Arthur James Willard (22 April 1893 – 10 June 1968), better known as Jim Willard, was an Australian tennis player.
| Full name | Arthur James Willard |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) | Australia |
| Born | 22 April 1893 Tambaroora, New South Wales |
| Died | 10 June 1968 (aged 75) |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | F (1926) |
| French Open | 3R (1930) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (1924) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Olympic Games | 3R (1924) |
| Doubles | |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | F (1928) |
| French Open | F (1930) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1930) |
| Olympic Games | 2R (1924) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1924, 1925) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1930) |
Tennis career edit
Willard won two mixed doubles titles alongside Daphne Akhurst at the Australasian Championships, the future Australian Open, in 1924 and 1925. Willard also finished singles runner-up to John Hawkes in 1926 and reached the semifinals in 1927 and 1930. He was the mixed doubles runner-up in Australia in 1926 and 1927, and doubles runner-up at the Australian Championships in 1928 and at the French Championships in 1930. He participated in the 1924 Wimbledon Championships, losing in the second round of the singles event. He returned at the 1930 Championships where he lost in the first round of the singles event, reached the quarterfinal of the doubles with Harry Hopman and made it to the third round of the mixed doubles partnering Lolette Payot.[1]
Willard competed in the singles and doubles event at the 1924 Summer Olympics.[2] In the singles he made it to the third round before being defeated by Sydney Jacob. In the doubles event he teamed up with James Bayley and reached the second round in which they lost to eventual Olympic champions Vincent Richards and Frank Hunter.[3][4]
Willard won the Sydney metropolitan championships in October 1929 after a victory in the final against Jack Crawford.[5]
He became a professional player in February 1933.[6]
From 1933 to 1941, Willard had an endorsement deal with the Alexander Patent Racket Company in Launceston, Tasmania, to produce a range of 'Jim Willard' tennis racquets.[7][8]
Grand Slam finals edit
Singles (1 runner-up) edit
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1926 | Australasian Championships | Grass |  John Hawkes |
6–1, 6–3, 6–1 |
Doubles (2 runners-up) edit
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1928 | Australian Championships | Grass | Edgar Moon |
 Jean Borotra Jacques Brugnon |
2–6, 6–4, 4–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 1930 | French Championships | Clay | Harry Hopman |
Henri Cochet Jacques Brugnon |
3–6, 7–9, 3–6 |
Mixed doubles (2 titles, 2 runners-up) edit
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1924 | Australasian Championships | Grass | Daphne Akhurst |
Esna Boyd Robertson Gar Hone |
6–3, 6–4 |
| Win | 1925 | Australasian Championships | Grass | Daphne Akhurst |
Sylvia Lance Harper Robert Schlesinger |
6–4, 6–4 |
| Loss | 1926 | Australasian Championships | Grass | Daphne Akhurst |
Esna Boyd Robertson John Hawkes |
2–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 1927 | Australian Championships | Grass | Youtha Anthony |
Esna Boyd Robertson John Hawkes |
1–6, 3–6 |
References edit
- ^ "Wimbledon players archive – James Willard". AELTC.
- ^ "James Willard". Olympedia. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jim Willard". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012.
- ^ "Anthony Willard – Olympic Results". Australian Olympic Committee.
- ^ "Tennis". The Northern Star. 28 October 1929. p. 6 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Tennis Pro". The Sun. No. 7217. Sydney. 15 February 1933. p. 15 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Green, Christopher (2011). What a racket! : the illustrated story of the Alexander Patent Racket Co. Ltd., Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 1925-1961. Launceston, Tas.: Bokprint Pty. Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9871085-0-0. OCLC 733310743.
- ^ "Advertising". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. 6 April 1933. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
