by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
The United States Tennis Association just officially announced that Katrina Adams will serve a rare second term as President of the organization. Who is the longest serving President in the history of the USTA? He is James Dwight, who is known as “The Father of American Tennis.” Dwight served as the USTA President for an amazing 21 years – from 1882-84 and 1894-1911. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1955.
The following is Dwight’s bio as seen in the book soon-to-be-re-released third edition of “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” (available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559386/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_GTBlyb3GYC19T)
James Dwight
United States (1852–1917)
Hall of Fame—1955
Hailed deservedly as the “Father of American Tennis,” Dr. James Dwight, a Bostonian and graduate of Harvard and Harvard Medical, may have introduced the game to the U.S., playing with his cousin, Fred Sears, at Nahant, Mass., in 1874. It arrived from England at several locations that year. He did organize and win the initial tournament, a sociable competition at Nahant, at 1876. More importantly he was a driving force behind the organization of the USTA (then the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association) in 1881, and its first National Championship that year at the Newport Casino, as well as the first Davis Cup series (1900) between the U.S. and the British Isles at his Boston club, Longwood Cricket Club. As a player, right-handed and short (about 5-foot-5), he was more adept at doubles, sharing five U.S. titles with his protege, Dick Sears, who defeated him in the 1883 singles final. He was No. 2 in 1885 and 1886, the first years of U.S. rankings, and No. 3 in 1888. He, Sears and A.L. Rives were the American pioneers at Wimbledon in 1884, Dwight the only one to win a round. He beat F.J. Ridgeway, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1, the first U.S. victory, a small one at the Big W. Doc fought gamely against ambidextrous Herbert Chipp, who had removed Rives, but fell to nothing but forehands, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Though Dwight and Sears reached the doubles semis, the U.S. champs were no match for the dynamic, ruling Renshaw twins, Willie and Ernest, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2. Dwight returned the following year, making greater strides, to the semis where future champ Herbert Lawford topspun him out, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. Shepherding the USTA through its formative years, he was president 21 years, 1882-84 and 1894-1911. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1955. Born in Paris on July 14, 1852, he died July 13, 1917 in Mattapoisett, Mass. His son, Dr. Richard Dwight, a retired physician, continued to compete, in super-senior events for the over-85s until his death.
