Arguably one of the most popular events on the sporting calendar is the Wimbledon championships. As the UK national lockdown restrictions are coming to a slow but gradual end, it’s time to look forward to the return of the pinnacle of world Tennis.
Although there are many successful tennis players from all over the world, there are a few world-class players born and raised here, in Merseyside.
Let’s count down MERSEYSPORTLIVE’S top Five Merseyside Tennis players that made it to Wimbledon.
- Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Dod
Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Dod, born in Bebington in 1871, was an English tennis player and athlete. She was best known for her outstanding tennis achievements as she had won five Wimbledon titles, winning her first in 1887 when she was just fifteen years old. ‘Lottie’ had competed in her first tennis tournament in 1883 when she was just eleven years old. Dod had also faced fellow British tennis player Blanch Bingley Hillyard at every Wimbledon final she attended, beating her 5 times often in consecutive years. Lottie handed in her racquet in 1893 after her fifth and final Wimbledon grand slam and traded it in for hockey sticks, ice skates and golf clubs.
- Max Woosman
Max Woosman, born in Liverpool in 1892, was an English sportsman who is often called the ‘greatest British sportsman’ in light of his outstanding achievements. Woosman won Gold and Silver medals in the 1920 summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. Max had a slightly less successful tennis career at Wimbledon winning the Grand Slam doubles championship in 1921 followed by getting knocked out in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles in 1923. Max also had a very successful sporting career in football, Cricket, Snooker and captaining the British Davis cup team.
- Barry Cowen
Barry Cowen, born in Southport in 1974, was a British tennis player from 1991 to 2001. He had qualified in the Australian, French and the US open alongside Wimbledon. Although he has no career titles, Cowen entered Wimbledon on a wild-card basis almost every time other than the Australian Open where he was knocked out in the first round. Barry is best known for the ‘David vs Goliath’ match against undefeated champion, Pete Sampras, beating him in an epic tie break. Cowen used to listen to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ during breaks of play, sticking to his Liverpool roots.
- Jonathon Murray
Jonathon Murray, born in Liverpool in 1981, was a British double tennis player from 2000 to 2017. Murray was at first a singles player but due to several injuries decided to put all his effort in doubles. Murray predominantly played in the ATP challenge tour where he won multiple doubles final and reached the singles final. Jonathon is best known for winning the Wimbledon 2012 men’s doubles with partner Frederik Nielsen after gaining a wild-card entry and beating favourites Horia Tecau and Robert Lindstedt in five sets in the final.
- Fred Perry
Although not actually born in Merseyside, Fred Perry, born in Stockport in 1909, spent a lot of his childhood in Wallasey, attending Liscard Primary School. Perry had 10 major tournaments including eight grand slams tournaments and two Pro Slam tournaments. He had also won six major double tournaments. Fred had won three consecutive Wimbledon Championships from 1934 to 1936 and was world number one in these three years. Before Andy Murray, Fred Perry was the last British tennis player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles championships as well as the last British tennis player to win a men’s grand slam title. Andy Murray broke both of Perry’s records in 2012 and 2013.
