Irving Wright
Irving Christian Wright (1882–1953) was an American male tennis player who was active in the early 20th century.
| Full name | Irving Christian Wright |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  USA |
| Born | May 13, 1882 Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | 23 June 1953 (aged 71)[1] Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| US Open | QF (1915, 1920) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| US Open | F (1917) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
| US Open | W (1917, 1918) |
Career
In 1907 Irving won the Long Island Lawn Tennis Championship.[2] In 1917 he won the U.S. National Championship mixed doubles championship with Norwegian Molla Bjurstedt by defeating Bill Tilden and Florence Ballin in three sets. The next year he successfully defended the title, this time partnering Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman, winning against Molla Bjurstedt and Fred Alexander in straight sets.[3]
In 1917 he also reached the final of the U.S. National Championship men's doubles competition with Harry Johnson but lost in straight sets to Fred Alexander and Harold Throckmorton.
Irving was the son of George Wright, an American baseball pioneer and one of the founders of the Wright & Ditson sporting goods firm and the brother of U.S. Championship winner and Olympic gold medalist Beals Wright. Together they won the men's doubles title at the Canadian Tennis Championship four times (1902, 1903, 1904, 1905).[4] Irving Wright was president of Longwood Cricket Club and vice president of A. G. Spalding.[1]
Grand Slam finals
Doubles (1 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1917 | U.S. Championships | Grass | Harry Johnson | Fred Alexander Harold Throckmorton | 9–11, 4–6, 4–6 |
Mixed doubles (2 titles)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1917 | U.S. Championships | Grass |  Molla Bjurstedt | Florence Ballin Bill Tilden | 10–12, 6–1, 6–3 |
| Winner | 1918 | U.S. Championships | Grass | Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman | Molla Bjurstedt Fred Alexander | 6–2, 6–4 |
References
- "The Tampa Tribune, June 24 1953, Page 22". Newspapers.com.
- "Tennis Title Goes to Boston Player" (PDF). The New York Times. May 26, 1907.
- Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 481. ISBN 978-0942257700.
- "Wright Brothers Win at Tennis" (PDF). The New York Times. July 13, 1902.