Maud Watson

Maud Watson (9 October 1864 – 5 June 1946 in Charmouth, Dorset) was an English tennis player.

Born in Harrow, London, the daughter of a local vicar, she began playing competitive tennis in 1881. Undefeated in tournament play, in 1884 the nineteen-year-old Watson won the first ever Ladies’ Singles title at Wimbledon. Playing in white corsets and petticoats, from a field of thirteen competitors she defeated her older sister Lillian Watson 6–8 6–3 6–3 to claim the title.

Maud Watson repeated as the Wimbledon champion the following year, winning the final 6–1, 7–5 over Blanche Bingley. In 1886, Bingley turned the tables, defeating Watson 6–3 6–3 in the finals to take the title.

She lived near and is buried at St John the Bapist Parish church in Berkswell, near Solihull in Warwickshire, UK. Her Father was the Parish Priest.

Grand Slam record

• Wimbledon
  • Singles champion: 1884, 1885
  • Singles finalist: 1886

Grand Slam singles finals

Wins (2)

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
1884	Wimbledon	Lillian Watson	6–8, 6–3, 6–3
1885	Wimbledon (2)	Blanche Bingley Hillyard	6–1, 7–5

Runner-up (1)

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
1886	Wimbledon	Blanche Bingley	6–3, 6–3