In 1863 Sir William resigned to H. J. Gray, the first of a large family of great professional players. William Gray, who was champion from 1866 to his death in 1875, was the greatest player of this era of rackets. He had most beautiful style and command of the ball and he was noted for his drop volley. His greatest match was played against an American professional named Foulkes, Gray being the winner. The next champion was H. B. Fairs, of Prince's club, known as "Punch" who, though he was diminutive in stature, was also a splendid player. He died in 1878 and was succeeded by another Gray, Joseph, who held the title from 1878-87. In that year Gray was beaten by Peter Latham, then a boy of 22, who holds the reputation of being the greatest player who has yet appeared. Gray won the first of the two rubbers in this match by four games to three but was beaten in the second at Manchester much more easily. From that date until 1902 Latham reigned supreme. He defended his title against yet another Gray, Walter of Charterhouse in 1888 and against George Standing in 1891 and 1897. The match in 1897 was played at Queen's club and in New York where Standing had gone from Prince's club, Knightsbridge, to become professional, and excited intense interest. Latham here, perhaps, had the hard est fight of his career but again he triumphed. In 1901 he played Gilbert Browne, then of Prince's club, and defeated him easily. In 1902 Latham resigned the title which he had held so long and worthily. In 1895 he had also won the championship of tennis and so held the two titles conjointly from 1895-1902, an unparal leled feat. Latham's first engagement was in Manchester. He was appointed as professional at Queen's club, West Kensington, in 1888, and with one interval, when he was privately employed by Sir Charles Rose at his tennis courts at Hardwick and Newmarket, he has been there ever since. In 1903 W. Jamsetji, a Parsee player, with a particularly fine fore-hand stroke beat Browne and he held the title until 1911, when he was beaten by Charles Wil liams of Harrow, who has since the World War gone as profes sional to the Chicago club. Williams in the interval had beaten
Walter Hawes (Wellington) for the English professional cham pionship and E. M. Baerlein, the amateur champion for the Brit ish championship. Just before the war Williams lost the open championship to Jock Soutar of Philadelphia who has defended it twice since, once against Williams and once against "Blondy" Standing. In 1929 Williams regained the title and has successfully defended it since then.
Very little is known of the firm of the early amateur players. In the days of old Prince's club (1853-86) among the leading amateurs in addition to Sir William Hart-Dyke were R. D. Walker, C. J. P. Clay, J. D. Cobbold, R. 0. Milne. J. Spens, an army officer in the '7os and '8os, held the reputation of being the best player in England. G. E. A. Ross in India was extremely good. Other soldier players of note of this time and a little later were T. Gallwey, A. Cooper-Key, G. A. Tower, C. D. King. In 1888, when the Queen's club was opened, an amateur champion ship was established and since then all the greatest amateur play ers have appeared in it. Spens competed the first year but he was then past his prime and was beaten by C. D. Buxton. The two greatest modern amateurs are generally reckoned to be H. K. Foster, who won the title eight times, and E. M. Baerlein who has won nine. Of the other winners E. M. Butler was a great player and stylist and so was P. Ashworth. F. Dames-Longworth, for many years a master at Charterhouse, where he did a great deal for rackets, was famed for his back-hand service. E. H. Miles was a clever player though not of commanding style. S. H. Shep pard, another clever player and quite tireless, is the only army officer who has won. E. B. Noel was the first left-hander to be successful. B. S. Foster had beautiful style footwork and hitting powers. H. W. Leatham relies to some extent on clever placing but he can serve well and hit hard when he likes. The Hon. C. N. Bruce is a splendid server and fine hitter. C. C. Pell, the winner in 1925, is the leading Amer ican player. He is very good all round with a strong service and much judgment.
The winners of the championship have been: In America a national singles championship and doubles cham pionship have been established for many years. Among leading American amateur players have been B. S. de Garmendia, G. R. Fearing, Quincy Shaw, Payne Whitney, L. Waterbury, Clarence Mackay, P. D. Haughton, C. C. Pell, S. F. Mortimer, W. Hewitt Morgan, H. D. Sheldon, E. M. Edwards, etc.
See E. B. Noel and the Hon. C. N. Bruce, First Steps to Rackets (1925). (E. B. N.)