From Gangrene to Glory: Bill Tilden's Comeback
Learn about tennis legend Bill Tilden's incredible comeback from a career-threatening hand injury.
Postcard of Bill Tilden at Wimbledon (1932) by International NewsInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
William “Big Bill” Tilden
William “Big Bill” Tilden reigned supreme over the world of tennis in the 1920s. A master strategist with a full range of strokes, Tilden was in many ways larger than the game he played. However, an injury in 1922 could have changed the trajectory of that success.
A Minor Accident on October 7, 1922
A seemingly insignificant injury—a scratch on Bill Tilden's serving hand from a collision with a chicken wire backstop on court—occurred during an exhibition match in New Jersey. He played on despite the pain.
From Scratch to Severe Infection
In the subsequent couple of weeks, Tilden's injured finger became severely infected with gangrene. His tennis career hung precariously in the balance due to the infection.
“That wonderful right hand of the champion has won him, during the past three years, a collection of lawn tennis titles equalled [sic] by no other player in the history of the game. … His loss to the game would be a calamity, incalculable and complete. … The right hand of a Tilden, and, almost equally, the most important finger [second] of that hand, is as necessary to him as is the finger of the greatest violinist, or the voice of the foremost singer.” – American Lawn Tennis (October 15, 1922)
Tilden injury headlines (1922-10) by variousInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Major headline news in the sports world
On the morning of Wednesday, October 25th, Tilden was operated on in Philadelphia with the goal of saving his hand—and his career. American Lawn Tennis provided a full and detailed report on Tilden’s injury, surgery, prognosis, and subsequent recovery in its pages.
Surgery results in partial amputation
Miss Sarah Hey, Tilden’s cousin, kept American Lawn Tennis up to date with his recovery. The magazine shared that in early November, Tilden underwent another surgery, resulting in the amputation of his middle finger at the first joint (the proximal interphalangeal joint).
Tilden returns to his winning form
For the next several months, American Lawn Tennis readers were updated about Tilden’s recovery and his return to competitive tennis in early 1923.
U.S. National Men’s Singles Championship
Though the loss to part of his finger was a setback for Tilden, he adjusted his grip and in time was able to compensate for it, playing better than ever. He even successfully defended his U.S. National Men’s Singles Championship title in September.
Bill Tilden at Queen Lane Station, Germantown, Pennsylvania (1925/1930) by unknownInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
A great champion
Bill Tilden would continue to dominate throughout the 1920s. Before turning professional in 1930, Tilden had a very impressive amateur career winning 12 major singles titles, six major doubles titles, and five major mixed doubles titles.
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