Ernest James Renshaw (3 January 1861 – 2 September 1899) was a British tennis player who was active in the late 19th century.

Together with his twin brother William Renshaw, Ernest won the men's doubles at Wimbledon five times. He also won the singles championship at Wimbledon once, in 1888 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1983. He won the singles title at the Irish Championships on four occasions (1883, 1887, 1888, 1892). Ernest was the older of the brothers by 15 minutes and half an inch taller.

The boom in popularity of the game during the 1880s due to the modern tennis style of the Renshaw brothers became known as the 'Renshaw Rush'.

Death He died of the effects of carbolic acid, but evidence could not prove whether it had been taken intentionally or not.

In 1983, Ernest Renshaw was elected posthumously into the International Tennis Hall of Fame together with his brother. In 2020, a street in Leamington Spa was named after his brother and him, Renshaw Drive.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (1 title, 4 runners-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScoreLoss 1882Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw 6–1, 2–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–2Loss 1883Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw 2–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3Loss 1887Wimbledon Grass Herbert Lawford 1–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4Win 1888Wimbledon Grass Herbert Lawford 6–3, 7–5, 6–0Loss 1889Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw 6–4, 6–1, 3–6, 6–0

Doubles (5 titles) ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreWin1884Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw Ernest Lewis E.L. Williams6–3, 6–1, 1–6, 6–4Win1885Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw C.E. Farrer A.J. Stanley6–3, 6–3, 10–8Win1886Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw C.E. Farrer A.J. Stanley6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5Win1888Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw Herbert Wilberforce Patrick Bowes-Lyon2–6, 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3Win1889Wimbledon Grass William Renshaw Ernest Lewis George Hillyard6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 0–6, 6–1

Performance timeline

Events with a challenge round: (WC) won; (CR) lost the challenge round; (FA) all comers' finalist

(OF) only for French club members 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 SR Win %Grand Slam tournaments French Not heldOFOFOF0 / 0––Wimbledon A A AQF3RCRCRSFFAQFFWCCR ASF A2R1 / 1232–1174.4U.S.NHNHNHNH A A A A A A A A A A A A A0 / 0––Australian Not held0 / 0––Win–loss 3–1 2–1 5–1 4–1 3–1 4–1 2–1 2–1 5–0 0–1 2–1 0–1

References

External links