The 1887 U.S. National Championships, the precursor to today's US Open, was a complex and geographically dispersed tennis event. Unlike modern tournaments held at a single large complex, the various competitions of 1887 were spread across different locations and dates, reflecting the nascent organization of professional tennis. This structure provided distinct settings for the men's and women's events, each contributing to the overall fabric of the championships.
Dispersed Venues and Dates
The tournament spanned several months, from August to October 1887, with different categories of play taking place at separate venues. The men's tournament, for instance, was held from August 22 to August 30. This part of the championships, which included the men's singles, took place on the outdoor grass courts at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island. This marked the seventh edition of the men's U.S. National Championships, establishing a tradition in that location.
In contrast, the women's singles event, a groundbreaking addition to the championships, was held later in the year. It commenced on September 27 and concluded on October 5, 1887. This competition was hosted at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Wissahickon, Philadelphia, also on outdoor grass courts. The separation of the men's and women's events by both time and location highlights the distinct development paths of these competitions in their early years.
The Inaugural Women's Event in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Cricket Club played a crucial role in the history of women's tennis by hosting the inaugural women's singles event. This club, situated in Wissahickon, Philadelphia, provided the setting for Ellen Hansell's historic victory. The choice of an established cricket club as a tennis venue was common during this period, as these clubs often had the necessary grass court facilities and a membership interested in various sports.
With a draw of seven participants, the women's singles tournament was a relatively small but significant competition. The final match saw Ellen Hansell defeat Laura Knight with a score of 6–1, 6–0. This event, though modest in scale compared to later tournaments, was a foundational moment, establishing the women's singles as a permanent fixture in the U.S. National Championships and paving the way for its growth and recognition as a major tennis event.
Men's Doubles in New Jersey
Adding to the distributed nature of the 1887 championships, the men's doubles event was held at yet another location. This competition took place at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange, New Jersey. This further illustrates how the various components of the U.S. National Championships were organized across different clubs and states, rather than being consolidated into a single, unified event as is common today. The 1887 U.S. National Championships, therefore, stands as a unique example of early tennis tournament organization, characterized by its multiple venues and staggered scheduling for different categories of play.
