Tony Wilding

Who was Tony Wilding?

Anthony "Tony" Frederick Wilding was a champion tennis player from Christchurch, New Zealand and a soldier killed in action during World War I near Neuve-Chapelle, Pas-de-Calais, France.

He was the son of wealthy English immigrants to New Zealand and enjoyed the use of private tennis courts at their home. He obtained a legal education and joined his father's law firm. Wilding was a first-class cricketer and a keen motorcycle enthusiast. His tennis career starting with him winning the Canterbury Championships aged 17. He developed into a leading tennis player in the world during 1909–1914 and is considered to be a former World number 1. He won 11 Major titles including in 6 singles and 5 in doubles and was both World Hard Court and World Covered Court champion then an ITF Major, he also won the Davis Cup several times for Australasia, and won a bronze medal at the 1912 Olympics. In his ranking list of greatest tennis players compiled in 1950, Norman Brookes put Wilding in fourth place.