Singles, Men

Professional racquets was quite popular in 1908 and the greatest player ever was Britain’s Peter Latham, who had won the championship in 1887 and held it until 1903 when India’s J. Jamsetjhi became the holder. The top amateur player of the era was Max Baerlein, who entered both events, but did not compete in either. Baerlein was British Amateur champion in 1903, 1905, 1908-1911, and 1920-1921. He was also British champion at court tennis (jeu de paume) from 1914-1927 and again in 1929-1930. He had won the 1908 amateur title by defeating Evan Noel in the final and with Baerlein not competing, Noel had a relatively easy time of it, losing only one of 10 games en route to the singles’ final. The singles’ final was not held as Henry Leaf had to scratch because of an injury he had received during the doubles. Noel won one British Amateur championship, that in 1907.