The Portishead Open Lawn Tennis Tournament Western Daily Press. (Monday 31 August 1885). Portishead Open Lawn Tennis Tournament. Bristol, Somerset. England. p.8. was a Victorian period combined men's and women's grass court tennis tournament first staged September 1882,Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) Lawn Tennis Tournaments of 1882. George Routledge and Son. London. pp.117. organised by Portishead Lawn Tennis Club and held at Portishead, Somerset, England. The tournament ended around 1890.
History The Portishead Lawn Tennis was originally staged in July 1882 when it was held in conjunction with a Bazaar happening at the same time subsequently the event was thus co-promoted as the Lawn Tennis and Bazaar at Portishead.Western Daily Press. (Monday 31 July 1882). The Lawn Tennis Tournament and Bazaar Portishead. Bristol, Somerset. England. p.3.
The Bristol-based Western Daily Express reported on this event as follows:
On 12 September 1883 the Portishead Open Lawn Tennis Tournament was officially established, at the first meeting of this tournament Charles Lacy Sweet won the men's singles title,Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) against Lionel Wilberforce the brother of Herbert Wilberforce, the men's doubles was won by Charles Lacy Sweet and Mr. Pontifex defeating William Parkfield Wethered and F.E. Gibbs.Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) The women's singles was won Miss Bryant,Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) the women's doubles were won by Miss Reynolds and Miss Reynolds who defeated Miss Arden and Miss A. Lys,Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) and the mixed doubles title was won by William Renshaw and Miss Arden who defeated Charles Lacy Sweet and Miss Miss A. Lys.Routledges Sporting Annual (1883)
The inaugural open tournament received more positive reporting the following year in 1883.
After the success of the 1883 tournament this event started to attract top players, and ever increasing attendances, and was held up to at least 1890.Bristol Times and Mirror. (Friday 12 September 1890). Portishead Lawn Tennis Open Tournament. This tournament was commenced yesterday at Portishead in beautiful weather. Bristol, Somerset. England. p.8.
The Western Daily Express once again reporting in 1887:
References
Sources Bristol Times and Mirror. (Friday 12 September 1890). Portishead Lawn Tennis Open Tournament. Bristol, Somerset. England. Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) Lawn Tennis Tournaments of 1882. George Routledge and Son. London. Western Daily Press. (Monday 31 August 1885). Portishead Open Lawn Tennis Tournament. Bristol, Somerset. England.