Anthony Wilding

Anthony Frederick Wilding, also known as Tony Wilding, was a New Zealand world No. 1 tennis player and soldier who was killed in action during World War I. Considered the world's first tennis superstar, Wilding was the son of wealthy English immigrants to Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand and enjoyed the use of private tennis courts at their home. He obtained a legal education at Trinity College, Cambridge and briefly joined his father's law firm. Wilding was a first-class cricketer and a keen motorcycle enthusiast. His tennis career started with him winning the Canterbury Championships aged 17. He developed into a leading tennis player in the world during 1909–1914 and is considered to be a former world No. 1. He won 11 Grand Slam tournament titles, six in singles and five in doubles, and is the first and to date only player from New Zealand to have won a Grand Slam singles title. In addition to Wimbledon, he also won three other ILTF World Championships : In singles, two World Hard Court Championships (WHCC) (1913–14) and one World Covered Court Championships (WCCC) (1913). With his eleven Grand Slam tournaments, two WHCC and one WCCC titles, he has a total of fourteen Major tournament titles. His sweep of the three ILTF World Championships in 1913 was accomplished on three different surfaces being the first time this has been achieved in Major tournaments.

31 October 1883

Born on the same birth date (31 October 1883): Marie Laurencin

Born on the same birth day (31 October): Ali Farka Touré • Henriette of Cleves • Inka Grings • Johannes Vermeer • Jordan Bannister • Keith Jardine • Laura Bassi • Linn Berggren • Siobhán Haughey

Born in the same month (October 1883): A. S. Neill • Ernst Pittschau • Karl von Terzaghi • Kristian Welhaven • Otto Heinrich Warburg • Paul Pilgrim • Victor Hochepied