South of France Championships

The South of France Championships ^[1] its original name or Championnats du Sud de la France also known as the Championships of the South of France and the Championship of Southern France was a tennis event held from 1895 through 1971 it was originally played at the Nice Lawn Tennis Club in Nice, France. It was one of the tournaments of the French Riviera tennis circuit.

South of France Championships Championnats du Sud de la France
Defunct tennis tournament
Founded	1895
Abolished	1971
Editions	76
Location	Nice, France
Venue	Nice Lawn Tennis Club
Surface	Clay / outdoor

History

Lawn tennis was introduced to French Riviera by English, who decided to holiday on the Cote d'Azur after Queen Victoria vacationed there during the late 1800s. The Riviera season was usually December through to March and a number of events would be staged in Nice the South of France Championships was considered the best of these early continental tournaments ^[2] other events founded around this time included the Nice Championships, the Nice Lawn Tennis Club Championships and later the Nice International. Nice Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1890 at Place Mozart. In 1895 the South of France Championships tournament began, the dates the event was held fluctuated between February, March and April annually the club and championships changed location to Parc Imperial Avenue Suzanne Lenglen in 1923.^[3] It was one of the earliest events open to international players, the tournament survived for a period of 76 years until 1971.

Finals

Notes: Challenge Round: The final round of a tournament, in which the winner of a single-elimination phase faces the previous year's champion, who plays only that one match. The challenge round was used in the early history of tennis (from 1877 through 1921) in some tournaments not all. * Indicates challenger

Men's singles

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score
1895 [4]	A. F. Thomas	Victor Voss	?
1896 [5]	Joseph Hamilton De Robiglio	?	?
1897 [6]	Reginald Doherty	Victor Voss	6–2, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
1898	Laurence Doherty	James Robert Hay-Gordon	6–1, 6–2, 6–1
1899	Reginald Doherty (2)	Victor Voss	6–0, 6–0, 6–0
1900	Laurence Doherty (2)	Reginald Doherty	walkover
1901	Laurence Doherty (3)	Wilberforce Eaves	6–2, 6–3, 6–2
1902	Laurence Doherty (4)	Reginald Doherty	walkover
1903 [7]	Laurence Doherty (5)	Sydney Howard Smith	5–7, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
1904 [8]	Laurence Doherty (6)	Major Ritchie	6–2, 6–3, 6–3
1905 [9]	Laurence Doherty (7)	Edward Roy Allen	6–3, 7–5, 7–5
1906	Laurence Doherty (8)	Anthony Wilding	6–3, 8–6, 6–2
1907	Anthony Wilding[10]	Major Ritchie	6–0, 6–0, 6–3
1908	Anthony Wilding (2)	Major Ritchie	6–0, 6–1, 6–2
1909	Fred Alexander	Major Ritchie	6–2, 6–1, 6–2
1910 [11]	Max Decugis	Major Ritchie	6–2, 6–4, 3–6, 13–11
1911	Anthony Wilding (3)	Max Decugis	9–7, 6–0, 6–3
1912	Max Decugis	Maurice Germot	10–8, 4–6, 6–2 retd.
1913	Max Decugis (2)	Friedrich Wilhelm Rahe	7–9, 6–2, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3
1914	Anthony Wilding (4)	Gordon Lowe	6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2
1915/1918	Not held (due to world war one)
1919	Max Decugis (3)	Nicolae Mișu	6–3, 6–2, 6–1
1920 [12]	Mikhail Sumarokov-Elston	Alain Gerbault	7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 3–6, 6–1
1921 [12]	Mikhail Sumarokov-Elston (2)	Mino Balbi De Robbeco	6–1, 6–1, 6–0
1922	Mikhail Sumarokov-Elston (3)	Henri Cochet	6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5
1923	Gordon Lowe	Randolph Lycett	9–7, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
1924	René Lacoste	Jean Washer	6–1, 6–0, 3–6, 7–9, 6–3
1925 [13]	René Lacoste (2)	Gordon Lowe	6–1, 6–4, 6–3
1926	Uberto De Morpurgo	Henri Cochet	1–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–3
1927	Hermann von Artens[14]	Brame Hillyard	2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–3, 10–8
1928	Charles Aeschlimann	George Lyttleton-Rogers	7–5, 9–7, 6–1
1929 [15]	Emmanuel du Plaix	Hermann von Artens	3–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
1930 [16]	Bill Tilden	George Lyttleton-Rogers	4–6, 8–6, 6–1, 4–6, 6–0
1931 [16]	George Lyttleton-Rogers	Christian Boussus	4–6, 0–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–0
1932	Jacques Brugnon	George Lyttleton-Rogers	6–2, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
1933	George Lyttleton-Rogers (2)	Max Ellmer [17]	6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 4–6, 8–6
1934	George Lyttleton-Rogers (3)	Herman von Artens	2–6, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
1935	Wilmer Hines[18]	Max Ellmer	6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4
1936	Jean Lesueur[19]	William W. Robertson	6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3
1937	Kho Sin-Kie	Jean Lesueur	13-11, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3
1938	Kho Sin-Kie (2)	Max Ellmer	6–1, 2–6, 6–0, 8–6
1939	Constantin Tănăsescu	Kho Sin-Kie	2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
1940/1943	Not held (due to world war two)
1944	Pierre Pellizza	Henri Pellizza	6–2, 5–7, 6–3
1945	not played
1946	Pierre Pellizza (2)	Yvon Petra	12-10, 5–7, 6–0, 6–1
1947	József Asbóth	Torsten Johansson	6–2, 6–4, 6–3
1948	József Asbóth (2)	Jaroslav Drobný	8–6, 6–1, 6–3
1949	Milan Branović	Dragutin Mitić	6–4, 6–8, 4–2 ret.
1950	Budge Patty	Tony Trabert	6–2, 6–4
1951	Sven Davidson	Straight Clark	6–4, 3–6, 1–6, 7–5, 6–2
1952	Owen Williams	Igor Scherbatoff	6–1, 6–2
1953	Armando Vieira	József Asbóth	6–1, 6–1
1954	Tony Vincent	Paul Rémy	6–3, 6–3, 6–1
1955	Władysław Skonecki	Jaroslav Drobný	walkover
1956	Paul Rémy	Pierre Darmon	6–2, 6–1, 6–0
1957	Jacques Brichant	Bobby Wilson	9–11, 6–3, 6–2, 7–9, 6–4
1958	Not held (due to rain)
1959	István Gulyás	Torben Ulrich	0–6, 4–6, 9–7 6–4, 3–3 retd.
1960	Warren Woodcock	Barry Phillips-Moore	6–3, 6–2, 6–1
1961	Pierre Darmon	Warren Woodcock	6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–1
1962	Pierre Darmon (2)	Wilhelm Bungert	6–1, 6–1, 0–6, 6–2
1963	Pierre Darmon (3)	István Gulyás	8–10, 6–3, 6–2, 7–5
1964	Sergio Tacchini	Jean-Noël Grinda	6–4, 4–0 ret.
1965	István Gulyás (2)	Milan Holeček	6–1, 6–1, 7–5
1966	István Gulyás (3)	Daniel Contet	6–1, 6–0, 13–11
1967	Jean-Pierre Courcol	Eduardo Zuleta	6–2, 2–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4
1968	Alex Metreveli	Barry Phillips-Moore	9–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
↓  Open era  ↓
1969	Georges Goven	Daniel Contet	6-3, 6-1, ret.
1970	Jean-François Caujolle	Jean-Loup Rouyer	5–7, 6–1, 6–3

Women's singles

Year	Champions	Runners-up	Score
1899	Mildred Brooksmith	Marguerite Chalier	6–3, 6–0
1900	Clara von der Schulenburg
1901	Blanche Hillyard	Clara von der Schulenburg	6–4, 6–3
1902	Clara von der Schulenburg (2)	Mildred Brooksmith	6–3, 6–3
1903	Toupie Lowther	Clara von der Schulenburg	1–6, 6–1, 6–2
1904	Clara von der Schulenburg (3)	de Robiglio	8–6, 7–5
1905	Connie Wilson	Clara von der Schulenburg	6–1, 2–6, 6–4
1906	Toupie Lowther (2)	Gladys Eastlake-Smith	6–4, 5–7, 6–3
1907	Gladys Eastlake-Smith	Margit Madarász	10–8, 6–1
1908	Dorothea Lambert Chambers	Rosamund Salusbury	6–1, 6–1
1909	Clara von der Schulenburg (4)	Jessie Tripp	6–1, 6–8, 6–0
1910	Rosamund Salusbury	Clara von der Schulenburg	6–4, 3–6, 6–3
1911	Dagmar von Krohn	Hedwig Neresheimer	6–2, 2–6, 6–3
1912	Jessie Tripp	Margaret Tripp	default
1913	Dagmar von Krohn (2)	Blanche Colston	6–3, 6–1
1914	Dorothea Lambert Chambers (2)	M Stuart	6–2, 6–0
1915/1918	Not held (due to world war one)
1919	Suzanne Lenglen	Doris Wolfson	6–0, 6–0
1920	Geraldine Beamish	Suzanne Lenglen	default
1921	Suzanne Lenglen (2)	M. Septier	6–1, 6–1
1922	Elizabeth Ryan	Geraldine Beamish	3–6, 6–3, 6–1
1923	Suzanne Lenglen (3)	Elizabeth Ryan	6–1, 6–0
1924 [20]	Suzanne Lenglen (4)	Phyllis Covell	6–2, 6–1
1925 [21]	Suzanne Lenglen (5)	Ermyntrude Harvey	walkover
1926 [22]	Helen Wills	Isabella Mumford	6–0, 6–1
1927	Lilí Álvarez	Phyllis Satterthwaite	6–3, 6–3
1928	Paula von Reznicek	Cilly Aussem	6–3, 6–2
1929	Paula von Reznicek (2)	Phyllis Covell	6–8, 6–2, 6–4
1930	Cilly Aussem	Carolyn Hirsch	6–0, 6–2
1931	Phyllis Satterthwaite	Paulette Marjollet	6–1, 6–3
1932	Elizabeth Ryan (2)	Phyllis Satterthwaite	6–3, 1–6, 6–2
1933	Sheila Hewitt	Cilly Aussem	6–4, 6–3
1934	Muriel Thomas	Mary Hardwick	6–1, 6–0
1935	Simonne Mathieu	Edith Belliard	10–12, 7–5, 6–3
1936	Simonne Mathieu (2)	Phyllis Satterthwaite	6–1, 6–0
1937	Simonne Mathieu (3)	Anita Lizana	6–3, 2–6, 7–5
1938	Gracyn Wheeler	Gem Hoahing	6–4, 6–2
1939	Simonne Mathieu (4)	Gracyn Wheeler	6–0, 6–2
1940/1945	Not held (due to world war two)
1946	Event not held
1947	Alice Weiwers	?	?
1948	Annelies Ullstein Bossi	?	?
1949	Myriam De Borman	?	?
1950	Gussie Moran	Josette Amouretti	6–0, 6–0
1951	Doris Hart	Shirley Fry	4–6, 6–3, 6–3
1952	Márta Peterdy	?	?
1953	Joan Curry	Shirley Bloomer	6–4, 6–1
1954	Joan Curry (2)	Christiane Mercelis	7–5, 6-8, 12–10
1955	Anne-Marie Seghers	Joan Curry	6–1, 6–4
1956	Christiane Mercelis	Ingrid Metzner	6–0, 7–5
1957	Christiane Mercelis (2)	Jacqueline Kermina	4–6, 6–1, 6–1
1958	Not held (due to rain)
1959	Yola Ramírez	Paule Courteix	6–2, 6–4
1960	Edda Buding	Renate Ostermann	4–6, 6–3, 8–6
1961	Margaret Smith	Flo de la Courtie	9–7, 6–4
1962	Zsuzsa Körmöczy	Rita Bentley	6–4, 6–4
1963	Jan Lehane	Janine Lieffrig	7–5, 6–2
1964	Almut Sturm	Christiane Mercelis	0–6, 6–2, 6–4
1965	Helga Schultze	Jill Blackman	7–5, 6–2
1966	Sonja Pachta	Jill Blackman	6–4, 6–4
1967	Winnie Shaw	Joan Gibson Cottrill	6–4, 6–2
1968	Gail Sherriff	Robin Blakelock-Lloyd	9–7, 6–4
↓  Open era  ↓
1969	Peaches Bartkowicz	Gail Sherriff Chanfreau	6–3, 6–4
1970	Helga Niessen	Julie Heldman	6–1, 6–1
1971	Jill Cooper	Marijke Schaar	6–1, 6–1

Records

Men's singles

Source: The Tennisbase included ^[23]

• Most titles: Laurence Doherty, (8)
• Most consecutive titles: Laurence Doherty, (7)
• Most finals: Laurence Doherty, (8)
• Most consecutive finals: Laurence Doherty, (7)
• Most matches played: Pierre Darmon, (39)
• Most matches won: Pierre Darmon, (33)
• Most consecutive match wins: Anthony Wilding, and Laurence Doherty, (19)
• Most editions played: Georges Goven, (12)
• Best match winning %: Laurence Doherty and Reginald Doherty (100%)
• Longest final: Jacques Brichant v Bobby Wilson, result: 9–11, 6–3, 6–2, 7–9, 6–4 (63 games), (1957)
• Shortest final: Armando Vieira v József Asbóth, result: 6–1, 6–1 (14 games) (1953)
• Shortest final: Sergio Tacchini v Jean-Noël Grinda, result: 6–4, 4–0 retired (14 games) (1964)
• Title won with the fewest games lost, Anthony Wilding, (12), (1908)
• Oldest champion: Gordon Lowe, 38y 8m and 23d, (1923)
• Youngest champion: René Lacoste, 19y 8m and 9d, (1924)

See also

• Monte-Carlo Masters
• Open de Nice Côte d'Azur

References

1. "Suzanne Lenglen Rounding Into Form". Ottawa Citizen. 17 March 1924 – via Google News Archive.
2. Wilding F., Anthony (3 January 1912). "Modern Lawn Tennis". The Press. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
3. Little (2014), pp. 426–431
4. Little (2014), p. 34
5. "South of France Championships 1896". Tennis Archives. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
6. Little (2014), p. 40
7. "Doherty Won Tennis Championships" (PDF). New York Times. 16 March 1903. p. 2.
8. "South of France Championships 1904". Tennis Archives. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
9. Volley (24 May 1905). "Lawn Tennis". Star. p. 4 – via Papers Past.
10. "Wilding Wins at Nice". New Zealand Herald. 21 March 1907. p. 5 – via Papers Past.
11. "Wilding's Victories". New Zealand Herald. 7 March 1911. p. 5 – via Papers Past.
12. "Count Mikhail Sumarokov-Elston". RusArtNet. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
13. Huka (23 May 1925). "Lawn Tennis". Evening Post. p. 19 – via Papers Past.
14. "Player Profile: Herman Von Artens". atpworldtour.com. ATP. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
15. "Lawn Tennis by Huka, Tildens Victories". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Evening Post Volume CX, ISSUE 11, 12 July 1930. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
16. "Lawn Tennis:Irish Championships". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Dunstan Times, 30 July 1934.
17. "Player Profile – Max Ellmer". Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
18. "Player Profile: Wilmer Hines". atpworldtour.com. ATP. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
19. "Player Profile: Jean Le Sueur". atpworldtour.com. ATP. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
20. "Suzanne Lenglen Rounding Into Form". news.google.com. Ottawa Citizen - Mar 17, 1924. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
21. "Tennis Champions". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 43, 19 February 1926. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
22. "Miss Wills Wins Again". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1926. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
23. "South of France Championships Tournament Records". thetennisbase.com. Tennismem SL. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

Sources

• Little, Allan (2014). The Golden Days of Tennis on the French Riviera, 1874-1939. London: Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. ISBN 978-0906741542.
• Ayre's Lawn Tennis Almanack And Tournament Guide, A. Wallis Myers. UK.
• Dunlop Lawn Tennis Almanack And Tournament Guide, G.P. Hughes, 1939 to 1958, Published by Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd, UK.
• Lowe's Lawn Tennis Annuals and Compendia, Lowe, Sir F. Gordon, Eyre & Spottiswoode.

External links

• Nice Lawn Tennis Club
• Tennisbase The South of France Championships-Roll of Honor