Deykin played his first tennis event in at the 1881 Oxford University Champion Tournament (whilst studying there) losing in the first round.

He then played at the Leicester Open Lawn Tennis Tournament progressing to the final, before losing to Charles Hoadley Ashe Ross in four sets.

This year he reached a third consecutive final at the Midland Counties Championships against Harry Stanley Scrivener, but was beaten in straight sets.

[6] He then played the Exmouth Lawn Tennis Club Tournament, but lost in the final to one of the top players in the world at that time Ernest Wool Lewis.

Deykin also reached the Staffordshire Tennis Tournament final for the second time before losing to Irishman Grainger Chaytor.

[8] John died on 30 March 1899 at the age of 37 the organisers of the Midland Counties tournament named the silverware awarded to winners of the gentleman's singles handicap event 'The Deykin Memorial Challenge Cup',[9] to be played for the following year.