Just over a century ago. Played on 31 May 1915 between H. E. Nisbet (ex-champion) and S. H. Green (Colony's defending champion) at the Hong Kong Cricket Club. Nisbet won 0-6, 9-7, 6-2, 5-7 and 6-4. China Mail 1 June 1915 refers. The papers of the day refer the name of the victor as Nisbet which is different from the spelling in the photograph.
Comments
Nisbet d. Green 1915 Hong Kong Cricket Club Tennis Match
If this was a final and it was won by Nisbet over Green, then it must have been 1914, as Hisbet never won another final after that? Can you confirm?
Re: Tennis Match
One can search in the newspapers of the day as explained here I have provided the newspaper source above for your perusal of the requested information.
OK, I found the China Mail
OK, I found the China Mail article, thanks. According to records from the tennis association, H.A. Nisbet and S.E. Green met in the final of the Hong Kong Grass Court Championships held at the Cricket Club twice, won by Nisbet in 1914 and by Green in 1917. Also, Green won the tournament in 1915. So, if Nisbet beat Green in May 1915, then it couldn't have been during the Hong Kong Grass Court Championships. It could have been an exhibition match, but the article didn't give the actual name of the event. The China Mail reporter must have gotten their initials wrong because when talking about ex-champions and defending champions, it couldn't have been anyone else other than H.A. Nisbet and S.E. Green. The photo is incredible though where was it found?
Re: Photo
Like many photos of the time, I think this particular photo is from a photographic studio that covered the duel beteeen the two champions. Hence, the photographic number at bottom right. The quick research at the time the scanned photo was posted was that it was an 'exhibition match'. That said, the other English newspapers like the Hong Kong Telegraph or the Hong Kong Daily Press of the same time-frame may be able to provide a better explanation of the origin of the match.
i am not able to access this particular photo at the present time.
History of tennis in Hong Kong
Thank you for the information. For someone who is interested in the history of tennis in Hong Kong (written content, photos, and videos), what's the best way to search for it?
Re: Photo
Viewed the Hong Kong Daily Press dated 1 June 1915. The contest (not a final) was to determine unofficially the "men's tennis champion" of Hong Kong. Proceeds of the match were devoted to the Prince of Wales' Fund.
As for the photo, one may have to refer to auction sites or wait for listings from sellers.
Photo
It's interesting how the Daily Press article is worded. Like you pointed out, it was labelled a "contest" and not a final. Yet, it did not mention the victor's next opponent. So, it could perhaps be a one-off exhibition. The article also did not mention the name of the contest, which is very unusual in sports. However, it said: "At times Green played so forcefully and well and...everyone must’ve thought that we should have to hail a brand new champion". The thought of a "brand new champion" surely implied that it was a final of some sort.
The War Years
Given WWI was on, it would not be unusual for a charity-cum-exhibition contest to be held.
The War Years
I believe the latter stages of the then Hong Kong Grass Court Championships at the Cricket Club always required a small admission fee, and they tended to be packed to the rafters.