1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge
Encyclopedia
The 1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the tenth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup
. After no country decided to challenge Australasia
in 1910, only the British Isles
and the United States would challenge for the Cup, for the third straight edition. Also for the third straight edition, the Americans would beat the British to earn the right to play for the Cup, and for the third straight edition, the Aussies would beat the Americans for the title.
For the first time, however, teams were allowed to use substitute players in dead rubbers, with the United States playing Maurice McLoughlin
in singles after Australasia had clinched the final. The final also marked the first time a tie was played in New Zealand
, when it was played at Hagley Park
in Christchurch
on 1–3 January 1912.
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
. After no country decided to challenge Australasia
Australia Davis Cup team
The Australian Davis Cup team is the second most successful team ever to compete in the Davis Cup, winning the coveted title on 23 separate occasions, second behind the United States with 32....
in 1910, only the British Isles
Great Britain Davis Cup team
The Great Britain Davis Cup team represents the United Kingdom in Davis Cup tennis competition and is controlled by the Lawn Tennis Association. The United Kingdom played in the very first International Lawn Tennis Challenge...
and the United States would challenge for the Cup, for the third straight edition. Also for the third straight edition, the Americans would beat the British to earn the right to play for the Cup, and for the third straight edition, the Aussies would beat the Americans for the title.
For the first time, however, teams were allowed to use substitute players in dead rubbers, with the United States playing Maurice McLoughlin
Maurice McLoughlin
Maurice Evans McLoughlin was an American tennis player. Known for his powerful serve and overhead volley, McLoughlin was the first male tennis champion from the western United States.-Biography:...
in singles after Australasia had clinched the final. The final also marked the first time a tie was played in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, when it was played at Hagley Park
Hagley Park
Hagley Park is the largest urban open space in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was created in 1855 by the Provincial Government. According to the government's decree at that time, Hagley Park is "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public."...
in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
on 1–3 January 1912.