Sporting Career
He was the loftiest Wimbledon Champion: he introduced the lob to thwart volleyer Spencer Gore in the 1878 (second) Wimbledon Men's Final, 7–5, 6–1, 9–7. He played at Wimbledon whilst on holiday from his coffee plantation in Ceylon. He did not defend his title - and is therefore the male champion never to have lost a set in singles there. He returned to Wimbledon nearly half a century later to collect a commemorative medal from Queen Mary for being the oldest surviving champion.
When asked if he would defend his title Hadow is reported to have said "No sir. It's a sissy's game played with a soft ball."
Hadow was also a distinguished big game hunter, hunting in Africa in the early years of the 20th century. He has listings in many categories of the 1928 Rowland Ward "Records of Big Game", including ranking trophies in the sable antelope, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob and eland categories.
As a cricketer, he also represented MCC, Middlesex, the Orleans Club, the South and the Gentlemen of England as a right-handed batsman in seven first-class matches between 1883 and 1891. He also played cricket in Ceylon.
Read more about this topic: Frank Hadow
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