Anna Wilding : I was just sent this article As we watch Wimbledon let us remember some of it’s history as we look forward. May 9, 1915: The day Anthony Wilding, the first tennis superstar, was killed in World War I and my forbear. I am now his closest descendent.it is interesting-as my name grew in the world for my own work then some smart broadcasters in in America Europe noticed I may be related. My late Dad was his closest surviving relative, and he passed the baton to me. Anthony Wilding had no children.He dated and lived with silent screen star Maxine Elliot. In those days sports was not paid professionally.I am the one who protects his legacy .I have also done most of the research throughout the world. Yes it would be great to make a film. Some quotes from the article
“However, no matter how outstanding his results were, Anthony Wilding didn’t become a legend only because of his success at tennis, but also because of his charisma.
“Anthony was an icon and good looking,” explained his great niece Anna Wilding, according to the BBC. “He was like a movie star, but on the tennis court. Tennis hadn’t ever had anyone like that, with that combination of charm, decorum and adventure. Imagine the Great Gatsby era, but he was the real deal, the toast of society. He stayed with kings and queens and prime ministers. Women swooned and fainted.” Described by his Davis Cup teammate, Norman Brookes, as “one of the finest specimens of manhood”, he was about to marry an actress, Maxine Elliott, when World War I began.” Here is the original BBC interview
Anna Wilding 