Wilfred Baddeley : biography
11 January 1872 – 24 January 1929
Wilfred Baddeley (11 January 1872, Bromley, England – 24 January 1929, Menton, France) was a former World No. 1 British male tennis player and the elder of the Baddeley twins. His brother Herbert died on 20 July 1931 in Cannes, France.
Professional life
In February 1895 the brothers qualified in London as solicitors. They joined their uncle and father Thomas and E. P. Baddeley in Leadenhall Street at the family firm, founded by their great grandfather in 1790. The brothers remained partners in the firm until 1919, when they retired leaving their cousin, Cyril Baddeley, to carry on in the family name.
Career
Wilfred, the better-known competitor, made his debut at Wimbledon in 1890 and he went on to win singles title three times in 1891, 1892 and 1895. His 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Joshua Pim in 1891 made him, until Boris Becker in 1985, the youngest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon. He was also runner-up in 1893, 1894 and 1896. With Herbert, he won four doubles championships at Wimbledon in 1891, 1894 – 1896. The twins retired from competitive lawn tennis after the 1897 Wimbledon Championships to pursue their law careers.
Grand Slam singles finals (6)
Wins (3)
Year |
Championship |
Opponent |
Score |
1891 |
Wimbledon |
IRE|1783}} Joshua Pim |
6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 |
1892 |
Wimbledon |
IRE|1783}} Joshua Pim |
4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 |
1895 |
Wimbledon |
United Kingdom}} W. V. Eaves |
4-6, 2-6, 8-6, 6-2, 6-3 |
Runner-ups (3)
Year |
Championship |
Opponent |
Score |
1893 |
Wimbledon |
IRE|1783}} Joshua Pim |
3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 |
1894 |
Wimbledon |
IRE|1783}} Joshua Pim |
10-8, 6-2, 8-6 |
1896 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Harold Mahoney |
6-2, 6-8, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3 |
Grand Slam doubles finals (6)
Wins (4)
Year |
Championship |
Partner |
Opponents |
Score |
1891 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Joshua Pim Frank Stoker |
6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 |
1894 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Harold Barlow Charles Martin |
5-7, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 8-6 |
1895 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Ernest Lewis Herbert Wilberforce |
8-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 |
1896 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Reginald Doherty Harold Nisbet |
1-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 |
Runner-ups (2)
Year |
Championship |
Partner |
Opponents |
Score |
1892 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Ernest Lewis Harold Barlow |
6-4, 2-6, 6-8, 4-6 |
1897 |
Wimbledon |
GBR}} Herbert Baddeley |
GBR}} Reginald Doherty Lawrence Doherty |
4-6, 6-4, 6-8, 4-6 |