Lawford, Herbert

Herbert Lawford
Born: May 15, 1851
Died: April 20, 1925
Hometown: Bayswater, United Kingdom
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Handed: Right
Inducted: 2006

Grand Slam Record
Wimbledon Singles Winner  1887
Singles Finalist 1880, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1888
Singles Semifinalist 1889
Singles Quarterfinalist 1881, 1882

Contributions
First person to introduce “topspin” to the game of tennis

Herbert Lawford was a classic baseline player and was widely known for his “Lawford forehand.” He was the first person to introduce topspin to the sport.

Lawford successfully tuned his strokes, implementing topspin and delivered an impressive backcourt game.

With power, speed and incredible accuracy, Lawford won Wimbledon in 1887, and was a singles finalist five times (1880, 1884-86, 1888).

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