James Anderson (tennis)

For other people with the same name, see James Anderson (disambiguation).

James Anderson
Anderson during the 1922 Davis Cup
Full nameJames Outram Anderson
Country (sports) Australia
Born(1894-09-17)17 September 1894
Enfield, Australia
Died22 December 1973(1973-12-22) (aged 79)
Gosford, Australia
Turned pro1926
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF2013 (member page)
Singles
Career record159–35 (81.9%)[1]
Career titles15[1]
Highest rankingNo. 3 (1923, A. Wallis Myers)[2]
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenW (1922, 1924, 1925)
WimbledonSF (1922, 1925)
US OpenSF (1921)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenW (1924)
WimbledonW (1922)
Team competitions
Davis CupW (1919)

James Outram Anderson (17 September 1894 – 22 December 1973), commonly known as J.O. Anderson, was an Australian tennis player.

Personal life

Anderson was the eighth child of James Outram Anderson and his wife Patience (née Laycock). He was educated at Camden Grammar School.

He married Maud Irene Whitfield (died 1955) on 24 March 1917. They had five children. He married a widow, Mabel Little, on 18 November 1957. Anderson died on 22 December 1973 at Gosford. He was survived by his second wife, as well as the son and four daughters of his first marriage.[3]

In 2013, Anderson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.[4]

Career

Anderson is best remembered for his three victories at his home tournament: the Australasian Championships in 1922, 1924 and 1925.[5] Anderson also won the doubles tournament at the 1922 Wimbledon Championships and 1924 Australian Championships.[6] He was celebrated in Australia for his mascot, a large toy kangaroo which he brought on court.[7]

Between 1919 and 1925 Anderson played in 15 ties for the Australian Davis Cup team and compiled a record of 28 wins and 8 losses.[8]

From 1929 to 1934, Anderson had an endorsement deal with the Alexander Patent Racket Company in Launceston, Tasmania, to produce a range of 'J.O. Anderson' tennis racquets.[9][10]

Playing Style

Anderson's best shot was his forehand drive, which he hit with very little topspin. He mastered this shot to compensate for his weak backhand shot. Anderson was nicknamed 'The Greyhound' for his quickness on the tennis court.[7]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 3 titles

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Win 1922 Australian Championships Grass Australia Gerald Patterson 6–0, 3–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
Win 1924 Australian Championships Grass Australia Richard Schlesinger 6–3, 6–4, 3–6, 5–7, 6–3
Win 1925 Australian Championships Grass Australia Gerald Patterson 11–9, 2–6, 6–2, 6–3

Doubles: 6 (2 titles, 4 runners-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1919 Australian Championships Grass United Kingdom Arthur Lowe Australia Pat O'Hara Wood
Australia Ronald Thomas		 5–7, 1–6, 9–7, 6–3, 3–6
Loss 1922 Australian Championships Grass Australia Norman Peach Australia John Hawkes
Australia Gerald Patterson		 10–8, 0–6, 0–6, 5–7
Win 1922 Wimbledon Grass United Kingdom Randolph Lycett Australia Pat O'Hara Wood
Australia Gerald Patterson		 3–6, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3, 11–9
Win 1924 Australian Championships Grass Australia Norman Brookes Australia Pat O'Hara Wood
Australia Gerald Patterson		 6–2, 6–4, 6–3
Loss 1925 Australian Championships Grass Australia Fred Kalms Australia Pat O'Hara Wood
Australia Gerald Patterson		 4–6, 6–8, 5–7
Loss 1926 Australian Championships Grass Australia Pat O'Hara Wood Australia John Hawkes
Australia Gerald Patterson		 1–6, 4–6, 2–6

References

  1. ^ a b "James Outram Anderson: Career match record". thetennisbase.com. Tennismem SAL. Retrieved 27 July 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ United States Lawn Tennis Association (1972). Official Encyclopedia of Tennis (First Edition), p. 424.
  3. ^ O'Farrell, Virginia, "Anderson, James Outram (1894–1973)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 9 November 2021
  4. ^ "Congratulations to the Class of 2013!". International Tennis Hall of Fame.
  5. ^ "Australian Open results archive – James Anderson". Tennis Australia.
  6. ^ "Wimbledon player archive – James Anderson". AELTC.
  7. ^ a b "International Tennis Hall of Fame". www.tennisfame.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Davis Cup player archive". International Tennis Federation (ITF).
  9. ^ Green, Christopher (2011). What a racket! : the illustrated story of the Alexander Patent Racket Co. Ltd., Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 1925-1961. Launceston, Tas.: Bokprint Pty. Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9871085-0-0. OCLC 733310743.
  10. ^ "Advertising". Mercury. 28 September 1929. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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