JUNE 2021

President Cecilie McIntyre [email protected] Page 1 –3 May Dinner & AGM and Hamilton

Hon Secretary Angela Hart [email protected] Page 4 ACE Charity Auction

Vice President Russell Tills [email protected] News of Members : Page 5 Dame Ruia Morrison

Hon Treasurer Chris Ronayne [email protected] Page 6 Chris Ronayne’s Book & Parnell TC Anniversary

Link to IC Council website www.ictennis.net Page 7 Touring Players

Have a look through this website and click the flags to Page 7-11 Dropshots see news of the other countries. Page 13 Wimbledon TV and Subscriptions

After no interaction since January 2000, we have managed two enjoyable activities in May. The Brian Woolf trophy was played for in Hamilton with 18 IC members playing and many supporters enjoying a beautiful autumn day. Thanks to Peter Stokes and Sam Dean and others who helped organise this.

After holding last year’s Annual General Meeting by zoom and having to cancel the dinner in May and again in September, it was extra special to hold the 65th AGM and dinner in Auckland on the 16th of May . We had 116 members and guests and several new members were introduced.. Matt Brown, a well-known and enthusiastic broadcaster was our guest speaker, talking about how he was first attached to the team and some of his experiences as the English language commentator at Roland Garros. Unfortunately the Covid restrictions and quarantine requirements pre- prevented him from going again this year. It has been hard to share the photos from both events, most of which have been taken by Feleti so we have some of them as collages to give you an idea of the friendly functions we have held. Please email Cecilie if you would like a copy of any of these photos by themselves.

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One of the joys of the IC ...Judy Chaloner was new member Troy Tipene’s first coach and they were so Matt Brown with Greg Long. pleased to see each other again.

The Sedgman-Tills Trophy and the Brian Woolf Cup with the IC Brochures.

Angela & Pam helping before the meeting. One of the ideal aspects of the bowling club lounge is to hold the AGM at one end then move to the other for the Dinner. 2 Photos from the internal IC match played at Hamilton early May.

3 Special Auction In 2018 an initiative by the Committee established a Philanthropy section of ICNZ, similar to many other IC clubs. The ACE Programme was developed which seeks to help disadvantaged children with life skills through tennis tuition. The ACE Charitable Trust has been established so that funding and expenses for this programme are separate from the ICNZ bank account. At our recent AGM, at the conclusion of a video presentation about ICNZ's ACE Programme, committee member Don Turner showed the pairs of new tennis shoes had donated. Don spoke of Cameron’s first coach Julia Sim at the Bucklands Beach Tennis Club being responsible for him changing to play left handed. Cameron has also donated some of his playing shorts and shirts which will be given to some of the children participating in the ACE Programme. His shoes were auctioned and raised over $1400. These proceeds will go to the ACE Charitable Trust. A huge thank you to Cameron for his generosity and to our members who have also donated to the ACE Charity Trust. Incidentally, Cameron was runner up to in the cinch Queen’s Club Championship this week. His 4 wins included beating 2nd seed in the semi-final, 7/5 6/3.

Obituary Graham Johns. We are sorry to report the passing of Graham Johns, who was our IC Honorary Secretary from 1991 to 1994, and Honorary Treasurer from

1992 to 1994. He was New Zealand junior doubles winner with John A Barry in 1945-46 and a Life Member of the Eden Epsom Tennis and Squash Club. Graham and Zaira joined in several trips which our club made to Asian and South American countries. The photos on the right were taken in in January / February 1989.

Jeannette & Des Shaw with Graham

at the 2018 IC Dinner.

We were pleased Graham’s daughter Rebecca and son Chris were able to join us at last month’s AGM & Dinner. Peter Wilson, Gerda McGechan, Stuart Lugton, Athol Tills, Graham had several vintage Grantley Judge, tennis rackets and his family Zaira Johns, have asked that these be sold Graham Johns,

and the proceeds will go the Jan Judge, Tom ACE Charity Fund, a very nice Lusk , Brian Woolf gesture. John Lockington.

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. News of Members Congratulations to tennis trailblazer Ruia Morrison who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to the sport. In 1960 she was awarded the MBE. Ruia was the New Zealand Open singles champion six times between 1956 and 1964 and she won the NZ Doubles and Mixed Doubles eight times. She also beat the great Australian in the final of the NZ Invitation Tournament in 1960. In that Invitation Tournament in 1959 our Patron Jeff Robson won the Men’s final against another great Australian player, . Roy won 12 singles titles …so that was a wonderful time for two of our IC Members who are still going strong!

In 1957 Ruia competed in the Wimbledon championships, becoming the first Māori person to do so. She returned to compete another 3 times to take on the world's best, becoming a favourite of both fans and players, twice reaching the last 16 (the 4th round). Ruia was awarded Life Membership of Aotearoa Māori Tennis Association in 2001 and of in 2014. She has been a member of ICNZ since 1993. In one of her interviews last week she remarked on the mentors who opened doors for her saying, “And as the quote says ‘Friends across the net are friends across the ocean’ International tennis players are wonderful people.”

Ruia at our 2013 morning tea with Betty Kay, Dawn Rocca, Pat Guiney, Ruia with Kevin Woolcott and the late Heather the late Bill Tinnock, Judy Tinnock and Elaine Stephan. Robson in 2016. On Ruia’s first trip to Wimbledon Heather was The 4 ladies on the right in this photo were all trailblazers asked to be her chaperone and they played who played at Wimbledon. doubles together too. Ruia in 1957-60. Pat in 1958 and 59, Judy in 1954 and Elaine in 1956. Heather had also played singles there in 1954.

Aotearoa Maori Tennis worked with Ruia and the team at Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on the creation of the Ruia Morrison korowai, presented to the winner of the ASB Classic Women's singles title.

Serena Williams won this in January 2020, her only tournament win since 2017.

Congratulations Ruia on this much deserved achievement.

5 Our Hon Treasurer, Chris Ronayne, has been a busy man over the last few years researching the history of the Herne Bay Ponsonby Rackets Club. It all came to fruition with the launch to a large gathering in the Herne Bay Clubhouse in late May. A number of IC members were present to witness what is the delivery of only the third centenary book produced by an Auckland tennis club. Eden Epsom’s was the first book, having commenced in 1886, then followed Remuera, starting in 1907. Herne Bay began in 1910, although by this time there were many clubs operating throughout the country. The popularity of tennis in New Zealand in those years is unsurprising, when one recalls winning four Wimbledon Singles titles, and with winning the Davis Cup for Australasia on three occasions. Hopefully, more historical records may follow before the source documents possibly disappear and older members pass on with their memories untold. Well done Chris !

Parnell Lawn Tennis Clubs 150 year Celebrations. On the weekend of 19-21 February 2022 we will be celebrating our Club’s 150th year Anniversary. This is a huge occasion for us as a club, not only are we turning 150 years, we are the second oldest existing tennis club in the world, so you can see how exciting it is for members, past and present. Over the weekend we will be hosting an exhibition match, social play, a black tie dinner, a Wimbledon whites tournament on the Sunday followed by a cocktail party to finish off the celebrations. We have an organising committee already on the task of pulling this together and would love to contact past members of the club and friends to be added to the mailing list. If you are interested in adding yourself or anyone else you think might like to attend please send us your name, email address and cell phone number.

The PLTC would love to see you there. Please email: Julie Turner, [email protected]

Lew Gerrard, 5 times NZ singles winner and Davis Cup A couple of old Parnell TC photos from our ICNZ archives. star in the 1960’s coaching youngsters at Parnell. Can you recognise Alan Chester, Brian Woolf, Lew Gerrard, Kevin At least 3 of them (plus Lew) are now IC members ! Long, Betty Kay, Pam Long, and Jill Bignell !!

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Michael Venus and his new doubles partner Tim Puetz reached the semi- finals of the doubles on grass in Halle.

Matt Brown speaks to our players around the world frequently. Listen to these approximately 5 minute chats via the Tennis NZ or the ICNZ Facebook page. Are you aware we have an ICNZ FaceBook page?? Please ‘LIKE” and follow us on that if you are a Face- Book member. https://www.facebook.com/International-Lawn-Tennis-Club-of-New-Zealand-112739246912059/

Feleti has made the photos he took at our IC Dinner evening and the Hamilton match into videos. You may need to be a FB member to view these.

Our internal match in Hamilton early May https://www.facebook.com/feleti.sofele/videos/10159589523733767/

Facebook video IC AGM and Dinner https://www.facebook.com/762048766/posts/10159597545973767/?d=n

DROP SHOTS Roland Garros thoughts….

No grunts or squeals in the women’s final …..For the 31st and 33rd ranked women to get to the final, the standard was very good…some great shots from both players. Congratulations to Barbora Krejcikova who won both the Singles and Doubles Titles. It is the first time since 2000 when won both. It is also the 3rd time Barbora and Czech compatriot Katerina Siniakova have won doubles titles at Roland Garros after they won the title in 2018 PLUS the junior final in 2013 !!

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Barbora celebrating in Paris

Congratulations to for winning his second Roland Garros Title and his 19th Grand Slam singles after beating in 4 sets (surviving a set point in the 3rd set) and in 5 sets in the final. There was a lot of interest in the emergence of Greek tennis with Maria Sakkari losing her semi-final after holding a match point in the 3rd set.

On the left, Novak and Stefanos met at the Patrick Mouratoglou tennis academy but I am not sure which year . In the earlier 2013 photo above 15 year old Stefanos was asked who his favourite player was ...Roger he said...he liked his one handed and how he kept calm on the court!

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Crowd Size Limits In Paris the crowd was limited to 5000 in the 15,000 seat stadium. Fans had to show they had been vaccinated or tested negative in the last 72 hours, or have had Covid.

Wimbledon is different. The event will start on Monday June 28 with a 50% attendance – Wimbledon usually admits about 42,000 spectators per day – and will then rise to 100% capacity for at least the final two days. It is understood the exemption will still apply even if the live action is interrupted by rain and the roofs need to be used, thereby becoming an ‘indoor’ event. Punters attending Wimbledon will have to provide vaccine “passports” — proof of vaccinations or negative lateral flow tests. Like at Queen’s last week in south-west , face masks must be worn while moving around inside the venue but not while seated. Wimbledon is being treated as a fan pilot, exempt from strict capacity limits, despite the government’s decision to delay the easing of remaining coronavirus restrictions until July 19th.

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It will be back to all – white for Wimbledon but news that Nadal will not play there is a disappointment After 13 titles, the statue of Rafael Nadal but understandable, especially as Roland Garros was was unveiled this year. moved back a week leaving only a 2 week gap. ****************************************************************************************************** While thinking about the most recent Grand Slam event…. Tennis NZ posted a video last week showing the Italian Lorenzo Musetti playing in an ITF M15 event in Te Anau, in the deep south of NZ in January 2020. He was beaten in the quarter finals by young NZ Davis Cup player Ajeet Rai…but 18 months later in the round of 16 in Paris he won the first 2 sets against Novak before retiring when 0/4 down in the 5th set. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OIjucyrOcCE Incidentally, Rubin Statham won the Te Anau Invitational Title again this summer over doubles specialist . It was the 5th time Rubin has been the winner of this really well organised tournament which was sold out for the final day. Catered tables lined both sides of the main court plus the clubhouse. It is unlikely Musetti will be playing in Te Anau again!! 9

Future IC Council Events. We like to let our members who are based in NZ and overseas know about future events we may be able to enter teams in. Covid has caused the postponement of several events, including the South African Legends Trophy, which some of our members were planning to combine with some Australians and play in last May. They tried again, hoping to hold it last month but have had to leave it for this year. USA have also postponed their 90th anniversary celebrations from 2021: The Windmill & Merciles Trophies and La Carreta & Columbus Trophies , Juego de Pelota IC Week with the date likely to be August 21-26 in 2022 will be held in Washington DC. USA IC NZ entered a team in the Windmill Trophy when it was last held to celebrate the French 90th Anniversary in 2019. The US event will be held at the Chevy Chase club on green clay courts. Some of our older members have experienced the magnificent facilities at this venue. They plan teams events for men and women in almost all age groups. Details on hotels, clubs, transportation and meals are being worked on now. Invitations will be sent out to all clubs in early September.

One event likely to attract teams from IC Clubs round the world will be the centenary of the GB IC, August 4th -10th in 2024. GB IC They have commenced their planning already!! It is likely that this will be played at Wimbledon. We have been told that they will have teams events and they are hoping to have 24 teams for men and women. There will be consolation events for teams which lose in the first round and possibly in the second round. There will be a comprehensive social programme including dinners and sight seeing. NZ entered a team in their 75th anniversary in 1999 with a lot of supporters travelling to visit other IC clubs on the way. It was one of the few times the Wimbledon grass courts had been used for other than the Championships or by club members. This will be a very special occasion for IC members around the 42 IC countries. Our members should keep their eye on the Events section of the IC Council website www.ictennis.net

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Caroline was a special favourite at the ASB Classic...coming the first time when an up and coming player in 2009. She came back every year between 2015 and 2020 but the title eluded her in spite of being a finalist twice.

Venus won their thrilling 2015 final.

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The time honoured tradition of the Stefanos umpires at Roland Garros hopping off Life isn't about winning or losing. It's about enjoying every single their chairs to inspect the marks left moment in life whether that's alone or with others. near lines came under scrutiny again Living a meaningful life without misery and abjection. during a vital game towards the end Lifting trophies and celebrating wins is something, but not everything. of Barbora Krejcikova’s semi-final victory over Maria Sakkari. 5 minutes before entering the court my As it turned out the umpire was very beloved grandmother lost her proven wrong to overturn a point battle with life. A wise woman whose when Barbora thought she had won faith in life, and willingness to give and when leading 8-7 in the 3rd set. provide can't be compared to any The Hawkeye being used by the TV other human being that I have ever networks but not the officials, met. It's important to have more indicated the ball was out. people like her in this world. Due to the nature of the clay courts Because people like her make you the French Open does not need to come alive. They make you dream. rely on the use of electronic line- I would like to say that regardless of the calling which is used in the other 3 day, circumstance or situation, this is Grand Slam events and many other entirely dedicated to her, and only her. tournaments. Thank you for raising my father. Without him this wouldn't have been possible.

Since the last newsletter when we told you how Lewis Simmons, the grandson of Athol Tills, developed the TNNS app when the previous ATP/WTA app was no longer available, I’ve had messages from members thanking me for featuring this very handy app. Lewis is also pleased with the reaction he has had from all around the world.

TNNS is a Universal Live Scores App for Tennis - built by fans for the fans.

One place for all Grand Slam, ATP World Tour, WTA, ATP Challenger and ITF Tour events. One place to find and follow all of your favourite tournaments, players, matches and rankings. TNNS is universal, easy-to-use and free.

On TNNS you'll find: - Live Scores - Live Match Statistics (for several tours) - Completed Matches

- Orders of Play (including what time matches start in your time-zone) - Draws - Rankings - Tournament Calendar - Player Bios & Head to Head Records Notifications telling you when players from a chosen match come on court with updates after each set. and so much more !!

11 . The tournament was cancelled in early June for Congratulations to our representative the second straight year in the U K , Mark Hadley and Jo, who because of the COVID-19 pandemic. have sent news of the recent birth of Tournament organizer Roger Brennwald their daughter Arabella. said “many questions remain unanswered” for the Oct. 25-31 event Mark was Captain of our team at the despite falling infection rates in IC week and also hosted the Switzerland. ” IC Evening held in London at NZ House just prior to the last Wimbledon The list of injured stars who will Tournament.in 2019. be missing Wimbledon this year has grown with , and injured while there are still concerns over reigning champion . is expected to play in his first event outside in 15 months.

Preparations going on for the Wimbledon Championships, even under the covers in the rain last week.

12 DROP SHOTS continued This year in NZ Sky Sport has the rights to cover Wimbledon, after losing them years ago to TVNZ. Sky Sport 3 will have all night viewing, with repeats during the day. Sky Sport 8 From 10 pm Monday 28th and into the day on Tuesday : Live Wimbledon Extra 1 Sky Sport 9 From 10pm till 8.30 am Live Extra 2 Highlights will be 5-6 pm starting on Tuesday 29th on Sky Sport 2 but may be different each day.

Thoughts from Nadal before deciding not to play at Wimbledon. "There is nothing with my ankle. The protection was due to my 's said Friday it would be "a problem in the scaphoid that I have played since 2005." shame and no fun" if his home Olympics takes "When I play according to what type of games it hurts but I am used place without spectators. to it. It has no impact on the result." "It swells over time and I https://news360.com/article/557273708 needed to take it off because the feeling was unbearable. This is all." The latest news is they will try to have 50% "I will not play the Mallorca Championships. I am the age that I am, capacity, but local doctors are not enthusiastic. I would love to play in front of the spectators at home but there is no choice." "The first reason is because I never play in the week before a Grand Slam. I also don't feel ready to start training on grass in three days. It is unsustainable.” “I don't know what I'll do in my future." "After two intense months in a positive gravel season without having achieved the final goal, I have managed to achieve two titles." "The body after so much struggle usually suffers a slump. Wimbledon this year is in two weeks. It's different from when I was 25 years old. I am 35 and you have to see how I recover in every way." “I need to digest it all, be calm, take a few days off and go home. We have been locked up in Paris for two and a half weeks and I need to breathe a little, enjoy the good weather in Mallorca and what is going to happen is of little importance" "I am sad to have lost in the most important tournament of the year for me, but life goes on, it is nothing more than a defeat on a " "Although it is a very important tournament for me, I am aware that you cannot win it 15 or 16 times," "Next year I will come again, God willing, with the belief and with the necessary work to be able to give myself another chance" Subscriptions The Subscription accounts were emailed to members recently. These have been kept to $50 for Members and Hon Members living in NZ. Please attend to these as soon as possible …it is very easy to forget them otherwise. A reminder that the bank Account number is ASB Bank 12-3011-0310411-00

Members living overseas are not charged a subscription but if any of you would like to contribute to our ACE Charity (Featured on Page 4 ) to help pay for the lessons for disadvantaged children who are being taught life skills through tennis, that would be much appreciated. We thank Ian Crookenden for being an annual donor. This is a separate Charitable Trust account with a different number . ASB Bank 12-3435-0023993-00

All news from members is welcome for the next Newsletter. Previous issues can be read on the IC Council Website. Click on the NZ flag on the lower right of the home page and then the Noticeboard. Enjoy the overnight viewing coming up from Wimbledon. For the committee Cecilie

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