James Anderson (tennis)

For other people with the same name, see James Anderson (disambiguation).

James Outram Anderson (17 September 1894 – 22 December 1973), commonly known as J.O. Anderson, was an Australian tennis player.

James Anderson

Anderson during the 1922 Davis Cup
Full name	James Outram Anderson
Country (sports)	Australia
Born	(1894-09-17)17 September 1894 Enfield, Australia
Died	22 December 1973(1973-12-22) (aged 79) Gosford, Australia
Turned pro	1926
Plays	Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Int. Tennis HoF	2013 (member page)
Singles
Career record	159–35 (81.9%)[1]
Career titles	15[1]
Highest ranking	No. 3 (1923, A. Wallis Myers)[2]
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	W (1922, 1924, 1925)
Wimbledon	SF (1922, 1925)
US Open	SF (1921)
Doubles
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	W (1924)
Wimbledon	W (1922)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (1919)

Personal life

Anderson was the eighth child of James Outram Anderson and his wife Patience (née Laycock). He was educated at Camden Grammar School.

He married Maud Irene Whitfield (died 1955) on 24 March 1917. They had five children. He married a widow, Mabel Little, on 18 November 1957. Anderson died on 22 December 1973 at Gosford. He was survived by his second wife, as well as the son and four daughters of his first marriage.^[3]

In 2013, Anderson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.^[4]

Career

Anderson is best remembered for his three victories at his home tournament: the Australasian Championships in 1922, 1924 and 1925.^[5] Anderson also won the doubles tournament at the 1922 Wimbledon Championships and 1924 Australian Championships.^[6] He was celebrated in Australia for his mascot, a large toy kangaroo which he brought on court.^[7]

Between 1919 and 1925 Anderson played in 15 ties for the Australian Davis Cup team and compiled a record of 28 wins and 8 losses.^[8]

From 1929 to 1934, Anderson had an endorsement deal with the Alexander Patent Racket Company in Launceston, Tasmania, to produce a range of 'J.O. Anderson' tennis racquets.^[9][10]

Playing Style

Anderson's best shot was his forehand drive, which he hit with very little topspin. He mastered this shot to compensate for his weak backhand shot. Anderson was nicknamed 'The Greyhound' for his quickness on the tennis court.^[7]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 3 titles

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	1922	Australasian Championships	Grass	Gerald Patterson	6–0, 3–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
Win	1924	Australasian Championships	Grass	Richard Schlesinger	6–3, 6–4, 3–6, 5–7, 6–3
Win	1925	Australasian Championships	Grass	Gerald Patterson	11–9, 2–6, 6–2, 6–3

Doubles: 6 (2 titles, 4 runners-up)

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Loss	1919	Australasian Championships	Grass	Arthur Lowe	Pat O'Hara Wood Ronald Thomas	5–7, 1–6, 9–7, 6–3, 3–6
Loss	1922	Australasian Championships	Grass	Norman Peach	John Hawkes Gerald Patterson	10–8, 0–6, 0–6, 5–7
Win	1922	Wimbledon	Grass	Randolph Lycett	Pat O'Hara Wood Gerald Patterson	3–6, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3, 11–9
Win	1924	Australasian Championships	Grass	Norman Brookes	Pat O'Hara Wood Gerald Patterson	6–2, 6–4, 6–3
Loss	1925	Australasian Championships	Grass	Fred Kalms	Pat O'Hara Wood Gerald Patterson	4–6, 6–8, 5–7
Loss	1926	Australasian Championships	Grass	Pat O'Hara Wood	John Hawkes Gerald Patterson	1–6, 4–6, 2–6