Wilfred Baddeley

Wilfred was a former World No. 1 British male tennis player and the elder of the Baddeley twins.

Along with his identical twin brother Herbert, England’s Wilfred Baddeley emerged late in the 19th Century, and became unmistakably a figure of deep prominence and unmistakable stature. In 1891, he claimed the Wimbledon singles title at the age of 19 years and five months, standing as the youngest of all male champions until an exuberant Boris Becker stepped forward to prevail on those hallowed lawns in 1985 at age 17. Baddeley—described by British historian John Barrett as “a sound rather than a spectacular player”—made it to six consecutive finals at Wimbledon and collected the title thrice (1891, 1892, and 1895), and secured four doubles titles alongside his brother (1891, 1894, 1895, and 1896). He was one of the most intimidating competitors of his time.

In February 1895 the brothers qualified in London as solicitors. They joined their uncle and father Thomas and E. P. Baddeley in Leadenhall Street at the family firm, founded by their great grandfather in 1790. The brothers remained partners in the firm until 1919, when they retired leaving their cousin, Cyril Baddeley, to carry on in the family name.

His brother Herbert died on July 20, 1931 in Cannes, France.

Baddeley was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.