1877 men's tennis season

The 1877 men's tennis season^[1][2] was composed of 5 tournaments. Before the birth of Open Era (tennis), most tournaments were reserved for amateur athletes. In 1874 British Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented with the House of London Crafts the invention of a new game, which consisted of a shaped field hourglass, divided in the middle by a suspended net. The game was packaged in a box containing some balls, four paddles, the net components and the signs to mark the field. The game was based on the rules of the old real tennis and, at the suggestion of Arthur Balfour, was called lawn-tennis. The official date of birth of the court would be February 23, 1874. In 1877 all were amateur tournaments, among them was the first 1877 Wimbledon Championship, the inaugural event was held from 9 to 19 July and saw as the inaugural winner Spencer Gore. The tournament would remain for a period of 35 years the sole major tennis tournament in the world until the International Lawn Tennis Federation introduces its three World championship series events in 1913 that continue until 1923, when the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association (f. 1881) only agrees to join the ILTF on the basis of two compromises: the title 'World Championships' would be abolished and wording would be 'for ever in the English language'. Wimbledon would still retain its prestigious and historical status,^[3] and become one of the four Grand Slam tennis events from 1924.

Duration19 July – 9 October

Tournaments5

CategoriesImportant (1)
National (1)
Regular (3)

Most titlesNo outright leader

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1877 men's tennis season

English tennis player Spencer Gore (1850-1906), first Wimbledon Champion (1877) 19 April 1906.
Details
Duration	19 July – 9 October
Tournaments	5
Categories	Important (1) National (1) Regular (3)
Achievements (singles)
Most titles	No outright leader
Most finals	No outright leader
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Whilst Wimbledon was the most prominent event of this inaugural new sport season in Ireland two other tournaments were also staged, one taking place in Waterford and the other was University of Dublin Lawn Tennis Championships.