John Flavelle (1863–1947) was a British

tennis Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball ...

player with a long career. Flavelle was a medical doctor. He was married to fellow player Helen Reckitt. According to A. Wallis Myers, John Flavelle travelled all over the world playing and watching tennis (which was unusual in that era). Of Flavelle's style of play, A. Wallis Myers (in his book Lawn Tennis At Home and Abroad in 1903) said "He is essentially a baseline player and, volleying only on the rarest of occasions and with a somewhat indifferent service, relies almost entirely on a low forehand drive on which he gets a lot of top." At his first Wimbledon in 1895, Flavelle lost in the quarter finals to Ernest Meers. At Wimbledon 1898 he lost in the quarterfinals to

Laurence Doherty Hugh Laurence "Laurie" Doherty (8 October 1875 – 21 August 1919) was a British tennis player and the younger brother of tennis player Reginald Doherty. He was a six-time Grand Slam champion and a double Olympic Gold medalist at the 1900 Sum ...

, though he did win a set. Flavelle reached the Wimbledon last 16 in 1906 (beating

George Simond George Miéville Simond (23 January 1867 – 8 April 1941) was an English tennis player who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Simond was born in Marylebone. In 1908 he won the silver medal in the men's indoor doubles competition togethe ...

before losing to

Sydney Smith Sydney Smith (3 June 1771 – 22 February 1845) was an English wit, writer, and Anglican cleric. Early life and education Born in Woodford, Essex, England, Smith was the son of merchant Robert Smith (1739–1827) and Maria Olier (1750–1801), ...

). In his last appearance aged 57 in 1920, Flavelle lost easily in round one to

Bill Johnston Bill or Billy Johnston may refer to: * Bill Johnston (cricketer) (1922–2007), Australian cricketer * Bill Johnston (golfer) (1925–2021), American golfer and golf course architect * Bill Johnston (tennis) William Marquitz "Little Bill" John ...

. Flavelle was runner up in several important tournaments: the German Open in 1902 (Challenge Round to

Max Decugis Maxime Omer Mathieu Decugis or Décugis (; 24 September 1882 – 6 September 1978) was a tennis player from France who held the French Open, French Championships record of winning the tournament eight times (a French club members only tournament ...

) and 1903 (all comer's final to

Major Ritchie Major Josiah George Ritchie (18 October 1870 – 28 February 1955) was a tennis player from Great Britain. Major was his first name, not a military title. He was born in Westminster, educated at Brighton College and died in Ashford. Career Ritc ...

), the

French Covered Court Championships The French Covered Court Championships its original name also known as the French Covered Court Open Championships and the French Indoors was a tennis event held from 1895 through 1971 in Paris, France and Lyon, France. History The French C ...

in 1905 (to

Ritchie Ritchie may refer to: People Surname *Adele Ritchie (1874–1930), singer – comic opera, musical comedy and vaudeville *Albert Ritchie (1876–1936), governor of Maryland 1920 to 1935 *Alistair Ferguson Ritchie (1890–1954), crossword compiler ...

) and Queen's in 1906 (losing to

References

1863 births 1947 deaths 19th-century male tennis players English male tennis players British male tennis players Tennis players from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Presidents of the International Tennis Federation People from Kensington {{UK-tennis-bio-stub