Oliver Campbell

Oliver Samuel Edward Michael Campbell (February 25, 1871 – July 11, 1953) was an American male tennis player who won the three consecutive singles titles at the U.S. Championships from 1890 through 1892.

Education Campbell was educated at Columbia College, graduating in 1891 and was posthumously inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Career Campbell remained the youngest male champion of the U.S. singles title for over a century, a record that stood for generations. He did it as a 19-year, 6 months and 9 days old student in 1890. That record went to fellow American Pete Sampras, 19 years and 28 days, when he won the title in 1990.

Campbell defended his title in the challenge round matches in 1891, defeating Clarence Hobart, and in 1892, defeating Fred Hovey, but did not defend it in 1893 and thereby defaulted the title to Robert Wrenn. The challenge round against Clarence Hobart was the first title match played over five sets.

In addition to his singles titles Campbell won the men's doubles titles at the U.S. National Championships in 1888, 1891 and 1892.

His other career singles highlights include winning the Tropical Championships on hard courts at the St. Augustine, Florida on four occasions (1889–1891, 1894). he also won the Englewood Open twice (1987–1888). He won single events at the New York Tennis Club Open (1886), the Orange Spring Tournament (1887), the Westchester Lawn Tennis Club (Invitation) (1888), the Elberon Casino Invitation (1888), New Hamburg Invitation (1888), the Nahant Invitation (1890), South Side Field Club (1890) and the Narragansette Pier Open (1890). In addition he was a finalist at the Flushing Athletic Club Open (1889).

Campbell was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1955.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (3 titles)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScoreWin 1890 U.S. Championships Grass Henry Slocum 6–2, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1Win 1891 U.S. Championships Grass Clarence Hobart 2–6, 7–5, 7–9, 6–1, 6–2Win 1892 U.S. Championships Grass Fred Hovey 7–5, 3–6, 6–3, 7–5

Doubles (3 titles, 2 runner-ups)