Anthony Wilding with Arthur Balfour at Wimbledon
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Anthony Wilding with Arthur Balfour at Wimbledon
Photograph of New Zealand tennis player, Anthony Frederick Wilding, Wimbledon Mens Champion in 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1913 with Arthur Balfour, British conservative M.P. Prime Minister and tennis enthusiast at Wimbledon in 1914. His championship run came to an end that year when he was beaten by Australian, N. E. Brookes in three straight sets. Wilding would be dead within a year; he was killed near Neuve Chapelle, France on 9 May 1915 while fighting in the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14141258
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Anthony Arthur Balfour Champion Championship Conservative Minister Personalities Player Players Politicians Prime Sportsmen Tennis Wilding Wimbledon
EDITORS COMMENTS
An Unforgettable Encounter at Wimbledon: Anthony Wilding and Arthur Balfour in 1914 This evocative photograph captures a moment of sporting history and political intrigue, as New Zealand tennis champion Anthony Frederick Wilding (1883-1915) shares a light-hearted moment with Arthur Balfour, 3rd Earl of Balfour and Conservative M.P. who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905. The image was taken at the prestigious Wimbledon Championships in 1914, a time when Wilding was at the height of his tennis career. Wilding's impressive run at Wimbledon began in 1910, and he went on to win the Men's Singles title for the next three consecutive years. However, his championship run came to an end in 1914 when he was defeated by Australian player Norman Brookes in three straight sets. This defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Wilding, who was determined to defend his title and make it four in a row. Despite his disappointment, Wilding's encounter with Balfour at Wimbledon that year proved to be a memorable one. Balfour, an avid tennis enthusiast and supporter of the sport, no doubt relished the opportunity to meet the reigning champion. The Prime Minister's presence at the tournament added an air of prestige and excitement to the event. Tragically, this photograph marks the last time Wilding would be seen in a peaceful setting. Within a year, he would be dead. On May 9, 1915, Wilding was killed near Neuve Chapelle, France, while fighting in the Battle of Aubers Ridge during World War I. His loss was deeply felt by the tennis community and beyond, as Wilding was not only a talented athlete but also a respected and beloved figure. This poignant image serves as a reminder of the intersection of sport and history, and the fleeting nature of even the greatest achievements.
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