The history 'Newport Athletic Club 1875-1925' records that Lawn Tennis was introduced at Newport Athletic Club within four years of the foundation of the Club. The first court probably being set out in 1879 with the first Tennis Committee in 1881 and being recognised in the name of the Club in 1884 when it became Newport Cricket, Athletic, Football and Tennis Club. In 1897 the organisation of the Welsh Lawn Tennis Championship Tournament was taken over attracting top players of the day. By 1902 no less than 12 courts were in use. 1906 saw a large increase in playing members and Newport chosen for the final of the International Davis Cup Competition between America, who came to the tie with a walk-over of Austria, and Australasia, similarly with a walk-over of France. The history relates "This was an event of great importance in the Tennis world, and it was a great compliment to the Club to have their ground selected."

The American team included Raymond Demorest Little, who was ranked in the U.S. top 10 eleven times between 1900 and 1912, his highest ranking coming in 1907 when he was ranked 4th., who had also won the intercollegiate tennis title for Princeton University in 1900 and New Yorker Holcombe Ward, best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the USA National Championships in 1904 and the London Grass Court Championships (now known as Queen's Club Championships) in 1905.

The Australasian players were Anthony Frederick Wilding from Christchurch, New Zealand who was very much a tennis superstar of his age. Helping Australasia to three consecutive Davis Cups between 1907 and 1909, and again in 1914, at singles he won the Australian Open twice and Wimbledon four times. There were six doubles successes to his name as well. Sadly he was to be killed in action in World War I. The second member of the Australasian team was Leslie Oswald Sheridan Poidevin, who was known principally as an Australian first class cricketer playing for New South Wales and Lancashire, but had won the Queensland men's singles title in 1899 and 1900, the Swiss Open in 1906 and the European Doubles Championship in 1909.

The tie began on Thursday, 7th June, The Times covered it briefly in its editions over the three days 8th, 9th and 11th June 1906 as follows:-

On Friday, 8th:- "LAWN TENNIS."

"THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP."

"The final round of the preliminary competition for the international championship (the Davis Cup) between Australasia and America was begun at Newport (Mon.) yesterday. The round consists of four single matches and one double match, and yesterday's programme comprised two singles. The results were:-"

"International Championship. Preliminary Competition.- Final Round - Mr. H. Ward (America) beat Mr. L. O. S. Poidevin (Australasia) by three sets to love (6 - 2, 6 - 4, 7 - 5); Mr. A. F. Wilding (Australasia) beat Mr. R. D. Little (America) by three sets to love (6 - 2, 8 - 6, 6 - 1)."

"The doubles match between Mr. H. Ward and Mr. R. D. Little (America) and A. F. Wilding and Mr. L. O. S. Poidevin (Australasia) will be played to-day, and the remaining two matches in the Singles will be played to-morrow. The winners of the tie meet the British Isles (holders) for the championship."

On Saturday, 9th:- "The doubles match in the final round of the preliminary competition, between America and Australasia, was played at Newport (Mon.) yesterday. The American pair won by three sets to love. They showed the better generalship and combination. Mr. Ward's "drop strokes" and placing were features of the match. The result was:-"

"International Championship. - Preliminary Competition. - Final Round. - Doubles. - Mr. Holcombe Ward and Mr. R. D. Little (America) beat MR. A. F. Wilding and Mr. L. O. S. Poidevin (Australasia) by three sets to love (7 - 5, 6 - 2, 6 - 4)."

On Monday, 11th:- "The final round of the preliminary competition between America and Australasia was concluded at Newport (Mon.) on Saturday. Mr. Wilding accomplished an excellent performance in beating Mr. Ward. The winner's driving was very effective, and he was more master of the American's service than on the preceeding day. The other match ended in favour of Mr. Little, and America accordingly won the tie by three matches to two. Saturday's results were:-"

"International Championship. - Final round (concluded). - Mr. A. F. Wilding (Australasia) beat Mr. Holcombe Ward (America) by three seta to two (6 - 3, 3 - 6, 0 - 6, 6 - 4, 8 - 6); Mr. R. D. Little (America) beat Mr. L. O . S. Poidevin (Australasia by three sets to one (6 - 2, 1 - 6, 7 - 5, 6 - 2)."

"America will meet the British Isles (holders) in the challenge round on the 15th, 16th, and 18th of this month at Wimbledon."

The Penny Illustrated News of 16th June 1906 summed the tie up simply as "Wilding was playing for the honour of Australasia last week-end, but, unfortunately, L. O. S. Poidevin was not up to form, and this caused the Colonials to meet defeat from the American pair, Ward and Little."

For the record the British Isles defeated America 5 - 0 in the Challenge Round to win the cup.