Brian Gilbert

Brian Gilbert made his Wimbledon début in 1921 and won the All-England plate for players defeated in the singles first and second rounds, beating New Zealand’s Frank Fisher in the final. The following year he had his best ever run in the singles, reaching the semi-final before losing to another Briton, Randolph Lycett, in three sets. Gilbert enjoyed his best ever season in 1923 when he won singles titles at Roehampton and Queen’s Club and made his Great Britain Davis Cup début against Belgium in Brussels. He also reached the final of the World Covered Court Championship in Barcelona, but lost to Frenchman Henri Cochet. However, Gilbert enjoyed probably his finest Davis Cup moment in 1924 when he beat Cochet in five sets at Eastbourne, despite losing the first two sets. It crowned a glorious month for Gilbert as he won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon less then four weeks earlier when, with partner Kitty McKane, they beat fellow Britons Leslie Godfree and Dorothy Shepherd-Barron in three sets. It could have been even more memorable for Gilbert and McKane as they reached the Olympic mixed doubles semi-final but scratched from the bronze medal match. After 1924 Gilbert did not enjoy much success. He played one more Davis Cup rubber against Norway in 1925 and won the All-England plate for a second time in 1926, although he did continue playing at Wimbledon until 1934.