Honoring the Legacy of Wimbledon's Forgotten Pioneer

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to refurbish the dilapidated grave of Spencer Gore, the first-ever Wimbledon men's singles tennis champion. Despite his historic achievement, Gore's final resting place has fallen into disrepair, prompting a community effort to ensure his legacy is properly recognized.

Reviving the Grave of a Tennis Icon

Uncovering the Forgotten Triumph

In 1877, Spencer Gore made history by winning the inaugural Wimbledon men's singles title, becoming the first player to claim the prestigious trophy. His victory was groundbreaking, as he is believed to have been the first player to utilize the technique of volleying, a strategy that would go on to revolutionize the game of tennis. However, despite the significance of his accomplishment, Gore's final resting place in Ramsgate, Kent has fallen into a state of neglect, with his gravestone in a dilapidated and unkempt condition, bearing no mention of his historic achievement.

Rallying the Community to Honor a Local Legend

Gavid Vickers, who runs the Infinity Tennis organization in East Kent, is spearheading the campaign to restore Gore's grave and ensure his legacy is properly celebrated. Vickers emphasizes the importance of honoring Gore's achievements, which he describes as a "significant part of sport history," and the need to recognize the "local connection to a figure of international historical importance."Dominic Murphy, from the Friends of Spencer Square in Ramsgate, shares Vickers' sentiment, expressing his dismay at the current state of Gore's gravestone. Murphy proposes that the new memorial be simple and elegant, featuring a green base and honey-colored stone, with a new inscription that includes the iconic Wimbledon logo.

Crowdfunding to Revitalize a Forgotten Legacy

The crowdfunding campaign launched to restore Gore's grave has already raised over £1,500, with the ultimate goal of reaching £5,000 to make the site "more prominent and widely-known." Vickers and his team are working tirelessly to ensure that the refurbishment can be completed before the next Wimbledon tournament, so that the pioneering champion's legacy can be appropriately celebrated during the prestigious event.

A Significant Piece of Tennis History

After his Wimbledon triumph, Gore only played one more match at the famous tournament, never returning after 1878. However, his impact on the sport extended beyond his brief tournament career. Gore was also an accomplished cricketer, playing at the county level for Surrey, further solidifying his place as a multifaceted athlete of his time.Vickers acknowledges the significance of Gore's resting place, stating, "I don't want to overstate it, but from a tennis perspective it's pretty cool that the first Wimbledon champion is buried on our patch." This sentiment resonates with the local community, who are rallying behind the effort to ensure that Gore's legacy is not forgotten, but rather celebrated and preserved for generations to come.