History Makers: Anthony Wilding

A multiple Grand Slam champion, tennis’ first recognised superstar and a war hero – introducing, Anthony Wilding.

New Zealand born tennis star, Wilding, was one of the greatest talents of his era – winning eight singles and doubles Wimbledon titles (including four consecutive singles championships), three combined Australasian Championships (now known as the Australian Open), two World Hard Court Championships, one World Covered Court Championships, four Davis Cups and an Olympic bronze medal, between 1906 and 1914. That's quite the resume!

To this day he still holds the record for the most titles won in a single season back in 1906, when he claimed an incredible 23 trophies in one year.

Regarded as the biggest star in the game at the time and the first player to become a true icon in the sport – Wilding’s career was tragically cut short after he died serving in World War I.

This Remembrance Day, we take a look back at the life and career of one of tennis’ most courageous and inspiring heroes.

From New Zealand to England

Wilding’s parents grew up in Herefordshire but after they got married, decided to emigrate to New Zealand to start their family.

As the second of five children, Wilding took after his dad, Frederick Wilding, as a keen sportsman. Anthony was a talented young cricket and tennis player, whilst Frederick had a gift for tennis himself, winning several doubles titles in New Zealand.

Wilding first picked up a racket at the age of six and played all throughout his childhood, leading up to a seven-week journey to Britain to attend Cambridge University. He wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps and study to become a lawyer, but his passion for tennis stayed strong.

He joined the university team and by his second year became the secretary, helping make tennis one of the most popular sports on campus.

But in 1904, his life changed forever. Wilding was invited to compete at Wimbledon for the first time in his career and took the chance, beating Albert Prebble in his first-round debut but eventually losing in the second – the beginning of a relationship that would last for many years to come.

In many ways Wilding was ahead of his time. Like the modern players today, he was renowned for his attacking flair from the baseline, a style which took him to gain his first title later that year in Shropshire.

Tennis’ first global superstar

With the first senior trophy in the bag – Wilding’s rise to the top was unlike anything that had come before

In 1905 he made his Davis Cup debut for Australasia, taking them to the final before losing to the USA, and also picked up his first title on European soil in Germany.

He only had to wait another year to get his first taste of Grand Slam success. After a long season, which saw him reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon and even playing doubles with his dad around Europe, Wilding headed back to New Zealand for the Australasian Championships.

After spending a few weeks on the boat travelling over, Wilding came back with both the singles and doubles titles to claim two of his three career slam titles on home soil.

Fast forward 12 months and Wilding had won his first of three consecutive Davis Cup titles with Australasia defeating the Brits in the final at Wimbledon, as well as his first doubles title at the Championships, teaming up with Australian, Norman Brookes. He defended the title a year later with well-loved British star, Major Ritchie.

In 1909, not only did he win his second Australasian Championships singles title, but he also qualified as a Barrister – talk about talented! But with the Wimbledon title still missing from his achievements he decided to concentrate on his tennis.

They say good things come to those who wait – and so it did for Wilding. The next year, he started his journey to a historic run at SW19, which saw him win four singles titles in a row. In his first final he defeated the legendary Arthur Gore, 6–4, 7–5, 4–6, 6–2.

Wilding was the only player to win four consecutive Wimbledon trophies until Bjorn Borg in 1979.

He won his last Wimbledon title in 1913 – a year before the war – the same year that he completed one of his greatest career achievements, the World Championship triple. He was the champion at the World Hard Court Championships in Paris, Wimbledon and the World Covered Court Championships in Stockholm.

A hero in every sense

When World War I broke out in 1914, Wilding enlisted in the Royal Marines. Rumour has it that this was on the advice of Winston Churchill, who was then First Lord of the Admiralty.

However, it was only a few days before he was then attached to Intelligence Corps, where he joined the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division because of his detailed knowledge of the European roads and driving skill. As well as a brilliant tennis pro and barrister, Wilding was also an excellent driver and competed in motorsports across Europe. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do…