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August 31 – First Singles Tennis Champion in U.S.!

Posted on August 31, 2021

On this day in 1881, the first U. S. Open, then called the U. S. National Championship, was completed with 19-year-old Harvard student Richard D. Sears winning the title.

During the tournament, Sears didn’t lose a single set.



Sears went on to win the title every year for seven consecutive years. (This record is still unbroken, but the rules were different then, which makes it hard to compare athletes’ accomplishments.) Sears retired from the game in 1887, still undefeated.


Watch some of the U.S. Open tennis today.

Above: Naomi Osaka

Below: Nick Kyrgios

Above: Sloane Stephens

Below: Stefanos Tsitsipas


Or play some tennis. It’s a great game, lots of fun AND lots of exercise, and a game you can play with just one other person, all your life.

  • Here is an interesting video about some of the pre-tennis games and activities that teachers use with young kids getting started with tennis.

  • And here is a video capturing a few moments of one of the greatest tennis matches of recent years.

  • And this one shows some funny moments in pro tennis.



Also on this date:


Eat Outside Day





Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan







Melaysia’s Independence Day







White Rose Day in Australia










Independence Day in Trinidad and Tobago





National Language Day in Moldova



Birthday of educator Maria Montessori




Birthday of publisher Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin












Plan ahead:



Check out my Pinterest boards for:
  • August holidays
  • August birthdays
  • Historical anniversaries in August

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

  • September holidays
  • September birthdays
  • Historical anniversaries in September



See also  May 15, 2012 - Happy Birthday, Maria Rieche
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