Frank Hadow

Patrick Francis (Frank) Hadow (2 January 1855 – 29 June 1946) was a former World No. 1 English tennis player, who won the Wimbledon championship in 1878.

Personal life

Born 2 January 1855 Regent's Park, his father was Patrick Douglas Hadow who was educated at Harrow School and Balliol College Oxford University and became Chairman of the P&O Shipping Company.

Frank Hadow attended Harrow School along with six of his seven brothers who were known as the "Harrow Hadows". Hadow represented Harrow at rackets and the brothers were well known as distinguished cricketers. Hadow's oldest brother Douglas Robert Hadow died during the descent after the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.

Sporting career

He was the loftiest Wimbledon Champion. He played at Wimbledon whilst on holiday from his coffee plantation in Ceylon. He did not defend his title – and is therefore the male champion never to have lost a set in singles there. He returned to Wimbledon nearly half a century later to collect a commemorative medal from Queen Mary for being the oldest surviving champion.