RENSHAW, WILLIAM; AND RENSHAW, ERNEST

born Jan. 3, 1861, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng. died Aug. 12, 1904 born Jan. 3, 1861, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire died 1899 twin English brothers who dominated Wimbledon tennis competition in the 1880s. With their warm personalities and exciting, competitive play, the Renshaws are often credited with transforming tennis into a spectator sport. William won the Wimbledon singles championship seven times (188186 and 1889), on three occasions defeating his brother in the finals. Ernest was victorious in 1888, and together they won the British doubles championship seven times. They introduced hard serves and volleys to the game when they first appeared together at Wimbledon in 1880 and repeated their victory in 1881, 188486, 1888, and 1889. In 1883 they played two exhibition matches at Wimbledon against the American brothers Joseph and Clarence Clark and defeated them decisively. In 1888 William was elected the first president of the British Lawn Tennis Association.