Harold_Mahony

Harold Mahony
Full name	Harold Segerson Mahony
Country (sports)	United Kingdom
Born	13 February 1867; Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Died	27 June 1905 (aged 38); County Kerry, Ireland
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Turned pro	1890 (amateur tour)
Retired	1905 (death)
Singles
Career titles	43
Grand Slam singles results
Wimbledon	W (1896)
US Open	4R (1903)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Wimbledon	F (1892, 1903)
US Open	F (1897)
Medal record
Representing Great Britain
Representing a Mixed team

Harold Mahony

British tennis player

Harold Segerson Mahony (13 February 1867 – 27 June 1905) was a Scottish-born Irish tennis player who is best known for winning the singles title at the Wimbledon Championships in 1896. His career lasted from 1888 until his death in 1905. Mahony was born in Scotland but lived in Ireland for the majority of his life; his family were Irish including both of his parents, the family home was in County Kerry, Southwestern Ireland. He was the last Scottish born man to win Wimbledon until the victory of Andy Murray at the 2013 championships.^[1]

Quick Facts Full name, Country (sports) ...

Career

Mahony was born at 21 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh to Richard John Mahony, an Irish barrister and prominent landowner. The family had a home in Scotland but spent most of their time at Dromore Castle, in County Kerry, Ireland. Harold trained on a specially built tennis court at Dromore.^[2]

Mahony made his Wimbledon debut in 1890 exiting in the first round.^[3] He reached the semifinal in 1891 and 1892.^[2] Mahony spent some time in America in the mid-1890s, before returning to the United Kingdom and finally taking the Wimbledon crown in 1896. In the final he beat Wilfred Baddeley of Great Britain in five sets.^[2] Under the challenger system Mahony was entitled to defend the Wimbledon title in 1897 but this time he was beaten in the Challenge Round in three straight sets by Reginald Doherty.^[3] He was the last Scottish-born player to win a grand slam until Andy Murray won the US Open in 2012 and win Wimbledon until Murray won it in 2013. He was recognised as the third and last Irishman to win the Wimbledon singles.^[4]

He won the singles title at the British Covered Court Championships, played at the Queen's Club in London, in 1893 and successfully defended his title the following year. In 1895 Mahony forfeited the defence of his title due to illness.^[5] In 1898 he won the singles titles at the prestigious Irish Championships. That same year Mahony, who was a regular competitor in Germany and spoke fluent German, also won the singles title at the German Championships.^[6]

At the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris he won a silver medal in the men's singles event and a bronze medal in the doubles competition (for Great Britain and Ireland), as well as a silver medal in the mixed doubles event with Hélène Prévost from France.^[7] Mahony won the Kent Championships in 1899, defeating Wilberforce Eaves in the final, and in 1904, defeating Brame Hillyard in the final.^[8]

Mahony was a member of the 1903 British Isles Davis Cup team that won the against the United States at the Longwood Cricket Club in Boston but did not play in the event. When four-time Wimbledon champion Reginald Doherty had a shoulder injury the British team captain William Collins elected to forfeit his first match, instead of letting Mahony play, so that Doherty would be allowed to play the reverse singles match later in the event.^[9]

Mahony was 1.91m (6 ft 3in) tall and possessed a formidable backhand. His forehand was less notable: his fellow player, George Hillyard, wrote that he "never did acquire the right method of hitting the ball on the forehand".^[2]

Mahony was killed on 27 June 1905, aged 38, in a bicycling accident while descending a steep hill near Caragh Lake in County Kerry.^[2]^[5]

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[1] [1]
The Today Programme, BBC Radio 4, 8 July 2013

[Grand_Slam_Winner-2] [2]
David Randall (31 January 2010). "Scotland's only winner of a Grand Slam. So far". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2012.

[wimbledon-3] [3]
"Wimbledon players archive – Harold Mahony". AELTC.

[4] [4]
Devastating backhand nets glory for Mahony By Ryle Dwyer, The Irish Examiner, 1 August 2012

[killed-5] [5]
"ME. H. S. MAHONY KILLED". Bunbury Herald (WA : 1892 – 1919). WA. 14 August 1905. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.

[scotsman-6] [6]
"Scottish Wimbledon champion that history forgot". The Scotsman. 13 July 2007.

[7] [7]
"Harold Mahony". Olympedia. Retrieved 31 December 2020.

[sports-reference-8] [8]
"Harold Mahony Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2014.

[9] [9]
Randy Walker (2 March 2015). "Brothers Vs. Brothers in a USA Vs. Britain Davis Cup? It's Happened Before…". World Tennis Magazine.

[10] [10]
"Abolition of Challenge Rounds". Evening Post. Vol. CIII, no. 65. 20 March 1922. Retrieved 11 December 2016 – via paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.

[11] [11]
"FITZWILLIAM CLUB CH. Tournament Draw". The Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[12] [12]
"DUBLIN UNIVERSITY CH. Tournament Draw 1889". The Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[13] [13]
"DUBLIN UNIVERSITY CH. Tournament Draw". The Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[14] [14]
"CHELTENHAM Tournament Draw". Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[15] [15]
"ST. LEONARDS-ON-SEA Tournament Draw". Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[16] [16]
"QUEENS CHALLENGE CUP Tournament Draw". Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[17] [17]
"The Championships 1893, Gentlemen's All-Comers' Singles" (PDF). wimbledon.com. All England Lawn Tennis Club, 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

[18] [18]
"The Championships 1896, Gentlemen's All-Comers' Singles" (PDF). wimbledon.com. All England Lawn Tennis Club, 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

[19] [19]
"The Championships 1898, Gentlemen's All-Comers' Singles" (PDF). wimbledon.com. All England Lawn Tennis Club, 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

[auto-20] [20]
"Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club: Kent Championships". Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club. 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[21] [21]
"LAWN TENNIS AT HOMBURG". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. 22 August 1899. p. 9. Retrieved 19 February 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[22] [22]
"Hugh Lawrence DOHERTY – Olympic Tennis Great Britain". International Olympic Committee. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

[23] [23]
"Harold MAHONY – Olympic Tennis". International Olympic Committee. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

[24] [24]
"LEICESTERSHIRE CH. Tournament Draw 1902". The Tennis Base. 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.

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No.	Result	Date	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
1.	Loss	May 1888	Fitzwilliam Club Championships^[11]	Grass	Tom Campion	9–7, 7–5, 5–7, 6–0
2.	Loss	Jun 1889	Northern Championships	Grass	Willoughby Hamilton	6–3, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2
3.	Win	Jun 1889	Dublin University LT Championships^[12]	Hard	Hume R. Jones	9–7, 7–5, 5–7, 6–0
4.	Loss	May 1890	Dublin University LT Championships^[13]	Hard	Grainger Chaytor	6–3, 3–6, 8–6, 6–1
5.	Win	Jun 1890	East Gloucestershire Championships^[14]	Grass	James Baldwin	6–4, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4
6.	Loss	Jul 1890	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Ernest Lewis	6–1, 6–4, 6–2
7.	Loss	Aug 1890	South Saxons Open Tournament^[15]	Grass	Joshua Pim	3–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–4
8.	Loss	Jun 1891	Welsh Championships	Grass	Harry S. Barlow	5–7, 6–2, 7–5, 0–6, 6–1
9.	Loss	Jul 1891	Queens Challenge Cup^[16]	Grass	Joshua Pim	2–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–3
10.	Loss	Jul 1891	Warwickshire Championships	Grass	Joshua Pim	8–10, 6–2, 6–3, 6–2
11.	Win	Jul 1891	Leicestershire Championships	Grass	Joshua Pim	7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 4–6, 6–4
12.	Win	Aug 1891	Northumberland Championships	Grass	Tom Chaytor	6–2, 6–4, 6–3
13.	Loss	Apr 1892	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Ernest George Meers	6–2, 6–4, 6–3
14.	Win	Jul 1892	Leicestershire Championships	Grass	Joshua Pim	6–1, 6–2, 6–1
15.	Loss	Jul 1892	Northumberland Championships	Grass	Tom Chaytor	6–0, 10–8, 6–2
14.	Win	Apr 1893	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Ernest George Meers	6–2, 6–2, 6–4
15.	Win	Jue 1893	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Ernest Lewis	w.o
16.	Win	Apr 1893	Queens Covered Court Championship	Hard (i)	Horace Chapman	6–0, 2–6, 6–1
17.	Win	Apr 1893	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Ernest George Meers	6–2, 6–2, 6–4
18.	Win	Jun 1893	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Horace Chapman	6–3, 6–4, 6–4
19.	Loss	Jun 1893	Northern Championships	Grass	Joshua Pim	4–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–2
20.	Loss	Jun 1893	Yorkshire Championships	Grass	Joshua Pim	3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 8–6
21.	Loss	Jul 1893	Championship of London	Grass	Joshua Pim	9–7, 1–6, 6–1, 6–8, 6–3
22.	Loss	Jul 1893	Wimbledon Championships^[17]	Grass	Joshua Pim	9–7, 6–3, 6–0
23.	Win	Aug 1893	Darlington Open Tournament	Grass	David Chaytor	w.o
24.	Win	Apr 1894	Queens Covered Court Championship	Hard (i)	Guy Brabazon Pilkington	6–4, 8–10, 6–2
25.	Win	Apr 1894	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Ernest George Meers	6–4, 8–10, 6–2
26.	Loss	May 1894	Irish Championships	Grass	Thomas Chaytor	6–2, 5–7, 6–3, 2–6, 6–1
27.	Loss	Jun 1894	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Harry S. Barlow	3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 **
28.	Win	Jun 1894	Leicestershire Championships	Grass	Edward Roy Allen	w.o.
29.	Win	Jun 1894	Championship of London	Grass	Joshua Pim	6–4, 8–10, 6–2 **
30.	Win	Jun 1894	Nottinghamshire Championships	Grass	Edward Roy Allen	8–6, 6–3, 9–7
31.	Win	Aug 1894	Northumberland Championships	Grass	Harry Barlow	6–3, 6–3, 8–6
32.	Loss	Apr 1895	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Edward Roy Allen	w.o.
33.	Loss	Jun 1895	Irish Championships	Grass	Wilberforce Eaves	6–3, 6–8, 6–2, 6–4
34.	Loss	Jun 1895	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Turketil G. P. Greville	6–2, 7–5, 6–4
35.	Loss	Jun 1895	Neighborhood (u.s.)	Clay	Joshua Pim	6–4, 6–8, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
36.	Loss	Jul 1895	Warwickshire Championships	Grass	Edward Roy Allen	6–2, 6–4
37.	Win	Aug 1895	Derbyshire Championships	Grass	David Chaytor	6–2, 3–6, 2–6, 7–5, 6–3
38.	Loss	Apr 1896	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Wilberforce Eaves	2–6, 6–2, 7–5, 6–3
39.	Loss	May 1896	Irish Championships	Grass	Wilfred Baddeley	6–1, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
40.	Win	Jun 1896	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Edwin A. Barlow	6–2, 7–5, 6–4 **
41.	Loss	Jun 1896	Northern Championships	Grass	Wilfred Baddeley	6–1, 10–12, 7–5, 6–4 **
42.	Win	Jun 1896	Championship of London	Grass	Reginald Doherty	11–9, 6–4, 6–4
43.	Win	Jul 1896	West of England Championships	Grass	William Larned	6–3, 6–3, 6–3
44.	Win	Jul 1896	Wimbledon Championships^[18]	Grass	Wilfred Baddeley	6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3 **
45.	Loss	Apr 1897	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Wilberforce Eaves	6–3, 6–3, 6–0
46.	Loss	Jul 1897	Wimbledon Championships	Grass	Reginald Doherty	6–4, 6–4, 6–3 **
47.	Win	May 1898	Irish Championships	Grass	Wilberforce Eaves	6–1, 5–7, 9–7, 8–6 **
48.	Win	Jun 1898	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Turketil G. P. Greville	4–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 **
49.	Loss	Jun 1898	Kent Championships	Grass	Wilberforce Eaves	6–3, 7–5, 6–3
50.	Loss	Jun 1898	Wimbledon Championships^[19]	Grass	Laurence Doherty	6–1, 6–2, 4–6, 2–6, 14–12
51.	Loss	Jul 1898	London Championships	Grass	Laurence Doherty	6–3, 6–4, 9–7
52.	Win	Jul 1898	Midland Counties Championships	Grass	Captain Ernest D. Black	3–6, 6–4, 6–2, 7–5
53.	Win	Aug 1898	German International Championships	Clay	George Hillyard	w.o. **
54.	Loss	Sep 1898	Sussex Championships	Grass	David Chaytor	7–5, 0–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
55.	Win	Sep 1898	Welsh Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Laurence Doherty	5–7, 6–4, 7–5, 6–4
56.	Loss	Apr 1899	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	Wilberforce Eaves	6–2, 6–4, 6–8, 3–6, 6–4 **
57.	Loss	May 1899	Irish Championships	Grass	Reginald Doherty	6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 **
58.	Win	Jun 1899	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Turketil G. P. Greville	5–7, 2–6, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 **
59.	Win	Jun 1899	Kent Championships^[20]	Grass	Wilberforce Eaves	6–1, 6–1, 6–8, 3–6, 8–6 **
60.	Win	Jul 1899	London Championships	Grass	Arthur Gore	8–10, 6–2, 7–5, 6–1
61.	Win	Jul 1899	Northumberland Championships	Grass	Arthur Gore	8–6, 6–3
62.	Win	Aug 1899	Championship of Europe^[21]	Clay	Reginald Doherty	w.o.
63.	Loss	Sep 1899	South of England Championships	Grass	Sydney Howard Smith	6–3, 6–3, 6–1 **
64.	Win	Sep 1899	Dinard Challenge Cup	Clay	Arthur Gore	6–4, 6–2, 6–4
65.	Loss	Apr 1900	French Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	George Caridia	3–6, 11–9, 6–3
66.	Win	Jun 1900	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Arthur Gore	6–2, 6–4, 6–2
67.	Loss	Jun 1900	Kent Championships^[20]	Grass	Arthur Gore	6–4, 6–4, 6–4 **
68.	Loss	Jun 1900	Summer Olympics – Paris^[22]^[23]	Clay	Laurence Doherty	6–4, 6–2, 6–3
69.	Loss	Sep 1900	Dinard Challenge Cup	Clay	Laurence Doherty	4–6, 6–1, 8–6, 7–5
70.	Loss	Jun 1901	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Turketil G. P. Greville	7–5, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3
71.	Loss	Sep 1901	South of England Championships	Grass	Sydney Howard Smith	6–3, 7–9, 4–6, 6–4, 1–0. rt.
72.	Loss	Sep 1901	Portuguese International Championships	Clay	George Hillyard	6–0, 6–4
73.	Win	Jun 1902	Leicestershire Championships^[24]	Grass	Laurence Doherty	w.o.
74.	Loss	Jun 1902	Kent Championships	Grass	George Miéville Simond	6–4, 6–0, 6–3 **
75.	Loss	Jun 1902	Northern Championships	Grass	Sydney Howard Smith	7–5, 7–5, 3–6, 10–8
76.	Loss	Oct 1902	European Championships	Hard (i)	Laurence Doherty	4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–1
77.	Loss	Apr 1903	British Covered Court Championships	Hard (i)	George Hillyard	6–3, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
78.	Win	Jun 1903	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Brame Hillyard	3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
79.	Win	Jul 1903	Berkshire Championships	Grass	Alfred E. Crawley	6–3, 8–6
80.	Win	Jun 1904	Middlesex Championships	Grass	Frederick Payn	3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
81.	Win	Jun 1904	Kent Championships^[20]	Grass	Brame Hillyard	3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
82.	Win	Jul 1904	North London Championships (Gipsy)	Grass	Alfred Beamish	6–1, 5–7, 6–2, 6–1
83.	Loss	Jul 1904	Championship of London	Grass	Josiah Ritchie	6–3, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
84.	Win	Jul 1904	Berkshire Championships	Grass	Walter Crawley	5–7, 6–1, 6–4
85.	Win	Aug 1904	Crystal Palace Open	Grass	Ernest Parton	6–3, 6–2
86.	Loss	Jun 1905	Kent Championships	Grass	Norman Brookes	w.o.

Harold_Mahony

Harold Mahony

Career

Grand Slam finals

Singles

Doubles

Olympic finals

Singles: 1 (1 silver medal)

Mixed Doubles: 1 (1 silver medal)

Challenge Rounds

Career finals

Singles 86 (43 titles, 43 runner-ups)

References

External links

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Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	1896	Wimbledon	Grass	Wilfred Baddeley	6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3
Loss	1897	Wimbledon	Grass	Reginald Doherty	4–6, 4–6, 3–6

Legend (43–43)
Win
Loss