Sidney Wood
Toronto Daily Star, June 20 1932
Sidney Wood (1911-2009) played in the French open and Wimbledon at the age of 15, becoming the youngest competitor to appear in either tournament. He was the Wimbledon singles champion in 1931, becoming the only champion ever to win the final unopposed when the other finalist, Frank Shields, withdrew due to an ankle injury.
Wood later designed a synthetic playing surface used on indoor tennis courts in the 1970s. He was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1964. His son, Colin, was the subject for Diane Arbus's photograph Child With Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park.
Created October 31, 2025.