Laurence Doherty

Hugh Laurence "Laurie" Doherty (8 October 1875 – 21 August 1919) was a British tennis player and the younger brother of tennis player Reginald Doherty. He was a six-time Grand Slam champion and a double Olympic Gold medalist at the 1900 Summer Olympics in singles and doubles (also winning a Bronze in mixed doubles). In 1903 he became the first non-American player to win the U.S. National Championships.[3]

Laurence Doherty
Full nameHugh Laurence Doherty
Country (sports) United Kingdom
Born(1875-10-08)8 October 1875
Wimbledon, England
Died21 August 1919(1919-08-21) (aged 43)
Broadstairs, England
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Retired1906
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF1980 (member page)
Singles
Career record293–38 (88.5%)[1]
Career titles51[1]
Highest rankingNo. 1 (1898, ITHF)[2]
Grand Slam Singles results
WimbledonW (1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906)
US OpenW (1903)
Doubles
Grand Slam Doubles results
WimbledonW (1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905)
US OpenW (1902, 1903)
Team competitions
Davis CupW (1903, 1904, 1905, 1906)
Medal record
Olympic Games – Tennis
1900 Paris Singles
1900 Paris Doubles
Representing a Mixed team
1900 Paris Mixed doubles
Laurence Doherty

Early life
Laurence Doherty (right) with his brother Reginald

Doherty was born on 8 October 1875 at Beulah Villa in Wimbledon, London, the youngest son of William Doherty, a printer, and his wife, Catherine Ann Davis. Doherty was the shorter of the two brothers, at 1.78 m, who played championship tennis in their native England and at Wimbledon at the turn of the century.[4]

Like his brother he was educated at Westminster School from 1890 to 1894 followed by Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he played for and became President of the Cambridge University Lawn Tennis Club. He gained his blues in 1896, 1897, and 1898.[5][6] In 1892 Doherty won the Renshaw cup, the All-England Championships singles title for boys under 16 which was held in Scarborough.[4][6]

In addition to lawn tennis he also played real tennis and golf.[6]

Career

The brothers were reportedly urged to play tennis by their father, for health reasons.[7] Known as "Little Do",[7] Doherty won Wimbledon five consecutive times in singles and eight times in doubles with his brother. In 1903, he became the first tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament outside of his native country by beating defending champion William Larned in three straight sets in the final of the US Championships in Newport. He won the singles title at the British Covered Court Championships, played at the Queen's Club in London, six consecutive times between 1901 and 1906.[8] Additionally he won the singles title at The South of France Championships in Nice seven times in a row (1900–1906).[9]

Doherty won the singles event of the tennis competition at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. Gold medals were not given at the 1900 Games. In the semifinal he was scheduled to play against his brother but Reggie withdrew, since the brothers refused to play each other before the final.[10] In the final Doherty defeated Harold Mahony in three straight sets. Doherty also won the doubles title at the 1900 Olympic Games with his brother.[11][12] In the mixed doubles event he partnered with Marion Jones, the winner of the singles title at the 1899 U.S. Championships, and lost in the semifinal against his brother who had teamed up with Charlotte Cooper.

Between 1902 and 1906 Doherty played for the British Davis Cup team and was undefeated during this period. In 1902 he partnered his brother to win the doubles match in the challenge round against the United States but the latter retained the Cup after a 3–2 victory. In 1903 Doherty won both his singles matches as well as the doubles match to help the British Isles to their first Davis Cup victory. In 1904, 1905 and 1906 he was part of the British team that successfully defended the Cup.[13]

The brothers co-wrote R.F. and H.L. Doherty on Lawn Tennis (1903).

He gave up tennis for golf in 1906 and distinguished himself in that sport as well. In 1908 Doherty reached the last 16 of the British amateur championship at the Royal St George's course.[4][12]

In 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, Doherty joined the Anti-Aircraft branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve but was released in 1915 due to ill health.[14]

Doherty died of toxemia on 21 August 1919 at Leon Cottage in Broadstairs, Kent after suffering from tubercular nephritis and cystitis for two years. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980 together with his brother.[2][4]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 7 (6 titles, 1 runner-up)
Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss1898WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1
Win1902WimbledonGrass Arthur Gore6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 6–0
Win1903WimbledonGrass Frank Riseley7–5, 6–3, 6–0
Win1903U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass William Larned6–0, 6–3, 10–8
Win1904WimbledonGrass Frank Riseley6–1, 7–5, 8–6
Win1905WimbledonGrass Norman Brookes8–6, 6–2, 6–4
Win1906WimbledonGrass Frank Riseley6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3

Doubles: 12 (10 titles, 2 runners-up)
Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win1897WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Herbert Baddeley
Wilfred Baddeley		6–4, 4–6, 8–6, 6–4
Win1898WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Clarence Hobart
Harold Nisbet		6–4, 6–4, 6–2
Win1899WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Clarence Hobart
Harold Nisbet		7–5, 6–0, 6–2
Win1900WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Herbert Roper Barrett
Harold Nisbet		9–7, 7–5, 4–6, 3–6, 6–3
Win1901WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Dwight Davis
Holcombe Ward		4–6, 6–2, 6–3, 9–7
Loss1902WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Frank Riseley
Sydney Smith		6–4, 6–8, 3–6, 6–4, 9–11
Win1902U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Reginald Doherty Dwight Davis
Holcombe Ward		11–9, 12–10, 6–4
Win1903WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Frank Riseley
Sydney Smith		6–4, 6–4, 6–4
Win1903U.S. National ChampionshipsGrass Reginald Doherty Kreigh Collins
L. Harry Waidner		7–5, 6–3, 6–3
Win1904WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Frank Riseley
Sydney Smith		6–1, 6–2, 6–4
Win1905WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Frank Riseley
Sydney Smith		6–2, 6–4, 6–8, 6–3
Loss1906WimbledonGrass Reginald Doherty Frank Riseley
Sydney Smith		8–6, 4–6, 7–5, 3–6, 3–6

Singles titles
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
1. 16 August 1896 Essex Championship, Colchester, England [15] Grass Edward Roy Allen 6–4, 6–2, 7–5
2. 27 September 1896 Welsh Covered Court Championships, Llandudno, Wales [16] Wood (i) George Simond 6–0, 6–0
3. 27 August 1897 Suffolk Championships, Saxmundham, England Grass Charles Henry Ridding 6–3, 8–6, 4–6, 6–1
4. 18 July 1897 Queen's Club Championships, London, England[17] Grass Major Ritchie 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
5. March 1898 South of France Championships Clay J.R. Hay Gordon 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
6. March 1898 Monte Carlo Clay Count Voss 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–0 ret.
7. 18 June 1898 Northern Lawn Tennis Association Tournament, Liverpool[18] Grass Wilfred Baddeley walkover
8. 11 July 1898 Queen's Club Championships, London, England[19] Grass Harold Mahony 6–3, 6–4, 9–7
9. August 1898 Scottish Championships[20] Grass Reginald Doherty walkover
10. March 1900 South of France Championships, Nice Clay Reginald Doherty walkover
11. 11 July 1900 Olympic Games, Paris Clay Harold Mahony 6–4, 6–2, 6–3
12. 26 August 1900 The Homburg Cup, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany [21] Clay George Hillyard 7–5, 6–2, 3–6, 4–6, 6–2
13. September 1900 Dinard, France Clay Harold Mahony 4–6, 6–1, 8–6, 7–5
14. 16 September 1900 South of England Championships Grass Sidney Smith 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 6–1
15. March 1901 Cannes, France Clay George Hillyard 6–3, 6–3, ret.
16. 17 March 1901 Monte Carlo Clay Wilberforce Eaves 6–2, 5–7, 6–1
17. 24 March 1901 South of France Championships, Nice Clay Wilberforce Eaves 6–2, 6–3, 6–2
18. 27 April 1901 British Covered Court Championships[22] Wood (i) Arthur Gore 6–3, 6–1, 6–1
19. June 1901 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England[23] Grass Arthur Gore 6–1, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
20. August 1901 Buxton Championships Grass George Hillyard 6–4, 7–5, 3–6, 6–2
21. August 1901 North of England Championships, Scarborough Grass Ernest Black 6–2, 6–1, 6–1
22. March 1902 South of France Championships, Nice Clay Reginald Doherty walkover
23. April 1902 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood Major Ritchie 6–4, 6–3, 5–7, 6–3
24. May – June 1902 Irish Championships, Dublin Grass Reginald Doherty walkover
25. 15 June 1902 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England[23] Grass George Simond 6–4, 6–0, 6–3
26. June 1902 Wimbledon Championships[24] Grass Arthur Gore 6–4, 6–3, 3–6, 6–0
27. 15 October 1902 European Championships, Queen's Club, London[25] Wood (i) Harold Mahony 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–1
28. 15 March 1903 South of France Championships, Nice Clay Sidney Smith 5–7, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
29. 26 April 1903 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood (i) George Hillyard 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
30. 4 July 1903 Kent Championships, Beckenham, England[23] Grass Arthur Gore 6–1, 6–2, 6–2
31. June 1903 Wimbledon Championships Grass Frank Riseley 7–5, 6–3, 6–0
32. 1 August 1903 Nahant, USA[26] Grass William Clothier 6–4, 6–0
33. 14 August 1903 Southampton, USA[27][28] Grass Bill Larned 6–1, 6–2, 6–1
34. 27 August 1903 US National Championships, Newport, USA[29] Grass Bill Larned 6–0, 6–3, 10–8
35. 14 March 1904 South of France Championships, Nice[30] Clay Major Ritchie 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
36. 20 March 1904 Cannes Championships, France Clay Major Ritchie 6–1, 6–4, 6–1
37. April 1904 British Covered Court Championships, Queens, London Wood (i) Major Ritchie 6–2, 8–10, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3
38. 27 June 1904 Wimbledon Championships[31][32] Grass Frank Riseley 6–1, 7–5, 8–6
39. July 1904 Northumberland Championships, England Wood (i) George Ball-Greene 6–4, 6–1
40. March 1905 Monte Carlo[33] Clay Major Ritchie 6–4, 8–6, 6–4
41. March 1905 South of France Championships, Nice[34] Clay Edward Allen 6–3, 7–5, 7–5
42. 15 April 1905 British Covered Court Championships, London[35] Wood (i) Major Ritchie 6–1, 8–6, 6–2
43. July 1905 Wimbledon Championships[36] Grass Norman Brookes 8–6, 6–2, 6–4
44. 28 February 1906 Monte Carlo[37] Clay Wilberforce Eaves 6–3, 11–9
45. 18 March 1906 South of France Championships, Nice[38] Clay Anthony Wilding 6–3, 8–6, 6–2
46. 28 April 1906 British Covered Court Championships, London[8] Wood (i) Arthur Gore 6–2, 6–4, 8–6
47. July 1906 Wimbledon Championships[39][40] Grass Frank Riseley 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3
48. August 1908 Yorkshire Championships[41] Grass George Hillyard 6–1, 6–4, 6–2
49. July 1909 Nottinghamshire Championships, Nottingham[42] Grass Wilberforce Eaves 6–3, 6–4
50. Augustus 1909 North of England Championships, Scarborough[43] Grass Gordon Lowe 7–5, 6–1, 6–1
51. August 1910 North of England Championships, Scarborough[44] Grass Gordon Lowe 6–3, 6–2, 6–2

References
  1. "Laurence Doherty: Career match record". thetennisbase.com. Tennismem SAL. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  2. "Hall of Famers – Laurence Doherty". International Tennis Hall of Fame.
  3. "Laurence Doherty". Olympedia. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. Wray Vamplew. "Doherty, (Hugh) Lawrence [Laurie] (1875–1919), tennis player". Oxford University Press.
  5. "Doherty, Hugh Lawrence (DHRY896HL)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  6. Elliott, Ernest C. (1904). Fifty Leaders of British Sport : A Series of Portraits (PDF). London, New York: John Lane The Bodley Head. p. 57,58. OCLC 7215485. OL 14007858M.
  7. "Famous Tennis Player Dead: R.F. Doherty, Once American Champion, Passes Away in London", The New York Times, 30 December 1910
  8. "English Indoor Tennis" (PDF). The New York Times. 29 April 1906.
  9. Hugh Laurence Doherty (UK) Archived 9 December 2012 at Archive.today
  10. Grasso, John (16 September 2011). Historical dictionary of tennis. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 86. ISBN 9780810872370.
  11. "Olympic athletes – Hugh Lawrence Doherty". IOC.
  12. "Laurie Doherty Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  13. "Davis Cup player profile". International Tennis Federation (ITF).
  14. "Records of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve – Doherty, Hugh Lawrence". The National Archives.
  15. Garcia, Gabriel. "Laurence Doherty: Tournament results". thetennisbase.com. Spain, England: Tennismem SAL. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  16. Garcia, Gabriel. "Laurence Doherty: Tournament results". thetennisbase.com. Spain, England: Tennismem SAL. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  17. McKelvie, Roy (1986). The Queen's Club Story, 1886–1986. London: Stanley Paul. p. 31. ISBN 0091660602.
  18. "American Tennis Player Loses" (PDF). The New York Times. 19 June 1898.
  19. "LAWN TENNIS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 27 August 1898. p. 12.
  20. "Lawn Tennis". Australian Town and Country Journal. NSW: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1898. p. 48.
  21. Cox, Bruce Tarran ; foreword by Mark (2013). George Hillyard : the man who moved Wimbledon. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 68. ISBN 978-1780885490.
  22. "Doherty Beat Gore at Tennis" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 April 1901.
  23. "Kent All-Comers' Championships" (PDF). Beckenham Tennis Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2012.
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  26. "English tennis Players Win" (PDF). The New York Times. 2 August 1903.
  27. "Dohertys Won at Tennis" (PDF). The New York Times. 15 August 1903.
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  29. "Doherty's Championship" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 August 1903.
  30. "Doherty Won Tennis Championship" (PDF). The New York Times. 16 March 1903.
  31. "Doherty Won Tennis Championship" (PDF). The New York Times.
  32. "Lawn Tennis". Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 205. 27 August 1904. p. 12 – via PapersPast.
  33. Huka (20 May 1905). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  34. Volley (24 May 1905). "Lawn Tennis". Star, Issue 8324. p. 4 – via PapersPast.
  35. "Doherty Wins Tennis Championship" (PDF). The New York Times. 16 April 1905.
  36. Huka (15 July 1905). "Lawn Tennis – The All-England Championships". Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 13. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  37. Huka (30 June 1906). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 154. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  38. Volley (9 May 1906). "Lawn Tennis". Star, Issue 8618. p. 4 – via PapersPast.
  39. Huka (14 July 1906). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 12. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  40. "Sport in England". Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 197. 18 August 1906. p. 12 – via PapersPast.
  41. Huka (10 October 1908). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  42. Huka (18 September 1909). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 69. p. 14 – via PapersPast.
  43. "Lawn Tennis". Star, Issue 9674. 16 October 1909. p. 5 – via PapersPast.
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