In 1937 he was crowned king, but an episode in the life of George VI. is almost forgotten today. Almost 100 years ago, in 1926, the father of the future Queen Elizabeth II took part in the Wimbledon tennis tournament. According to the Daily Mail, he is considered the only royal who has ever participated in the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. As the 2023 Wimbledon tournament kicks off, we look back on one of the most remarkable episodes in tennis tournament history.
King George VI failed in doubles in the first round
The attempt by the later King George VI, grandfather of King Charles, to present himself royally on the tennis court ended in disaster. The then Duke of York had teamed up with his former stable boy Lieutenant Colonel Louis Greig (“Wing Commander” of the Royal Air Force). This he had more of a passion for rugby and even played for the Scottish national rugby union team.
But in the first round it was over for the couple. They were beaten by the British Arthur Gore and Herbert Roper Barret 6:1, 6:3, 6:2, although at 58 and 52 they had already reached an advanced age by tennis standards. As the “Daily Mail” reports, Prince George is said to have been so nervous that the viewers began to whisper and even suggested that he try it with the other hand because his punches always went wrong.
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George VI: Level was too high – he never plays in public again
In retrospect, the later king admitted to the referee that the level was too high for him. French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen (Wimbledon champion 1919-1923, 1925), watching the game, said that with “a lot of training” he would have had “what it takes to be a champion”. And with twelve Grand Slam victories in singles, she knew what she was talking about. She is still one of the ten most successful tennis players of all time.
But Georg’s Wimbledon experience was so traumatic for him that he never played tennis in public again. After ascending the throne in 1936, Georg returned to Wimbledon a number of times, including in 1947 when he presented the American Jack Kramer with the individual trophy.
The Duchess of York, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, who had given birth to her eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, two months earlier, was also in the stands at the time. Newsreel footage from the period shows that the future “Queen Mum” was “very interested in the game,” which was watched by a large crowd.
Powerless with a wooden bat: historical photos of Georg VI. show defeat
The footage shows the king – in contrast to today’s players who always compete in shorts – in an all-white outfit consisting of crisp white pants and a t-shirt.
With a wooden bat, which was common until the late 1970s, the then 30-year-old Georg tried in vain to execute difficult shots with his partner at his side. His and Grieg’s efforts failed miserably, as contemporary witnesses report. However, the two also had to deal with opponents for whom tennis was not a leisure activity, but a profession for decades. “Tennis Royals” agree.
George VI lost to Wimbledon legends
Arthur Gore was already a Wimbledon legend during his lifetime: in 1901, 1908 and 1909 he won the Grand Slam tournament in singles, in 1909 together with Roper Barrett also in doubles. He was 41 years and seven months old when he won in 1909, making him the oldest Wimbledon winner to date.
Gore was also successful at the 1908 Olympics. He won the gold medal in singles and doubles with Herbert Roper Barrett, who was one of the greatest doubles specialists of his time. He won Wimbledon in doubles in 1909 (with Gore), 1912 and 1913 (with Charles Dixon).
However, for the Gore/Barrett doubles Wimbledon ended in the next round. There they lost to the French couple Maxime Decugis and André Gobert.
2023-07-04 10:47:10
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