Wimbledon Tournament Begins July 9,1877

On July 9, 1877, the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club begins its first lawn tennis tournament at Wimbledon, then an outer-suburb of London. Twenty-one amateurs showed up to compete in the Gentlemen's Singles tournament, the only event at the first Wimbledon. The winner was to take home a 25-guinea trophy.

Twenty-two men registered for the tournament, but only 21 showed up on July 9 for its first day. The 11 survivors were reduced to six the next day, and then to three. Semifinals were held on July 12, but then the tournament was suspended to leave the London sporting scene free for the Eton vs. Harrow cricket match played on Friday and Saturday. The final was scheduled for Monday, July 16, 1877 but, in what would become a common occurrence in future Wimbledon tournaments, the match was rained out.

It was rescheduled for July 19,1877 and on that day some 200 spectators paid a shilling each to see William Marshall, a Cambridge tennis "Blue," battle W. Spencer Gore, an Old Harrovian racket player. In a final that lasted only 48 minutes, the 27-year-old Gore dominated with his strong volleying game, crushing Marshall, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

In 1884, the Lady's Singles was introduced at Wimbledon, and Maud Watson won the first championship

In 1884 men's doubles championship was also played at Wimbledon for the first time

Mixed doubles and women's doubles were inaugurated in 1913.