The first Wimbledon final lasted 48 minutes.
The final of the 1877 Wimbledon Championship was played between Spencer Gore and William Marshall. Gore won in three straight sets, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4, in a match that lasted just 48 minutes. That brief duration reflected the tournament’s early rules, playing conditions, and style of tennis rather than the modern professional game.
The final took place on 19 July after rain delayed the scheduled contest for several days. About 200 spectators watched, each paying one shilling. Gore, a 27-year-old rackets player, used aggressive volleying to defeat Marshall, a 28-year-old real-tennis player known for a more defensive style.
The 48-minute figure describes playing time for the inaugural final, not the length of the entire championship. It also should not be confused with the tournament dates, which stretched over several days because of rain and scheduling. Modern Wimbledon finals are typically much longer, especially since changes in equipment, athleticism, scoring pressure, and court coverage transformed top-level tennis.