The Sussex County Lawn Tennis Tournament was an early men's tennis tournament held from 1880 to 1885. It consisted of a spring tournament usually held in April and another held in autumn usually September. It was a forerunner event for the later Sussex Championships formally called the Sussex County Championships that were first staged in 1889 and are still being staged today.
History The Sussex County Lawn Tennis Tournament was a brief pre-open era autumn tennis tournament originally played on outdoor asphalt courts at Brighton and Hove Rink, England with the exception of the 1884 event that was played on grass courts. In 1882 the organisers staged a spring event in June also played on asphalt courts, but for only two editions. There were just four editions of this event but it did feature two future Wimbledon Men's singles champions, the Renshaw twins. It was a forerunner event for the later Sussex Championships also called Sussex County Championships that were first staged in 1889.Garcia, Gabriel.
Spring tournament Men's singles
Year Winner Runner up Surface Score 1882 Robert Wallace Glen Lee Braddell Donald Charles StewartWood (i)6–1, 6–8, 0–6, 6–2, 6–2.A. Nieuwland 1883 Charles Walder Grinstead Donald Charles StewartGrass6–3, 6–8, 8–10, 6–4, 6–1.
Autumn tournament Incomplete list of tournaments included:
Men's singles Year Winner Runner up Surface Score 1880 William Renshaw Ernest RenshawAsphalt6-1 6-8 0-6 6-2 6–2. 1881 Michael Gallwey McNamara Champion RussellAsphalt2-6 6-2 6-0 6–1. 1882 Herbert Wilberforce Michael Gallwey McNamaraAsphalt6-1 6-8 0-6 6-2 6–2. 1883 Herbert Wilberforce Charles Walder GrinsteadAsphalt6-3 6-8 8-10 6-4 6–1. 1884 Charles Lacy Sweet Charles Walder Grinstead Grass0–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–3 1885 Charles Walder Grinstead William TaylorAsphaltw.o.
Women's singles Year Winner Runner up SurfaceScore 1880 Ellen Maltby Mary Ann Maltby Asphalt6–3, 6–3 1881 Edith Coleridge Leila LodwickAsphalt6–5, 6–2 1885 Miss Hudson Constance Bryan Asphalt6–1, 6–4
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