British Covered Court Championships

The British Covered Court Championships (BCCC) was an indoor tennis event held from 1885 through 1971 and played in London, England. The tournament dates fluctuated between October and March.

History The first five editions of the tournament were held at the Hyde Park Lawn Tennis Club in Porchester Square, London and consisted only of a men's singles competition. In 1890 it was decided to add a women's singles and men's doubles competition and the tournament moved to the Queen's Club in London, although the men's singles remained at Hyde Park until 1895. The mixed doubles event was added to the championships in 1898.McKelvie, p.36 A third court was added to the championships in 1912, and, like the original two courts, it had a wooden surface.McKelvie, pp.41,42 In 1923, the Challenge Round system, allowing the champion to skip next year's competition and only play the winner of that competition, was abolished.McKelvie, p.113 In 1925, the tournament was merged with the London Covered Court Championships.McKelvie, p.114 The women's doubles event was added to the tournament in 1934 and renamed to The National Covered Court Championships.McKelvie, p.117 From its inception, it grew into an important event through the first half of the 20th century, but by the late 1950s, its stature had diminished greatly and in 1966, they couldn't find a sponsor. In 1968, the BCCC became part of the first Dewar Cup circuit, but that was its final year at Queens Club.

In 1969, the tournament merged with the Wembley Championship while continuing to be called the British Covered Court Championships, and it became a Grand Prix event in 1970 and 1971. Several top players, who were part of the World Championship Tennis circuit, were barred from competition in 1972 and with no sponsors to be found, the tournament was discontinued.

Frenchman Jean Borotra is the male record holder with eleven singles titles and British Dorothea Douglass Chambers holds the record for women with seven singles titles.

Champions

Men's singles YearChampionsRunners-upScoreSurface1885 Herbert Lawford Charles Ross 7–5, 6–3, 6–0 Wood1886 Teddy Williams Herbert Lawford 6–2, 1–6, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 Wood1887 Ernest Lewis Teddy Williams 6–2, 6–2, 6–1 Wood1888 Ernest Lewis Ernest George Meers 6–3, 6–0, 6–1 Wood1889 Ernest Lewis James Crispe 6–1, 6–1, 6–1 Wood1890 Ernest Lewis Ernest George Meers 6–2, 6–3, 6–2 Wood1891 Ernest Lewis Ernest George Meers 6–4, 8–6, 6–3 Wood1892 Ernest George Meers Ernest Lewis 6–3, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2 Wood1893 Harold Mahony Ernest George Meers 6–2, 6–2, 6–4 Wood1894 Harold Mahony Ernest George Meers 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 Wood1895 Ernest Lewis Harold Mahony walkover Wood1896 Ernest Lewis Wilberforce Eaves 6–4, 6–1, 6–8, 4–6, 7–5 Wood1897 Wilberforce Eaves Ernest Lewis 6–3, 6–3, 7–5 Wood1898 Wilberforce Eaves Laurence Doherty 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 Wood1899 Wilberforce Eaves Harold Mahony 6–2, 6–4, 6–8, 3–6, 6–4 Wood1900 Arthur Gore Major Ritchie 6–1, 7–5, 6–3 Wood1901 Laurence Doherty Arthur Gore 6–3, 6–1, 6–1 Wood1902 Laurence Doherty Major Ritchie 6–4, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3 Wood1903 Laurence Doherty George Hillyard 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 Wood1904 Laurence Doherty Major Ritchie 6–2, 8–10, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3 Wood1905 Laurence Doherty Major Ritchie 6–1, 8–6, 6–2 Wood1906 Laurence Doherty Arthur Gore 6–2, 6–4, 8–6 Wood1907 Anthony Wilding Laurence Doherty walkover Wood1908 Arthur Gore Anthony Wilding 4–6, 8–6, 6–0, 8–6 Wood1909 Major Ritchie Arthur Gore 7–5, 8–6, 6–3 Wood1910 Gordon Lowe Arthur Lowe 6–4, 6–0, 6–1 Wood1911 André Gobert Gordon Lowe 6–3, 7–5, 6–3 Wood1912 André Gobert Anthony Wilding 3–6, 7–5, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 Wood1913 Percival Davson Erik Larsen 5–7, 6–2, 6–3, 6–2 Wood1914 Major Ritchie Percival Davson 8–6, 6–3, 6–1 Wood1915–1918 Not held (due to World War I)1919 Percival Davson Major Ritchie 6–2, 6–3, 8–6 Wood1920 André Gobert Percival Davson 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 Wood1921 André Gobert Walter Crawley 6–2, 6–4, 4–6, 0–6, 7–5 Wood1922 André Gobert Brian I. C. Norton 4–6, 6–1, 6–8, 6–4, 6–2 Wood1923 John D. Wheatley Hassan Ali Fyzee 1–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–4 Wood1924 Patrick Spence John D. Wheatley 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–1 Wood1925 Sydney Jacob Patrick Spence 3–6, 7–5, 6–0, 3–6, 6–3 Wood1926 Jean Borotra Donald Greig 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 Wood1927 Edward Higgs Gordon Crole Rees 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 Wood1928 Jean Borotra Gordon Crole Rees 4–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–3 Wood1929 Jean Borotra Nigel Sharpe 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 Wood1930 Jean Borotra Henry Austin 6–1, 0–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4 Wood1931 Jean Borotra Jiro Satoh 10–8, 6–3, 0–6, 6–3 Wood1932 Jean Borotra Harry Lee 6–2, 6–3, 6–3 Wood1933 Jean Borotra Henry Austin 6–3, 5–7, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4 Wood1934 Henry Austin Jean Borotra 6–2, 4–6, 6–0, 6–8, 6–2 Wood1935 Jean Borotra Nigel Sharpe 6–0, 6–2, 6–0 Wood1936 Karl Schröder Jean Borotra 8–6, 6–1, 9–7 Wood1937 Henry Austin Karl Schröder 6–2, 3–6, 7–5, 6–2 Wood1938 Jean Borotra Donald Butler 6–0, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 Wood1939–1946 Not held (due to World War II)1947 Ivo Rinkel Ernest Wittman 3–6, 7–5, 7–5 Wood1948 Jean Borotra Geoffrey Paish 6–3, 6–3, 6–2 Wood1949 Jean Borotra Geoffrey Paish 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 Wood1950 Jaroslav Drobný Geoffrey Paish 6–3, 6–2, 6–0 Wood1951 Geoffrey Paish Ignacy Tłoczyński 6–4, 6–4, 6–1 Wood1952 Jaroslav Drobný Tony Mottram 6–3, 6–4, 8–6 Wood1953 Jaroslav Drobný Robert Wilson 6–2, 7–5, 6–2 Wood1954 Jaroslav Drobný Władysław Skonecki 7–5, 7–5, 7–9, 6–4 Wood1955 Władysław Skonecki William Knight 5–7, 7–5, 6–4, 9–7 Wood1956 Alfred Huber Geoffrey Paish 7–5, 7–5, 7–9, 6–4 Wood1957 Not held1958 Mike Davies Owen Davidson 5–7, 6–1, 6–2, 6–2 Wood1959 Robert Wilson Kurt Nielsen 6–3, 8–6, 6–2 Wood1960 William Knight Robert Wilson 6–3, 6–4, 8–6 Wood1961 Anthony Pickard Manuel Santana 6–1, 6–3, 6–3 Wood1962 Robert Wilson William Knight 3–6, 6–3, 8–6, 2–6, 6–2 Wood1963 Robert Wilson Roger Taylor 16–14, 6–2, 9–7 Wood1964 Mike Sangster Robert Wilson 6–3, 8–6, 6–4 Wood1965 Robert Wilson Mark Cox 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 Wood1966–1967 Not heldOpen era1968 Bob Hewitt Bob Lutz 4–6, 6–2, 6–4, 10–8 Wood1969 Rod Laver Tony Roche 6–4, 6–1, 6–3 Carpet1970 Rod Laver Cliff Richey 6–3, 6–4, 7–5 Carpet1971 Ilie Năstase Rod Laver 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 Carpet

Women's singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScoreSurface1890 May Jacks Maud Shackle 6–0, 6–1 Wood1891 Maud Shackle May Jacks 7–5, 6–2 Wood1892 Maud Shackle May Arbuthnot 6–3, 3–6, 6–2 Wood1893 Maud Shackle May Arbuthnot 6–2, 1–6, 7–5 Wood1894 Edith Austin May Arbuthnot 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 Wood1895 Charlotte Cooper Edith Austin 6–4, 3–6, 6–1 Wood1896 Edith Austin Charlotte Cooper 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 Wood1897 Edith Austin Ruth Dyas 9–11, 6–4, 12–10 Wood1898 Edith Austin Ruth Pennington-Legh 6–3, 2–6, 6–2 Wood1899 Edith Austin Charlotte Cooper 6–2, 6–4 Wood1900 Toupie Lowther Edith Austin Greville 2–6, 7–5, 6–4 Wood1901 Blanche Bingley Hillyard Toupie Lowther 6–2, 6–3 Wood1902 Toupie Lowther Gladys Duddell 6–3, 6–1 Wood1903 Toupie Lowther Adine Masson 6–1, 6–0 Wood1904 Dorothea Douglass Edith Austin Greville 6–2, 6–3 Wood1905 Hilda Lane Gladys Eastlake Smith 6–4, 8–6 Wood1906 Dorothea Douglass Hilda Lane 6–2, 6–0 Wood1907 Gladys Eastlake Smith Mildred Coles 6–3, 6–3 Wood1908 Dorothea Douglass Chambers Gladys Eastlake Smith 6–3, 6–3 Wood1909 Dora Boothby Madeline O'Neill 6–1, 6–3 Wood1910 Dorothea Douglass Chambers Madeline O'Neill 6–4, 6–3 Wood1911 Dorothea Douglass Chambers Helen Aitchison 6–3, 6–1 Wood1912 Dorothy Holman Aurea Edgington 6–2, 6–0 Wood1913 Dorothea Douglass Chambers Dorothy Holman 6–2, 6–3 Wood1914 Dorothy Holman Madeline O'Neill 7–9, 6–1, 6–2 Wood1915–1918 Not held1919 Dorothea Douglass Chambers Dorothy Holman 6–3, 6–3 Wood1920 Elizabeth Ryan Doris Craddock 6–4, 6–2 Wood1921 Dorothy Holman Irene Bowder Peacock 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 Wood1922 Dorothy Holman Doris Craddock 6–2, 6–1 Wood1923 Mabel Davey Clayton Aurea Edgington 6–3, 6–2 Wood1924 Geraldine Beamish Doris Craddock 6–4, 6–4 Wood1925 Joan Reid-Thomas Blanche Colston 6–2, 7–5 Wood1926 Peggy Saunders Betty Dix 6–4, 6–2 Wood1927 Eileen Bennett Cristobel Hardie 6–4, 6–0 Wood1928 Kathleen McKane Godfree Eileen Bennett 6–1, 6–2 Wood1929 Peggy Saunders Michell Joan Ridley 6–4, 6–4 Wood1930 Joan Ridley Joan Fry 6–2, 6–2 Wood1931 Mary Heeley Jeanette Morfey 6–1, 6–0 Wood1932 Peggy Scriven Kay Stammers 6–2, 6–4 Wood1933 Phyllis King Kay Stammers 10–12, 6–1, 6–3 Wood1934 Phyllis King Mary Hardwick 6–3, 4–6, 6–2 Wood1935 Peggy Scriven Ermyntrude Harvey 6–2, 6–2 Wood1936 Anita Lizana Mary Hardwick 6–3, 6–0 Wood1937 Peggy Scriven Phyllis King 6–1, 6–2 Wood1938 Peggy Scriven Alexandra McOstrich McKelvie 6–3, 4–6, 6–1 Wood1939–1947 Not held1948 Gem Hoahing Joan Curry 1–6, 6–3, 7–5 Wood1949 Joan Curry Jean Quertier 6–1, 6–0 Wood1950 Jean Quertier Joan Curry 3–6, 7–5, 6–3 Wood1951 Susan Partridge Jean Walker-Smith 6–4, 6–4 Wood1952 Angela Mortimer Susan Partridge 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 Wood1953 Angela Mortimer Georgie Woodgate 6–3, 6–2 Wood1954 Angela Mortimer Shirley Bloomer 6–2, 6–3 Wood1955 Anne Shilcock Pat Ward 6–2, 6–4 Wood1956 Angela Buxton Anne Shilcock 6–2, 6–2 Wood1957 Not held1958 Anne Shilcock Christine Truman 6–2, 6–2 Wood1959 Angela Mortimer Pat Ward 6–2, 6–3 Wood1960 Angela Mortimer Ann Haydon 7–5, retired Wood1961 Angela Mortimer Christine Truman 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 Wood1962 Ann Haydon Christine Truman 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 Wood1963 Deidre Catt Renée Schuurman 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 Wood1964 Ann Haydon-Jones Fay Toyne 6–3, 6–3 Wood1965 Ann Haydon-Jones Fay Toyne 6–2, 6–1 Wood1966–1967 Not heldOpen era1968 Margaret Court Virginia Wade 10–8, 6–1 Wood1969 Ann Haydon-Jones Billie Jean King 9–11, 6–2, 9–7 Carpet1970 Billie Jean King Ann Haydon-Jones 8–6, 3–6, 6–1 Carpet1971 Billie Jean King Françoise Dürr 6–1, 5–7, 7–5 Carpet

Records

Men's singles Source: Most titles: Jean Borotra, 11 Most consecutive titles: Jean Borotra, 6 Most finals: Jean Borotra, 13 Most consecutive finals: Jean Borotra, 9 Most matches played: Major Ritchie, 83 Most matches won: Jean Borotra, (67) Most consecutive match wins: Jean Borotra, 35 Most editions played: Major Ritchie, 30 Best match winning %: André Gobert 94.12% Longest final: Laurence Doherty v Major Ritchie, result: 6–2, 8–10, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3, 57 games, 1904 Shortest final: Jean Borotra v Nigel Sharpe, result: 6–0, 6–2, 6–0, 20 games, 1935 Title won with the fewest games lost, Ernest Wool Lewis, 22, 1887 Oldest champion: Jean Borotra, 51y 1m and 28d, 1949 Youngest champion: Edward Lake Williams, 19y 9m and 12d, 1886

See also British Hard Court Championships :Category:National and multi-national tennis tournaments

References