Holcombe Ward

Holcombe Ward (November 23, 1878 – January 23, 1967) was an American tennis player who was active during the last years of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th. He won the US National Championships singles title in 1904 and additionally won six doubles titles at the Grand Slam event.

Holcombe Ward
Country (sports) United States
Born(1878-11-23)November 23, 1878
New York, NY, United States
DiedJanuary 23, 1967(1967-01-23) (aged 88)
Red Bank, NJ, United States
Turned pro1895 (amateur tour)
Retired1905 (brief comeback in 1917)
PlaysRight-handed (1-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF1956 (member page)
Singles
Grand Slam Singles results
Wimbledon1R (1905)
US OpenW (1904)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
WimbledonF (1901)
US OpenW (1899, 1900, 1901, 1904, 1905, 1906)

Biography

Ward is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the US National Championships in 1904 after defeating William Clothier in straight sets in the all-comer's final.[1] He graduated from Harvard University.[2]

In 1905 Ward won the London Grass Court Championships, now known as Queen's Club Championships, after a walkover in the final against compatriot Beals Wright.[3]

Ward was a member of the USA Davis Cup Team in 1900, 1902, 1905 and 1906. In 1900 and 1902 he played the doubles match in the challenge round which the US team won against the British Isles. In total Ward played 14 Davis Cup matches in seven ties and compiled a 7–7 win-loss record.[4]

After his active career Ward became President of the USLTA (U.S. Lawn Tennis Association) from 1937 to 1947.[5]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Win1904U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass William Clothier10–8, 6–4, 9–7[6]
Loss1905U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Beals Wright2–6, 1–6, 9–11[6]

Doubles: 9 (6 titles, 3 runners-up)
Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss1898U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Dwight F. Davis George Sheldon
Leo Ware		6–1, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4, 5–7[7]
Win1899U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Dwight F. Davis George Sheldon
Leo Ware		6–4, 6–4, 6–3[7]
Win1900U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Dwight F. Davis Fred Alexander
Raymond Little		6–4, 9–7, 12–10[7]
Loss1901WimbledonGrass Dwight F. Davis Laurence Doherty
Reginald Doherty		6–4, 2–6, 3–6, 7–9[8]
Win1901U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Dwight F. Davis Leo Ware
Beals Wright		6–3, 9–7, 6–1[7]
Loss1902U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Dwight F. Davis Laurence Doherty
Reginald Doherty		9–11, 10–12, 4–6[7]
Win1904U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Beals Wright Kreigh Collins
Raymond Little		1–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1[7]
Win1905U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Beals Wright Fred Alexander
Harold Hackett		6–4, 6–4, 6–1[7]
Win1906U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Beals Wright Fred Alexander
Harold Hackett		6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3[7]

References
  1. Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 456. ISBN 978-0942257700.
  2. https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/holcombe-ward/
  3. McKelvie, Roy (1986). The Queen's Club Story, 1886-1986. London: Stanley Paul. p. 32. ISBN 0091660602.
  4. "Davis Cup - Profile Holcombe Ward". ITF. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  5. "Hall of Famers - Profile Holcombe Ward". International Tennis Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  6. "US Open Past Champions / Men's Singles". US Open official website. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  7. "US Open Past Champions / Men's Doubles". US Open official website. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  8. "Wimbledon Rolls of Honour / Gentlemen's Doubles". Wimbledon official tournament website. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
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