He is the British player who won Wimbledon seven times and held a tennis record for almost 100 years

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Wimbledon is arguably the most historic tennis tournament and has entertained fans for well over 100 years.

Spencer Gore won the first-ever Wimbledon tournament back in 1877, 148 years before Jannik Sinner’s triumph in 2025.

31 players have won multiple titles at SW19, but only a select few have won five or more.

Across singles and doubles, one British tennis legend won seven total titles at Wimbledon, writing his name into the history books.

He also held a Wimbledon record for nearly 100 years, before Germany’s Boris Becker took it from him in 1985.

Wilfred Baddeley won seven Wimbledon titles

Born in 1872, five years before the first Wimbledon tournament was held, Wilfred Baddeley was destined for greatness.

In 1889, Baddeley made his Wimbledon debut as a teenager, and he won his first title two years later.

Wilfred Baddeley at Wimbledon in 1891

• 1891 Wimbledon 1R – Walkover
• 1891 Wimbledon 2R [WIN] vs Herbert Chipp, 6-4, 6-0, 6-4
• 1891 Wimbledon QF [WIN] vs E Avory, 6-0, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
• 1891 Wimbledon SF [WIN] vs Ernest Renshaw, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1
• 1891 Wimbledon F [WIN] vs Joshua Pim, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0

Defeating Joshua Pim in the final, 19-year-old Baddeley became the youngest men’s singles champion in Wimbledon history, a record he held for 94 years.

He wasn’t done there, though, as Baddeley reached six consecutive Wimbledon singles finals, winning three.

Wilfred Baddeley’s record in Wimbledon singles finals

He also enjoyed plenty of success in doubles, winning a further four titles with his twin brother, Herbert Baddeley.

Wilfred Baddeley’s record in Wimbledon doubles finals

The pair could have won more in the sport, but chose to retire from tennis after the 1897 Championships to pursue a career in law.

Baddeley remains one of the greatest players to grace the courts of Wimbledon, and his efforts were recognized in 2013, when he was granted a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Boris Becker broke Wilfred Baddeley’s record in 1985

The Brit’s efforts at the All England Club will stand the test of time, although his record didn’t…

Back in 1985, 17-year-old star Becker travelled to London looking to make history.

Competing without a seed next to his name, in a field including John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, and Jimmy Connors, few gave Becker a chance.

However, as the big names fell, Becker quietly went about his business, reaching the final on his second career Wimbledon appearance.

Boris Becker at Wimbledon in 1985

• 1985 Wimbledon 1R [WIN] vs Hank Pfister, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
• 1985 Wimbledon 2R [WIN] vs Matt Anger, 6-0, 6-1, 6-3
• 1985 Wimbledon 3R [WIN] vs Joakim Nystrom, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1, 4-6, 9-7
• 1985 Wimbledon 4R [WIN] vs Tim Mayotte, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2
• 1985 Wimbledon QF [WIN] vs Henri Leconte, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
• 1985 Wimbledon SF [WIN] vs Anders Jarryd, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3

There, he met Kevin Curren, who had upset Connors and McEnroe in his previous two matches.

He was no match for Becker, though, as the German won in four sets, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, to break Baddeley’s Wimbledon record.

Becker returned to win Wimbledon in 1986 and 1989, matching Baddeley’s tally of three singles titles.

Only time will tell if anyone can break Becker’s record, but it certainly looks tough to beat.