Richard Richardson (tennis)
Richard Taswell Richardson was a British tennis player in the early years of Wimbledon.
Personal
Richardson was son of Reverend Richard Richardson. He got a law degree from Oxford University. In 1879 he was called to the bar of the Inner Temple as a lawyer. He was a Justice of the Peace.Tennis career
Richardson's tennis career was brief but successful. He won the Northern Tennis tournament in Manchester in 1880, 1881 and 1882. At Wimbledon 1880, Richardson lost to Herbert Lawford in five sets in round three. In May 1881 he was defeated by Herbert Lawford again in the final of the Irish Championships in Dublin. In June 1881 he was a finalist at the Waterloo Lawn tennis tournament in Liverpool. In July 1881 he beat Ernest Renshaw before losing to William Renshaw in the All comer's final at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon 1882 Richardson beat Otway Woodhouse before losing to Ernest Renshaw in the All comer's final. At Wimbledon 1883 he lost his first match to Charles Grinstead and didn't play the tournament again. Richardson was also a fine cricketer. He played 5 matches for the MCC from 1876-1877. He played his last career tournament at Waterloo in June 1884 losing to Donald Stewart in four sets in the semi finals.Grand Slam finals
Singles (2 runners-up)
Singles titles and finals
Note: denotes Liverpool as location Manchester tournament alternated till 1929| Legend |
| Winner |
| Runner up |
| Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 1. | May 1880 | Northern Lawn Tennis Championships | Grass |  Walter Edwin Fairlie | 6–0, 6–3, 6–0 |
| Loss | 2. | May 1881 | Irish Championships | Grass |  Herbert Lawford | 7–5, 5–7, 6–3, 4–6, 7–9 |
| Win | 3. | Jun 1881 | Waterloo Lawn Tennis Championships | Grass |  N. C. Jones | 6–0, 6–0 |
| Win | 4. | Jun 1881 | Northern Lawn Tennis Championships | Grass | John Comber | 6–1, 6–1, 6–0 |
| Loss | 5. | Jul 1881 | Wimbledon Championships | Grass | William Renshaw | 4–6, 2–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 6. | May 1882 | Northern Lawn Tennis Championships | Grass | Ernest Renshaw | 6–1, 3–6, 5–7, 6–4, 11–9 |
| Loss | 7. | Jul 1882 | Wimbledon Championships | Grass | Ernest Renshaw | 5–7, 3–6, 6–2, 3–6 |