Harold Segerson Mahony (13 February 1867 – 27 June 1905) was a Scottish-born Irish tennis player who is best known for winning the singles title at the Wimbledon Championships in 1896. His career lasted from 1888 until his death in 1905. Mahony was born in Scotland but lived in Ireland for the majority of his life; his family were Irish including both of his parents, the family home was in County Kerry, Southwestern Ireland. He was the last Scottish born man to win Wimbledon until the victory of Andy Murray at the 2013 championships. He remains the most recent Irish singles champion at the All England Club.

Career

Mahony was born either at 21 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh or at Dromore Castle, in County Kerry, Ireland to Richard John Mahony, an Irish barrister and prominent landowner. The family had a home in Scotland but spent most of their time at Dromore Castle, in County Kerry, Ireland. Harold trained on a specially built tennis court at Dromore.

Mahony made his Wimbledon debut in 1890 exiting in the first round. He reached the semifinal in 1891 and 1892. Mahony spent some time in America in the mid-1890s, before returning to the United Kingdom and finally taking the Wimbledon crown in 1896. In the final he beat Wilfred Baddeley of Great Britain in five sets. Under the challenger system Mahony was entitled to defend the Wimbledon title in 1897 but this time he was beaten in the Challenge Round in three straight sets by Reginald Doherty. He was the last Scottish-born player to win a grand slam until Andy Murray won the US Open in 2012 and win Wimbledon until Murray won it in 2013. He was recognised as the third and last Irishman to win the Wimbledon singles.

He won the singles title at the British Covered Court Championships, played at the Queen's Club in London, in 1893 and successfully defended his title the following year. In 1895 Mahony forfeited the defence of his title due to illness. In 1898 he won the singles titles at the prestigious Irish Championships. That same year Mahony, who was a regular competitor in Germany and spoke fluent German, also won the singles title at the German Championships.

At the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris he won a silver medal in the men's singles event and a bronze medal in the doubles competition (for Great Britain and Ireland), as well as a silver medal in the mixed doubles event with Hélène Prévost from France. Mahony won the Kent Championships in 1899, defeating Wilberforce Eaves in the final, and in 1904, defeating Brame Hillyard in the final.

Mahony was a member of the 1903 British Isles Davis Cup team that won against the United States at the Longwood Cricket Club in Boston but did not play in the event. When four-time Wimbledon champion Reginald Doherty had a shoulder injury the British team captain William Collins elected to forfeit his first match, instead of letting Mahony play, so that Doherty would be allowed to play the reverse singles match later in the event.

Mahony was 1.91m (6ft 3in) tall and possessed a formidable backhand. His forehand was less notable: his fellow player, George Hillyard, wrote that he "never did acquire the right method of hitting the ball on the forehand".

Mahony was killed on 27 June 1905, aged 38, in a bicycling accident while descending a steep hill near Caragh Lake in County Kerry.

Grand Slam finals

Singles

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1896WimbledonGrassUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Wilfred Baddeley6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3
Loss1897WimbledonGrassUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Reginald Doherty4–6, 4–6, 3–6

Doubles

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1897U.S. ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Harold NisbetUnited States George Sheldon United States Leo Ware13–11, 2–6, 7–9, 6–1, 1–6

Olympic finals

Singles: 1 (1 silver medal)

ResultYearOlympicsSurfaceOpponentScore
Silver1900ParisClayUnited Kingdom Laurence Doherty4–6, 2–6, 3–6

Mixed Doubles: 1 (1 silver medal)

ResultYearOlympicsSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Silver1900ParisClayFrance Yvonne PrévostUnited Kingdom Charlotte Cooper United Kingdom Reginald Doherty2–6, 4–6

Challenge Rounds

Challenge Round: the final round of a tournament, in which the winner of a single-elimination phase (final) faces the previous year's champion, who plays only that one match. The challenge round was used in the early history of tennis (from 1877 through 1921), in some tournaments not all. (**) denotes challenge round

Career finals

Singles 86 (43 titles, 43 runner-ups)

Legend (43–43)
Win
Loss
No.ResultDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
1.LossMay 1888Fitzwilliam Club ChampionshipsGrassIreland Tom Campion9–7, 7–5, 5–7, 6–0
2.LossJun 1889Northern ChampionshipsGrassIreland Willoughby Hamilton6–3, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2
3.WinJun 1889Dublin University LT ChampionshipsHardIreland Hume R. Jones9–7, 7–5, 5–7, 6–0
4.LossMay 1890Dublin University LT ChampionshipsHardIreland Grainger Chaytor6–3, 3–6, 8–6, 6–1
5.WinJun 1890East Gloucestershire ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom James Baldwin6–4, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4
6.LossJul 1890Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Ernest Lewis6–1, 6–4, 6–2
7.LossAug 1890South Saxons Open TournamentGrassIreland Joshua Pim3–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–4
8.LossJun 1891Welsh ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Harry S. Barlow5–7, 6–2, 7–5, 0–6, 6–1
9.LossJul 1891Queens Challenge CupGrassIreland Joshua Pim2–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–3
10.LossJul 1891Warwickshire ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim8–10, 6–2, 6–3, 6–2
11.WinJul 1891Leicestershire ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim7–5, 6–2, 2–6, 4–6, 6–4
12.WinAug 1891Northumberland ChampionshipsGrassIreland Tom Chaytor6–2, 6–4, 6–3
13.LossApr 1892British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)United Kingdom Ernest George Meers6–2, 6–4, 6–3
14.WinJul 1892Leicestershire ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim6–1, 6–2, 6–1
15.LossJul 1892Northumberland ChampionshipsGrassIreland Tom Chaytor6–0, 10–8, 6–2
14.WinApr 1893British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)United Kingdom Ernest George Meers6–2, 6–2, 6–4
15.WinJue 1893Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Ernest Lewisw.o
16.WinApr 1893Queens Covered Court ChampionshipHard (i)United Kingdom Horace Chapman6–0, 2–6, 6–1
17.WinApr 1893British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Ernest George Meers6–2, 6–2, 6–4
18.WinJun 1893Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Horace Chapman6–3, 6–4, 6–4
19.LossJun 1893Northern ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim4–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–2
20.LossJun 1893Yorkshire ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 8–6
21.LossJul 1893Championship of LondonGrassIreland Joshua Pim9–7, 1–6, 6–1, 6–8, 6–3
22.LossJul 1893Wimbledon ChampionshipsGrassIreland Joshua Pim9–7, 6–3, 6–0
23.WinAug 1893Darlington Open TournamentGrassIreland David Chaytorw.o
24.WinApr 1894Queens Covered Court ChampionshipHard (i)Ireland Guy Brabazon Pilkington6–4, 8–10, 6–2
25.WinApr 1894British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)United Kingdom Ernest George Meers6–4, 8–10, 6–2
26.LossMay 1894Irish ChampionshipsGrassIreland Thomas Chaytor6–2, 5–7, 6–3, 2–6, 6–1
27.LossJun 1894Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Harry S. Barlow3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 **
28.WinJun 1894Leicestershire ChampionshipsGrassEngland Edward Roy Allenw.o.
29.WinJun 1894Championship of LondonGrassIreland Joshua Pim6–4, 8–10, 6–2 **
30.WinJun 1894Nottinghamshire ChampionshipsGrassEngland Edward Roy Allen8–6, 6–3, 9–7
31.WinAug 1894Northumberland ChampionshipsGrassEngland Harry Barlow6–3, 6–3, 8–6
32.LossApr 1895British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Edward Roy Allenw.o.
33.LossJun 1895Irish ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilberforce Eaves6–3, 6–8, 6–2, 6–4
34.LossJun 1895Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Turketil G. P. Greville6–2, 7–5, 6–4
35.LossJun 1895Neighborhood (u.s.)ClayIreland Joshua Pim6–4, 6–8, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
36.LossJul 1895Warwickshire ChampionshipsGrassEngland Edward Roy Allen6–2, 6–4
37.WinAug 1895Derbyshire ChampionshipsGrassIreland David Chaytor6–2, 3–6, 2–6, 7–5, 6–3
38.LossApr 1896British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Wilberforce Eaves2–6, 6–2, 7–5, 6–3
39.LossMay 1896Irish ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilfred Baddeley6–1, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
40.WinJun 1896Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Edwin A. Barlow6–2, 7–5, 6–4 **
41.LossJun 1896Northern ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilfred Baddeley6–1, 10–12, 7–5, 6–4 **
42.WinJun 1896Championship of LondonGrassEngland Reginald Doherty11–9, 6–4, 6–4
43.WinJul 1896West of England ChampionshipsGrassUnited States William Larned6–3, 6–3, 6–3
44.WinJul 1896Wimbledon ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilfred Baddeley6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3 **
45.LossApr 1897British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Wilberforce Eaves6–3, 6–3, 6–0
46.LossJul 1897Wimbledon ChampionshipsGrassEngland Reginald Doherty6–4, 6–4, 6–3 **
47.WinMay 1898Irish ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilberforce Eaves6–1, 5–7, 9–7, 8–6 **
48.WinJun 1898Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Turketil G. P. Greville4–6, 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 **
49.LossJun 1898Kent ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilberforce Eaves6–3, 7–5, 6–3
50.LossJun 1898Wimbledon ChampionshipsGrassEngland Laurence Doherty6–1, 6–2, 4–6, 2–6, 14–12
51.LossJul 1898London ChampionshipsGrassEngland Laurence Doherty6–3, 6–4, 9–7
52.WinJul 1898Midland Counties ChampionshipsGrassEngland Captain Ernest D. Black3–6, 6–4, 6–2, 7–5
53.WinAug 1898German International ChampionshipsClayEngland George Hillyardw.o. **
54.LossSep 1898Sussex ChampionshipsGrassIreland David Chaytor7–5, 0–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
55.WinSep 1898Welsh Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Laurence Doherty5–7, 6–4, 7–5, 6–4
56.LossApr 1899British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England Wilberforce Eaves6–2, 6–4, 6–8, 3–6, 6–4 **
57.LossMay 1899Irish ChampionshipsGrassEngland Reginald Doherty6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 **
58.WinJun 1899Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Turketil G. P. Greville5–7, 2–6, 6–1, 6–1, 6–4 **
59.WinJun 1899Kent ChampionshipsGrassEngland Wilberforce Eaves6–1, 6–1, 6–8, 3–6, 8–6 **
60.WinJul 1899London ChampionshipsGrassEngland Arthur Gore8–10, 6–2, 7–5, 6–1
61.WinJul 1899Northumberland ChampionshipsGrassEngland Arthur Gore8–6, 6–3
62.WinAug 1899Championship of EuropeClayEngland Reginald Dohertyw.o.
63.LossSep 1899South of England ChampionshipsGrassEngland Sydney Howard Smith6–3, 6–3, 6–1 **
64.WinSep 1899Dinard Challenge CupClayEngland Arthur Gore6–4, 6–2, 6–4
65.LossApr 1900French Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)United Kingdom George Caridia3–6, 11–9, 6–3
66.WinJun 1900Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Arthur Gore6–2, 6–4, 6–2
67.LossJun 1900Kent ChampionshipsGrassEngland Arthur Gore6–4, 6–4, 6–4 **
68.LossJun 1900Summer Olympics – ParisClayEngland Laurence Doherty6–4, 6–2, 6–3
69.LossSep 1900Dinard Challenge CupClayEngland Laurence Doherty4–6, 6–1, 8–6, 7–5
70.LossJun 1901Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassEngland Turketil G. P. Greville7–5, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3
71.LossSep 1901South of England ChampionshipsGrassEngland Sydney Howard Smith6–3, 7–9, 4–6, 6–4, 1–0. rt.
72.LossSep 1901Portuguese International ChampionshipsClayEngland George Hillyard6–0, 6–4
73.WinJun 1902Leicestershire ChampionshipsGrassEngland Laurence Dohertyw.o.
74.LossJun 1902Kent ChampionshipsGrassEngland George Miéville Simond6–4, 6–0, 6–3 **
75.LossJun 1902Northern ChampionshipsGrassEngland Sydney Howard Smith7–5, 7–5, 3–6, 10–8
76.LossOct 1902European ChampionshipsHard (i)England Laurence Doherty4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–1
77.LossApr 1903British Covered Court ChampionshipsHard (i)England George Hillyard6–3, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
78.WinJun 1903Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Brame Hillyard3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
79.WinJul 1903Berkshire ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Alfred E. Crawley6–3, 8–6
80.WinJun 1904Middlesex ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Frederick Payn3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
81.WinJun 1904Kent ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Brame Hillyard3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
82.WinJul 1904North London Championships (Gipsy)GrassUnited Kingdom Alfred Beamish6–1, 5–7, 6–2, 6–1
83.LossJul 1904Championship of LondonGrassUnited Kingdom Josiah Ritchie6–3, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
84.WinJul 1904Berkshire ChampionshipsGrassUnited Kingdom Walter Crawley5–7, 6–1, 6–4
85.WinAug 1904Crystal Palace OpenGrassUnited Kingdom Ernest Parton6–3, 6–2
86.LossJun 1905Kent ChampionshipsGrassAustralia Norman Brookesw.o.

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