Harold Mahony
Encyclopedia
Harold Segerson Mahony (13 February 1867 in Edinburgh
– 27 June 1905) was an Irish tennis
player, best known for winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1896. He was born at 21 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh to Richard John Mahony, an Irish barrister and prominent landowner. The family had a home in Scotland but spent most of their time at Dromore Castle
, in County Kerry, Ireland. Harold trained on a specially built tennis court at Dromore.
Mahony made his Wimbledon debut in 1890 exiting in the first round. He reached the semi-final in 1891 and 1892 and was a beaten finalist in 1897. Mahony spent some time in America in the mid-1890s, before returning to England and finally taking the Wimbledon crown in 1896. In the final he beat Wilfred Baddeley
of Great Britain 6-2, 6-8, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3.
At the 1900 Summer Olympics
in Paris (France) he won a silver medal in the men's singles event
and a bronze medal in the doubles tournament (for Great Britain and Ireland
).
Mahony was 6 ft 3ins tall and possessed a formidable backhand. His forehand was less notable, his fellow-player, George Hillyard
, wrote that he "never did acquire the right method of hitting the ball on the forehand".
Mahony was killed, aged 37, in a bicycling accident near his home in Kerry.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
– 27 June 1905) was an Irish tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player, best known for winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1896. He was born at 21 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh to Richard John Mahony, an Irish barrister and prominent landowner. The family had a home in Scotland but spent most of their time at Dromore Castle
Dromore Castle
Dromore Castle is a house in Templenoe, County Kerry, Ireland, looking out over the Kenmare River. It was built in the 1830s for the Mahony family to a neo-gothic design by Sir Thomas Deane.-Building:...
, in County Kerry, Ireland. Harold trained on a specially built tennis court at Dromore.
Mahony made his Wimbledon debut in 1890 exiting in the first round. He reached the semi-final in 1891 and 1892 and was a beaten finalist in 1897. Mahony spent some time in America in the mid-1890s, before returning to England and finally taking the Wimbledon crown in 1896. In the final he beat Wilfred Baddeley
Wilfred Baddeley
Wilfred Baddeley was a British male tennis player and the elder of the Baddeley twins. His brother Herbert died on 20 July 1931 in Cannes, France.- Career :...
of Great Britain 6-2, 6-8, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3.
At the 1900 Summer Olympics
1900 Summer Olympics
The 1900 Summer Olympics, today officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1900 in Paris, France. No opening or closing ceremonies were held; competitions began on May 14 and ended on October 28. The Games were held as part of...
in Paris (France) he won a silver medal in the men's singles event
Tennis at the 1900 Summer Olympics
Four tennis events were contested at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:* medal winners database...
and a bronze medal in the doubles tournament (for Great Britain and Ireland
Great Britain and Ireland at the 1900 Summer Olympics
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland competed as Great Britain at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It was the second appearance of the European nation, after having participated in the inaugural 1896 Games...
).
Mahony was 6 ft 3ins tall and possessed a formidable backhand. His forehand was less notable, his fellow-player, George Hillyard
George Hillyard
Commander George Whiteside Hillyard, Royal Navy, was a male tennis player from the United Kingdom.Hillyard was born in Hanwell, Middlesex. He was a naval cadet aboard the HMS Bacchante in 1881....
, wrote that he "never did acquire the right method of hitting the ball on the forehand".
Mahony was killed, aged 37, in a bicycling accident near his home in Kerry.