Ernest Renshaw

English tennis player

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July 23, 2026

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Ernest Renshaw, an English twin, was a dominant force in Wimbledon tennis during the 1880s. Alongside his brother William, he is credited with popularizing tennis as a spectator sport. Ernest won the Wimbledon men's singles championship in 1888 and, with William, secured the British men's doubles championship seven times. Their introduction of hard serves and volleys in 1880 significantly impacted the game's development. The Renshaw brothers' exciting play and warm personalities made them beloved figures in the sport's early history.12

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Renshaw brothers
Ernest was victorious in 1888. Together they won the British men’s doubles championship seven times. At Oxford, where that tournament was originally held, they introduced hard serves and volleys to the game when they first appeared together in 1880; they won that year, and they…
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Ernest was victorious in 1888. Together they won the British men’s doubles championship seven times. At Oxford, where that tournament was originally held, they introduced hard serves and volleys to the game when they first appeared together in 1880; they won that year, and they…
Read More

tennis
Outstanding players
…remarkable twin brothers William and Ernest Renshaw. William won the Wimbledon singles championship seven times, on three occasions defeating his brother in the final. Ernest was victorious once, and in partnership they won the doubles championship, first played at Oxford in 1879, seven times.
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…remarkable twin brothers William and Ernest Renshaw. William won the Wimbledon singles championship seven times, on three occasions defeating his brother in the final. Ernest was victorious once, and in partnership they won the doubles championship, first played at Oxford in 1879, seven times.
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