Ralph Slazenger - Biography

Ralph Slazenger (1845 – 24 October 1910) was the founder of the Slazenger sports goods company. He started with his brothers Albert Slazenger and Isaac Slazenger in a significant general outfitting network based in Manchester before moving to London to start a rubber sports goods business noted for its tennis balls and golf balls. In 1905 Slazenger was appointed the official tennis ball supplier for Wimbledon for which it still remains today making it the longest known sporting sponsorship in the world. Slazenger was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1910 by which stage it was one of the most significant sports businesses in the United Kingdom.