He held a Wimbledon record for 128 years until Roger Federer surpassed him in 2017

Follow us on Google Discover

Wimbledon is the most historic of the four Grand Slams, taking place for the first time in 1877.

The first edition of Wimbledon was won by Britain’s Spencer Gore, who also competed as a first-class cricketer.

Gore’s fellow Brits Frank Hadow and John Hartley shared the next three titles, before one star began to dominate at SW19.

Winning more titles than anyone else, he held the record for over 100 years until Roger Federer won his final Wimbledon title in 2017.

But who was the man who stood atop the Wimbledon mountain for 128 years?

William Renshaw won seven Wimbledon titles – a record that stood for 128 years

Competing at the fifth Wimbledon tournament, William Renshaw took to the grass in 1881 in search of his first Grand Slam title.

Taking on two-time defending champion Hartley in the final, Renshaw was far too good, winning the title in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, 6-1.

Returning to the final in 1882, Renshaw came face to face with his brother, Ernest Renshaw, whom he beat in five sets 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Renshaw continued to win at the All England Club, securing six consecutive titles between 1881 and 1886, a record that stands to this day.

He was, however, unable to defend his title in 1887, picking up an injury more commonly known today as ‘tennis elbow’.

It was the first time such an injury had received attention from the public as the six-time defending champion was forced to skip Wimbledon.

Returning to the final in 1889, Renshaw won his seventh and final singles title, defeating his brother once more.

He did qualify for the final a year later, but fell to Willoughby Hamilton in five sets, 8-6, 2-6, 6-3, 1-6, 1-6.

Renshaw was also successful in doubles, picking up five Wimbledon titles (1884, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1889) alongside his brother.

Retiring from tennis in 1896, Renshaw sadly passed away just eight years later, aged 43.

His legacy has stood the test of time, and his seven titles weren’t matched for over 100 years, until Pete Sampras clinched his seventh and final title in 2000.

Renshaw and Sampras then shared the top spot for 17 years until Federer surpassed them both in 2017.

Roger Federer’s record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title

The Swiss legend was a class above on the ATP Tour for years, enjoying particular success at Wimbledon, where he won seven of his ten finals between 2003 and 2015.

Moving level with Renshaw and Sampras in 2012 with his seventh title, Federer was made to wait five years for another Wimbledon triumph.

After two final defeats to Novak Djokovic in 2014 and 2015, Federer returned to the championship match in 2017.

Standing between Federer and a place in the Wimbledon record books was Croatia’s Marin Cilic, a Grand Slam winner at the US Open three years earlier.

In straight sets, Federer dismantled Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4, to win a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title.

Federer shared his thoughts on winning his eighth title during his post-match press conference.

“It is very special. Wimbledon was always my favorite tournament, will always be my favorite tournament. My heroes walked the grounds here and walked the courts here. Because of them, I think I became a better player, too,” he said.

“To mark history here at Wimbledon really means a lot to me just because of all of that really. It’s that simple.”

Federer remains the most successful player in Wimbledon history, although with Serbia’s Djokovic just one behind on seven, his time alone at the top may not last much longer.

Djokovic will begin his search for an eighth Wimbledon title when the tournament begins on Monday, June 30.