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- History of Tennis Ireland
- 1908
- Early 20th Century - J.C. Parke
- 1920's Harry Maunsell
- 1930's George McVeagh
- 1940's - Cyril Kemp
- 1950's - J.D. Hackett
- 1960's - Alf Walsh
- 1970's - Mavis Hogg
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Early 20th Century - J.C. Parke
James Cecil Parke, of Clones, Co Monaghan, easily proved to be one of the greatest international tennis players of his time while also excelling in rugby, golf, cricket, athletics and chess. Born in 1881 in pre-independence Ireland, Parke played for the British Isles in Davis Cup, which he secured unexpectedly in 1913 in Melbourne by beating Norman Brooke in the singles finals. Parke kept a detailed diary of the team’s trip to Melbourne which shows that while he was extremely focussed on his game, he was also fully capable of enjoying his time away from home and had an excellent sense of humour.
News reports and memoirs from Parke’s time show that his style of tennis was exceptionally brilliant and his steely nerve struck fear in the heart of his every opponent. A New York Times article dated June 1920 described the spectators at a match in which Parke beat then American singles champion William Johnston as being “…agog with excitement throughout what was regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played on the historic Wimbledon court.”
Parke’s remarkable achievements made him an inspiration to sportsmen and women the world over and a significant source of pride to the Irish sporting community – without doubt his Mens doubles silver medal at the 1908 London Olympics considerably enhanced his iconic status.
News reports and memoirs from Parke’s time show that his style of tennis was exceptionally brilliant and his steely nerve struck fear in the heart of his every opponent. A New York Times article dated June 1920 described the spectators at a match in which Parke beat then American singles champion William Johnston as being “…agog with excitement throughout what was regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played on the historic Wimbledon court.”
Parke’s remarkable achievements made him an inspiration to sportsmen and women the world over and a significant source of pride to the Irish sporting community – without doubt his Mens doubles silver medal at the 1908 London Olympics considerably enhanced his iconic status.
