History
RALPH SLAZENGER
The elder of the two brothers to found the Slazenger business in 1881 once described it as ‘rather a small, friendly Company, despite its international operation.’ He also reflected that his father, Albert, ‘had an excellent eye for selecting splendid agents to represent us around the globe, which tended to give the impression that we were a very large organisation, but we were not. But over the years following Ralph’s humble assessment of the company he founded Slazenger has grown in size and stature to one of the leading sports companies in the World today.
FOUNDED
Founded by brother’s Ralph and Albert Slazenger in 1888, Slazenger has a long and distinguished history, which was further enhanced in 1940 with the Company’s acquisition of Ayres (est. 1810) and Sykes (est. 1875). Read on to find out how Slazenger has remained at the forefront of Sports in England and throughout the world for more than 120 years.
1890
In 1890 Gow of the Glasgow Golf Club manufactured the very first Slazenger Golf Clubs. The next year in 1891 saw the introduction of the Slazenger’s first Golf Ball, the ‘Guttie’. Using the Slazenger ball Harold Hilton won the British Open in 1892 and again in 1897.
1900
In 1902, at the request of the leading players at the time, Slazenger tennis balls were first used at Wimbledon. Also in this decade Laurie Doherty, Dorothea Douglas, Norman Brookes and Arthur Gore win multiple Wimbledon titles.
1910
In 1910 New Zealander Tony Wilding wins the first of four successive titles with an Ayres racket and William Larned wins the last of his five US open titles with Slazenger. The Company is floated in 1911.
1920
Slazenger opens their first factories in Australia (1922) and Canada in 1924 paving the way for global recognition of the brand in years to follow. In 1929 Don Bradman signs a contract to use a signature bat made by Sykes. .
1930
In 1932 Fred Perry switches to Slazenger rackets before winning his first grand slam title in the US in 1933 and the first of his three Wimbledon titles in 1934. In 1938 Len Hutton scores a record 364 against Australia.
1940
In 1942 William Sykes and Ayres merge with Slazenger in 1942 to form Slazenger’s Ltd. In 1941 Slazenger’s London factories were damaged during the Blitz forcing relocation to Horbury. 1949 saw Bobby Locke winning the first of four Open Championships with Slazenger.
1950
Ken Rosewall wins both the Australian and French Opens with this Slazenger racket in 1953 and Althea Gibson becomes Slazenger’s first Wimbledon Ladies Champion since the war. In 1959 Slazenger’s Ltd was acquired by Dunlop operating under the International Sports Company (ICS) umbrella.
1960
In 1960, Slazenger player Neale Fraser won both the US and Wimbledon Finals. 1963 saw the company register their now famous panther logo and develop an extensive clothing line. Jack Nicklaus signs with Slazenger in 1964. In 1966 Slazenger soccer balls were selected for the World Cup.
1970
1970 saw Slazenger’s Margaret Court win all four Grand Slam titles. In 1971 ICS (Slazenger’s umbrella corporation) receives the Queen’s Award to Industry and in 1976 Slazenger introduces the Graphite ‘Phantom’ Racket. 1979 saw Seve Ballesteros win his first ever Open Championship.
1980
At 23, Slazenger’s Seve Ballesteros becomes the youngest ever winner of the Augusta Masters in 1980. Dunlop Slazenger formed International formed in 1983 combining both brands under a single umbrella. 1986 saw yellow Slazenger balls played at Wimbledon for the first time. Slazenger signs Jimmy Connors in 1988.
1990
1991 saw Slazenger’s Ian Woosnam win the Masters followed by Bernard Langher in 1993 and jose-Maria Olazabel in 1994. In 1997 Wimbledon set a new all-time attendance record of 436,351 and the following year in 1998 he prize money passes the £7.5m mark.
2000
In 2002 Wimbledon and Slazenger celebrate 100 years of Slazenger balls being used being used at the event. Tim Henman switches to Slazenger rackets, reaching the Wimbledon finals in 2001 and 2002. Slazenger sign England Internationals Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior and Ian Bell as well as South Africa’s Jacques Kallis.
FUTURE
Despite its long history Slazenger today shows no signs of slowing down. The brand has gone truly global and the Company are continuing its commitment to investment from grass roots to professional level across a wide range of sports and leisure activities.
