Aces in the Trenches: Tennis in WWI
Explore the intersection of tennis and the First World War, revealing surprising stories of sacrifice and resilience.
War has profoundly shaped society, and for over a century, its impact has been felt even on the playing fields. Baseball, football, golf, and basketball have, at some point, been intertwined with the war effort. Tennis is no exception.
French & Russian Players WWI (1916) by UnidentifiedInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Tennis during the Great War
World War I greatly impacted tennis around the world and revealed the commitment of the tennis community to serious international issues. The onset of war affected all aspects of tennis. American Lawn Tennis magazine reported on this throughout the duration of the war.
Keeping the tennis community up to date
Upon the outbreak of war in Europe, American Lawn Tennis provided updates on how the war was impacting the sport, whether it be the cancellation of tournaments or players not serving on court but rather for their respective countries.
“Just as competitive lawn tennis in Europe ceased in the middle of summer with the beginning of war, so all plans for the 1915 season are now being held in abeyance. On the Continent there not even talk of tournament.” – American Lawn Tennis, January 15, 1915
Serve Your Country
In some instances, tournaments were canceled or suspended, including the Davis Cup, Wimbledon, the French Championships, and the Australian Nationals.
Tennis imagery, such as this American recruiting poster, encouraged citizens to support the war effort.
Many international players and figures in the tennis world—serving either for the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) or the Triple Entente (Britain, France, and Russia)—shared letters and other news to American Lawn Tennis editor S. Wallis Merrihew for publishing.
Cartoon featuring tennis players versus the German Kaiser (1918) by American Lawn TennisInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
America's best
This cartoon from American Lawn Tennis matches three of the United States' top male players against the German Kaiser.
In serving their countries, many players sacrificed promising careers, as well as their lives.
New Zealand's Anthony Wilding
On May 9, 1915, New Zealand's Anthony Wilding, one of the top players in the world, was killed in action in France fighting for the British Empire after taking part in a heavy trench bombardment near Neuve-Chappelle.
William “Little Bill” Johnston enlists in the Navy in 1915
At one posting, Johnston (reigning U.S. National Champion) was so impressive during a tennis match between squadrons that an Admiral allegedly asked him if he had considered taking up the game seriously, before an aide informed the Admiral of Johnston’s credentials.
National Patriotic Tournament Men's National Singles Certificate presented to Robert Lindley Murray (1917-08-20) by United States National Lawn Tennis AssociationInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Patriotic Tournaments in the United States
In 1917, after the United States entered the war, the schedule of tennis tournaments for 1917 was kept intact. The U.S. National Championships were replaced by Patriotic Tournaments whose winners eventually achieved full championship status.
Molla Bjurstedt and Mary K. BrowneInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Women support the war effort
Karl Behr and the USNLTA raised money for ambulances used overseas during the war. Tennis clubs donated money directly to the cause, while others held exhibition matches to raise money. Matches between Molla Bjurstedt (Mallory) and Mary K. Browne were the most successful.
Reporting back the news
Upon joining the military, tennis champion Richard Norris Williams, 2nd, and Watson Washburn (at right), kept the readers of American Lawn Tennis magazine apprised of the events happening oversees, and especially news of tennis players serving the war effort.
United States Navy at the Newport Casino during WWI (1917) by unidentifiedInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
The United States Navy at the Newport Casino
The Newport Casino Invitational Tournament was cancelled in 1917 and 1918. In 1917, the United States Navy commandeered the Newport Casino for the duration of the war.
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