Holcombe_Ward
Holcombe Ward
American tennis player
Holcombe Ward (November 23, 1878 – January 23, 1967) was an American tennis player who was active during the last years of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th. He won the U.S. National Championships singles title in 1904 and additionally won six doubles titles at the Grand Slam event.
| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Born | (1878-11-23)November 23, 1878 New York, NY, United States |
| Died | January 23, 1967(1967-01-23) (aged 88) Red Bank, NJ, United States |
| Turned pro | 1895 (amateur tour) |
| Retired | 1905 (brief comeback in 1917) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Int. Tennis HoF | 1956 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (1904, ITHF)[1] |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Wimbledon | 1R (1905) |
| US Open | W (1904) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | F (1901) |
| US Open | W (1899, 1900, 1901, 1904, 1905, 1906) |
Ward is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the U.S. National Championships in 1904 after defeating William Clothier in straight sets in the all-comer's final.[2] He graduated from Harvard University.[1]
In 1905 Ward won the London Grass Court Championships, now known as Queen's Club Championships, after a walkover in the final against compatriot Beals Wright.[3]
Ward was a member of the USA Davis Cup Team in 1900, 1902, 1905 and 1906. In 1900 and 1902 he played the doubles match in the challenge round which the US team won against the British Isles. In total Ward played 14 Davis Cup matches in seven ties and compiled a 7–7 win–loss record.[4]
After his active career Ward became President of the USLTA (U.S. Lawn Tennis Association) from 1937 to 1947.[1]
Singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1904 | U.S. National Championships | Grass |  William Clothier | 10–8, 6–4, 9–7 | [5] |
| Loss | 1905 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Beals Wright | 2–6, 1–6, 9–11 | [5] |
Doubles: 9 (6 titles, 3 runners-up)
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1898 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Dwight F. Davis | George Sheldon Leo Ware | 6–1, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4, 5–7 | [6] |
| Win | 1899 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Dwight F. Davis | George Sheldon Leo Ware | 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 | [6] |
| Win | 1900 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Dwight F. Davis | Fred Alexander Raymond Little | 6–4, 9–7, 12–10 | [6] |
| Loss | 1901 | Wimbledon | Grass | Dwight F. Davis |  Laurence Doherty Reginald Doherty | 6–4, 2–6, 3–6, 7–9 | [7] |
| Win | 1901 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Dwight F. Davis | Leo Ware Beals Wright | 6–3, 9–7, 6–1 | [6] |
| Loss | 1902 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Dwight F. Davis | Laurence Doherty Reginald Doherty | 9–11, 10–12, 4–6 | [6] |
| Win | 1904 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Beals Wright | Kreigh Collins Raymond Little | 1–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 | [6] |
| Win | 1905 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Beals Wright | Fred Alexander Harold Hackett | 6–4, 6–4, 6–1 | [6] |
| Win | 1906 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | Beals Wright | Fred Alexander Harold Hackett | 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 | [6] |
- "Hall of Famers - Profile Holcombe Ward". International Tennis Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 456. ISBN 978-0942257700.
- McKelvie, Roy (1986). The Queen's Club Story, 1886-1986. London: Stanley Paul. p. 32. ISBN 0091660602.
- "Davis Cup - Profile Holcombe Ward". ITF. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- "US Open Past Champions / Men's Singles". US Open official website. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- "US Open Past Champions / Men's Doubles". US Open official website. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- "Wimbledon Rolls of Honour / Gentlemen's Doubles". Wimbledon official tournament website. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
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