -1960’s by Adrian Quist & Jack Egan (an ABC TV book c1984)

Lawn Tennis the Australian Way by Jack Pollard 1963 reprinted updated 1971

Game, Set and Glory by Bruce Matthews 1985

Australia and the Davis Cup by Alan Trengove 2000

The Story of the Davis Cup by Alan Trengove 1985 Excellent statistics

A Century Of Queensland Tennis 1988 by Sunshine Publishing for the QLTA

Tennis West (History of Tennis in West Australia) by Harry Phillips

Country Cracks, The story of NSW Country Tennis: Ron McLean

History of Tennis: 100 Years of Tennis in Wagga Wagga & Districts 1889-1989 by Jim Elphick

Australian Lawn Tennis Magazines

This list will be adjusted overtime as greater research is undertaken.

Australasian Lawn Tennis magazine 1923 (Copies held MCC LIbrary)

Was designed to become the mouthpiece for the all state associations and the National Body. The articles represent stories about interstate and country tennis plus reports from play in the Davis Cup and overseas.

The company as floated Australasian Lawn Tennis Publications Limited with rights taken over from Australasian Publications including the rights to a publication by R.M.Kidston called the Australasian Lawn Tennis Annual (pre 1920)

An excellent source of player information, coaching, competition play, visiting internationals and product ads.

Photo quality very average. 1923 black & white. Post float enhanced covers and some full colour advertising.

From the State Library of Victoria

All Tennis – Atlas Press 1926-28 (evolved to below)

All Tennis & Australian Golf – Farrow Falcon Press 1928-1930

Tennis & Golf – Farrow Falcon Press 1930-1932

The Australian Golf and Tennis Magazine -Farrow Falcon Press 1932-1937

Australian Lawn Tennis & Badminton 1939

Australian Tennis – Tech Ad Publishing NSW 1949 -1954

Victorian Tennis News- 1954+ South Yarra

Australian Tennis – Nicholson Media Group 1993+ (now sold to Tennis Australia)

Some excellent Club Histories

Kooyong LTAV “A Serve to Authority” Richard Yallop (includes the Australian Open until it moved to Melbourne Park in 1988) 1992

Royal South Yarra Tennis Club also by Richard Yallop 1984

The Sweet Spot (Geelong Tennis Club) By Graeme Kinross Smith 1982

Amazing Grace (History of Grace Park Tennis Club) by Joseph Johnson and researched by Clive Oliver 1989

Australian Open

Our Open 2004 (an excellent compilation of ex player stories about the Tournament with results from over the years). The 100 years of official results is also good for researching but you can find results for all grand slams under our links page.

Player Books

Crowded Galleries by Dame Mabel Brookes (wife of Norman & with tennis chapters by him) so an exellent insight into the period when he won Wimbledon and the Davis Cup with Anthony Wilding. Also includes Norman’s top ten list as viewed by him from the mid 1950’s. 1956

My Game by Lew Hoad 1958

Winning Tennis by Frank Sedgman 1955

Rosewall 20 years at the top by Peter Rowley 1976

Aces and Places by Harry Hopman 1957

The Margaret Smith Story 1967 by Margaret Smith as told to Don Lawrence

Home The Evonne Goolagong Story by Evonne and Phil Jarrat 1993

Overseas Books

I am not trying to list everything here but books which contain a good commentary on Australian players.

The Game My 40 Years in Tennis by Jack Kramer with Frank Deford 1981

The Bud Collins History of Tennis Encyclopaedia and Record Book

The Fireside Book of Tennis by Allison Danzig and Peter Schwed 1972

Anything written by A Wallis Myers usually contains some excellent stories and photos about Norman Brookes and Anthony Wilding in the 1905-1919 era.

Some Australians wrote books or contributed to titles.

Edward Dewhurst, W.V.Eaves, Stanley Doust, Anthony Wilding (NZ)

In Wallis Myers book Tennis At Home and Abroad 1903, Australian Les Poidevin does give readers an insight into the development and news about tennis in Australia. Note this copy is signed by the author a rare inclusion.

Competition Programmes & Tickets

A great source of information and photos comes from collecting programmes which can often be signed. While some collect for clean versions without writing, I prefer to find programmes where the owners have written the results in to help present the unfolding of the tournament. Another tip is to get the programme one year ahead of a particular result you were aiming for since the story of last years tournament will be presented in some form along with photos, previous results, history of event etc.

Programmes were produced for all major tournament, Davis Cup and professional events. We have even found the first 1885 1890 intercolonial NSW v VIC tennis tournaments (See early tournaments for more examples)

Interesting Tennis Memorabilia

Posted on January 8, 2011 by admin

The tennis theme can be found across many product categories and of course autographs are highly sought after. There are so many items with tennis themes and here are some examples.

Wonderful Tennis Ball cleaner called “Kleenball” c 1905. Two identical halves twist together around the ball to remove dirt.

Another larger model includes cavities carrying white chalk to bring the whiteness back.
The balls were smaller then and modern balls don’t fit.

Circa 1960’s or maybe 1970’s, Ken Rosewall signature tennis shoes

In 1957, Queen Elizabeth attended Wimbledon for the first time as patron and to commemorate this historic occasion the AELTC produced and presented only 12, or at most 19 to the organising committee members and lawn tennis association representatives. The ball as you can see is very real and true to size. A beautiful memento engraved with the message

“To mark the visit of her Majesty the Queen”. Very rare and one is held by the Wimbledon Museum.

Tennis cigarette cases were a popular item also as trophies and awards. This example was awarded to an umpire at Wimbledon in 1912. A great year with Anthony Wilding winning his 3rd of 4 Singles Titles in a row.

Other examples of umpire awards are these letter opener and tape measure (Wimbledon 1904 & 1914)

This wonderful plate was made in the UK circa 1891-1907 by Wood & Son. The design shows a young lass with three gents with the tag line “Love All” which undoubtedly carries the double entendre. A lovely piece depicting the fashion of the day.

A very nice 1900’s tennis bowl with an Australian theme.

One of 4000 made by Royal Worcester to celebrate Wimbledon.

Only 1977 100 Years of Wimbledon plates were made by Spode.

A quite tiny 40mm copper trinket by Halcyon Enamels, this practice has been undertaken since the 1740’s. The collector piece honours the 100 years of the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain 1888-1988. A very famous tennis image used on a variety of different items over the years.

This photo album is quite lovely due to the vibrant colours and if you were looking at storing old tennis photos or postcards you can’t really go past this.

Some famous Autographs which come up regularly. Obviously many are genuine but you are generally buying on a leap of faith so just don’t go buying one for hundreds of dollars. Signatures on photos are more desirable than normal unless, like some below, they are together marking an important occasion.

Quite a nice Davis Cup Challenge paddle racquet from 1962, played in Brisbane between Australia and Mexico (5-0). Here we have Neale Fraser, Ken Fletcher, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Cliff Sproule and key Mexican players and 3 year US Open Doubles grand finalists, Rafael Osuna and Antonio Palafox with the third member of the squad, veteran Mario Llamas. The final signature belongs to the Mexican Davis Cup Captain, Francisco “Pancho” Contreras. This was Rod Laver’s Grand Slam year and in the next weeks he became a professional which precluded him from the Davis Cup team until 1973. The page above comes from the same 1962 event at the Davis Cup Dinner where some other famous players attended.

Cigarette Cards & other cards.

These cards were collected from cigarette packs from the early 1900’s to late 30’s. Of course other cards have been produced since, but these sets include some of the great players in the 1920’s and 1930’s.These are John Player cards c 1938. Australians are well represented. Joan Hartigan, Jack Crawford, Adrian Quist, Harry Hopman,Viv McGrath

This is a piece of factory memorabilia ex Slazenger UK. Somewhere on the production line hanging on a nail this decal display board probably reminded workers of the selections required. On the reverse are Cricket bat decals.

Tennis Racquet & Ball Store Displays and Selling Aids

The tennis ball tubes commemorate some famous player inclusion into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame

Signed Tennis balls are a little more interesting than pieces of paper on display L to R Connors, Newcombe, McEnroe, Borg

Signed large tennis ball in a lovely display.

Vintage tennis balls are even more valuable with well preserved boxes & wrappings.

This very intricate teaspoon design comes from the USA c1890’s. It is sterling silver and if you look at the tennis set and racquet it seems to be the Wingfield style launched in 1874. Simply a lovely piece rarely seen.A good luck tennis broach featuring the old style racquets and net shapes age circa 1920’s.

A quite stunning desk tidy. Similar styled dinner gongs also exist. This sold for UK 400 pounds.

This small bottle of scotch is a novelty product circa 1980’s. The ball is smaller than a real tennis ball but has a felt finish. It is a plastic cover that clips over a small glass bottle and was part of a series which included a golf ball.

This fob style vesta carried matches. On the piece is also an area to strike the match. You can see the the loops which might attach the item to a fob chain. Both were made of silver, with hall marks.

This is a cigar cutter approx 2″ long and was used on a fob similar to a watch.

Above, is a tennis themed cigarette lighter and ash tray.

A very nice tennis themed napkin holder. No makers mark so estimates of age are circa 1910. They are silver plate and well made.

This is a 12″ Slazenger Fred Perry brush in the shape of a racquet. Note that around the mid 1930’s Alexander also produced a mirror in these proportions. There was enormous rivalry between Slazenger and Alexander at this time. The Fred Perry all white model was created in Australia to create some public impact when he pulled it from his tennis bag for the very first time.

Tennis Trophies and Medals

Posted on April 27, 2010 by rod

Apart from the sheer history and possibly the value of silver, there are many collectors who look for tennis trophies. These comprise both tournament wins and participation mementos such as those given to Davis Cup players.

This section contains a myriad of tennis “awards” such as trophy racquets and cups. While predominantly lawn tennis we have included some elements from Royal Tennis which commenced in Australia when the first court and UK tennis professional arrived in 1875 at Hobart, Tasmania.

These racquets were awarded to the first Royal Tennis club champion in 1876 & 1877. They are both in the collection held by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum who kindly gave us permission to use these shots. You will note the elaborate work on the second racquet and this practice moved to Lawn Tennis as well.

Both of these racquets were the traditional lopsided design first used also in Lawn Tennis.

The trophy above comes from 1880 and must be one of the earliest tennis trophies in existence today. The event was conducted by the Geelong Recreation Club and titled the Lawn Tennis Challenge Cup. Players from Melbourne’s Cricket Club (MCC) traveled down to win both of the 1880 bi-annual tournaments. Francis Highett, won this trophy in October 1880 (the second winner) and again in 1881. This must have entitled him to keep the trophy for their are no other names other than his and the first winner W. Officer. Francis went onto win the second Victorian Championships a few weeks later which, in actual fact could well be considered the first Australian Tennis Tournament widely advertised event to players in all of the colonies. Thanks to the Highett family for contacting Tennis History and for taking such good care of the trophy for all these years. Note the racquets are tilt top styles of the very early game.

Above is a beautiful 3D silver plate produced in Sydney by Elkington & Co. for the 1892 Strathfield Lawn Tennis Challenge. This tournament was the preeminent grass court event in Australia and was keenly contested. The winner we presume was Dudley Webb who won the NSW Championships a few times in this era. Tennis Australia now own this plate and to see it on display will be a treat.

Prior to the Australasian Championships which commenced in 1905, the Colonial State Championships linked to Intercolonial events were the preeminent tournaments. This particular trophy was won by Alf Dunlop and Stanley Diddams three times in a row from1895-1897 permitting them to retain, or retire the trophy into their possession. In total, Alf won the Doubles 5 times with Diddams and twice with Norman Brookes and Rodney Heath. He won the singles twice also. In relation to major events, Alf went on to play Davis Cup in 1905 as Australasian captain, 1911 and 1912. He won the Australasian Doubles in 1908 with USA Davis Cup foe F.B. Alexander. Other notable names on this trophy are Ben Green who was one of the Victoria’s great singles /doubles players of this era. See Intercolonial tennis for more stories.

Over in the USA in 1903, 1904, 1905 Australian Edward Bury Dewhurst was studying to become a dentist, but also played tennis for the University of Pennsylvania. He won many prestigious events and this is one his trophies from 1904.

This medal is from Wimbledon 1919. How many of you of heard of these great Australian players? Not many, but the story is as good as any which could be told by Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.

You can read more about Randolph Lycett under his own profile article. Rodney Heath won the very first Australian Championships in 1905.

In 1905 the UK Slazenger company donated the “Slazenger Cup” to become the major trophy for the inaugural Australian Open to be held in 1905. According to the 1933 Australian Championship programme, the winner of the men’s singles was to receive ” The Anthony Wilding Memorial medal and a replica of the “The Sun Challenge cup”. The winner of this event will have the right to hold for one year the Cup presented by the “The Sun” Newspaper Co., which shall become the property of any player winning it three times in succession , or five times in all.”

In actual fact “The Sun”challenge cup was the donated original Slazenger trophy. This is confirmed in the 1928 Australian Championship programme ” The winner’s name will be engraved on the Cup, which was presented to the Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia as a Perpetual Trophy by Messrs. Slazenger Ltd., in 1905″

The Slazenger Cup was designed along very similar lines to that of the Men’s trophy from Wimbledon which is perhaps a tad strange.

Jack Crawford’s win the Australian singles title in 1933 was the third straight win, so the trophy was awarded to him. Only in 2013, 8o years after being awarded to Jack, this trophy amazingly has been rediscovered having gone missing 30 years ago when Jack sold it off owing to a lack of funds . The pictures below show the individual trophy won in 1931. “The Sun Challenge Cup”. With the main Slazenger trophy now in Jack’s private care, the tennis association introduced the “Norman Brookes” challenge cup without the opportunity of winning it outright, hence this trophy remains today.

The Sun Challenge Cup awarded to individual Men’s championship singles winners appears distorted but is in fact the correct shape.
This was warded to Jack Crawford in 1931

After forming the Australasian Lawn Tennis Association in order to qualify a team into the Davis Cup in 1904, the first National Championships were played in 1905. Donated by manufacturer F H Ayres, the cup could only be awarded to a doubles players private trophy cabinet if won three times in a row or five times in all. John Bromwich & Adrian Quist won three times straight in 1938, 1939, 1940, although Adrian had won it in 1936 and 1937 with Don Turnbull. John and Adrian went onto win 1946-1950 as well in an unbroken, except by WWII, record of 8 straight wins. Photo permission courtesy of Kooyong LTC, Kooyong Foundation and the Bromwich family.

Davis Cup trophies are equally precious. The small silver cups are given to players who played in the Challenge round of the Davis Cup. Silver to the runners up and gold to the winners. c late 1940’s three cups, three years of being runners up mainly to the USA.

While the above are in the upper echelon of collecting, from the very early days of tennis success in competitions was rewarded with medals and various other trinkets.

These medals were usually given to club champions and they make for an interesting link back to the early days. Who knows, with luck, you might find a recognised player inscribed on the medal or even a medal affixed to a racquet in recognition that the owner was the champion.

Tennis History Videos and DVD’s

Posted on April 27, 2010 by admin

If you have any information or would like to write an article please contact us at theteam@tennishistory.com.au

Videos and DVD’s

While books are great, you can find some really good videos which depict players from the past.

Here are some relating to Australian Tennis.

100 Years tennis history

Pat Cash Tennis My Way

The Pat Cash video is one of my favourites given this era matches the coaching methods and playing techniques of my background. While perhaps considered out of date, I still rate Pat’s volleying ability ahead of any other player within the last 15 years.

Tennis Action Flicker Books

Posted on February 2, 2010 by rod

Pre videos and DVD’s the way to show a tennis shot in motion was via Flicker books. By grabbing the corner and flicking quickly through 40-50 images you will see how the players moved to the ball, set their back swings, follow through and finish.

These go back to the mid 1920’s and were popular up to the late 1960’s, early 1970’s.

The first shot is of P.O’Hara Wood c mid 1940’s, maybe earlier. The books were made in such a way that you could see 4 different strokes, 2 shots top and 2 shots bottom.

The Rod Laver book is a chuckle because being a left hander and to suit a majority right hand playing audience, they reversed all the photos to show Rod as a right hander. Published by Thumbflix it shows a serve,smash, forehand and backhand (c maybe early 70’s).

The lower shot shows the 1930’s version from Slazenger UK for Bunny Austin (Davis Cup player) and our own Ken Rosewall.

TENNIS TRIFLES manufacture of tennis racquets 1930’s excellent look at what was occurring throughout the world.

CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA (NO. 9) Precursor to the Donnisthorpe Streamline this modern looking racquet looks similar to the Kovacs Model – Adreef Speedshaft

DUNLOP SPORTS SHOES – WATCH THEM MADE AT LIVERPOOL

1930’s look at tennis shoe production in the UK

THE TENNIS MACHINE ( aka RENE LACOSTE ) 1929

NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS JOHN BROMWICH IN ACTION

WIMBLEDON 1961 with Slazenger ball making, notice the difference to the 1930’s & tennis ball kid training

IRELAND V AUSTRALIA Crawford, Gar Moon, Hopman & Willard (silent)

1933 Don Turnbull and Quist lose the doubles (Alexander flat tops)

1939 Davis Cup Team Sails to Victory in the USA

BRITAIN IS PROUD OF YOU! Perry beats Crawford 1933 and prevents the first Grand Slam which is eventually won by Budge in 1938

A TENNIS BATTLE ROYAL Crawford defeats Vines 1934

CRAWFORD v PERRY 1934 UK Sydney

WELL PLAYED – SIR Perry Beats Crawford at Kooyong 1934

A COMING CHAMPION

Viv McGrath with his amazing double handed backhand defeats Wimbledon Champion Fred Perry, a major surprise, again. VIv shows his unique (world first elite player) to use double handed backhand.

VICTORIAN LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 1938 Budge / Bromwich

AUSTRALIA’S DAVIS CUP PROBABLES 1946 see Crawford, Pails and Bromwich tennis styles. Bromich served right handed, left hand forehand, double handed backhand, right handed shots in recovery as well.

ONE LEGGED MAN FROM SYDNEY PLAYS TENNIS 1937

Various shots of John Paulin a one legged tennis player as he plays a match. Paulin has a crutch under one arm and moves around the court fast and freely. He even jumps over the net at the end of the match. Anyone know of John or family?