CENTENARY TENNIS CLUBS ASSOCIATION
Welcome to the new official newsletter of the Centenary
Tennis Clubs Association.
We will keep you updated on our latest news, events, competitions and membership and partners in this online bulletin.
ABOUT US The Association of Centenary Foreword Tennis Clubs (CTC) is an umbrella group of clubs more than 100 It is a great honour for me as President of the years old, including some of the Centenary Tennis Clubs Association to address most prestigious clubs in the all the members of our Association that today sport. Initially founded by eight can be found across the five continents. The European clubs, we now have an Centenary Tennis Clubs Association (CTC) has extensive and truly global mem- the mission of promoting the sport of tennis bership and are recognised and amongst the clubs, organizing social, sporting supported by the sport’s govern- and cultural events always with special attention ing body, the International Tennis to the values of sport, fair play and solidarity. Federation (ITF). All member clubs have a history dating back The Association was founded on June 11, 1996 at least one hundred years, with a and based at the Olympic Museum of significant sporting tradition and Lausanne, counting with the support of the social role. President of the IOC at the time, Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch. Eight European Clubs ISSUE #1 were the founders of the Association and thanks January 2015 to their great support and work a basis for the Samaranch and I remain true to those aims. future was established. Mr Samaranch was Finally I would like to state that it is my goal to INSIDE especially supportive of the Association and we be close to the Clubs and to listen to their pro- P2: Victory for TC Parioli were privileged to have his invaluable advice. posals and goals in order to plan for the future P3: 2014 Competitions Round-Up The CTC today is active in five continents and with optimism and positive projects. P10:The Big Bang of Tennis in offers a unique opportunity for member clubs to Argentina foster close relationships. I would like to take this opportunity to greet all P11: Tennis & the Olympic Games of the Clubs and their partners, and I hope that The CTC is affiliated to Tennis Europe and to you enjoy this first edition of our newsletter. CONTACT the International Tennis Federation. Personally CENTENARY TENNIS CLUBS I have devoted my activity with passion as CTC Sincerely yours, BOSCH I GIMPERA 5-13 President to create a relevant Association for BARCELONA 08034 the global sports action. The desire to reach for Juan Maria Tintoré (President) SPAIN high goals was always present in Mr.
+34 93 203 7852 [email protected] TC Parioli Defends Winners’ Group Title CTC
Tournaments: TC Parioli 1906 of Rome, Italy, has successful- biting 5-4 win over the host team RC Polo, 5-4. A Guide ly defended the Centenary Tennis Clubs The second semi-final saw the RCTB 1899 Winners’ Group title after a busy weekend at defeat the Irish team 6-3. RC Polo in Barcelona. On the final day, the competition got an early Four teams took part in the final rounds of the start and was able to finish before some unsea- competition in which the defending champions sonal rainstorms arrived in Barcelona. The were joined by the winners of the previous defending champions beat the RCTB 1899 6-3, year’s senior groups. Fitzwilliam LTV 1877 of while Fitzwilliam claimed third place as the host Ireland also took a spot alongside the hosts and club suffered another 5-4 defeat. The winning RCT Barcelona 1899 after TC Géneve pulled team of TC Parioli was comprised of Ugo out of the competition. Biagganti, M. Ribbechi, Eduardo Mazza, Luigi Scuderi, Daniela Cigna, Elisabetta Morici and The member clubs of the Each of the ties consisted of nine matches Francesca Todaro. Centenary Tennis Clubs including senior men’s and women’s doubles, Association organise a number plus mixed doubles. The social side of the Competition was high- of special tournaments through- lighted by a bike ride around the Barcelona out the year. The competition began on a sunny Saturday night and an official dinner at the RC Polo. where the TC Parioli was able to edge to a nail- CTC senior competitions are typically held in groups, with mixed teams of male and female players. The winner of each group advances to the
‘Winners’ Group’ for a special competition to decide the CTC champion each year.
A growing variety of junior events, player exchanges, continental competitions and special events are also staged each year and are summarised on the following pages.
The CTC encourages all our member clubs to participate at these events, which are greatly enjoyed by the players and offer a unique opportunity to travel, compete and create llasting frienships through sport. 2014 Competitions Round-up
SENIORS - ATHENS was the winner by a score of 6 to 3. end and the competition was played under Clubs from Athens LTC, Real Sociedad de a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere, with Tenis La Magdalena and Tennis Club The social side of the competition saw a all participants joining in with the host Genova, gathered for a three-team Round welcome party on the eve of the club’s Saturday night celebrations of the Robin format competition of the CTC Championships, where members from 150th anniversary. Seniors Group in Athens on the weekend each team got the chance to meet each of September 27. other while the captains revised the final This was the first time that TC Lyon had details of the event. On the Saturday participated in such a competition since The event began with Spain’s Real night, the Club’s restaurant hosted the offi- joining the Centenary Tennis Clubs Sociedad against TC Genova of Italy. The cial dinner with a really friendly atmos- Association and it was a perfect debut for two teams were inseparable, with a mixed phere, with players exchanging gifts and the club - at the end of the two day event, doubles match to decide the winner when visitors having the opportunity to get a and captained by Jean Francois Lagloire, the tie reached 4-4. Eventually Real taste of local Greek products. the hosts emerged as champions of the Sociedad de Tenis La Magdalena claimed tournament. Carrickmines finished in sec- the win. The next match saw Athens LTC SENIORS LYON ond position with Rot Weiss Berlin in third. and TC Genova face off, with each time On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, featuring exciting players, such as Stefano the Tennis Club Lyon recently organized a SENIORS PADOVA Valle and Christopher Boggetti. The host CTC Seniors competition group, which CT Padova hosted a Centenary Tennis team won the tie by a score of 6 to 3. saw teams from the Rot-Weiss Berlin and Clubs Senior competition from 19-21 Carrickmines of Dublin joining the host September. The event was won by the The Tournament winner was therefore club at the event. host team, who beat Cesky from Prague decided between Real Sociedad de Tenis 5-4 in the final. Third place went to Wiener La Magdalena and Athens Lawn Tennis Unfortunately, TC Milano Bonacossa had Park from Vienna and the fourth position Club, with both teams showing a great to default their participation the competi- by Salk from Stockholm (the tie ended 5-2 level of play. Amongst the team members tion, so the event was turned into a round for Vienna). were the Santander club’s Vice President robin format, giving all clubs the opportu- Mr. Enrique Teran and on the host team nity to play against each other. There were some exciting matches in the Mr. Konstantinos Efframoglou, the club’s finals between Padova and Prague, the Secretary General. Finally the host team The sun was there during the whole week- matches being very demanding with the
Photos: Players at Lyon, action in Athens 2014 Competitions Round-up highest levels of play on the courts. dancing in the mixture of countries and dif- Padova’s team was formed by Davis Cup ferent languages as everybody had a On Saturday, Villa Primrose Bordeaux player and former world number 18 Omar great time. Vice President of TC Padova won over KLTK Stockholm (8/1) and Le Tir Camporese, Alessandro Fornaro and Michele Scapolo said, “For Padova it has beat HLTC Leimonias, 5/4. On Sunday, Dario Pizzato, the latter both backed by a been an honour to have hosted one of the Villa Primrose, whose team was com- best ATP ranking around the 700th posi- four rounds of the Centenary Club; we are prised of former top French players or cur- tion in the world; other players included obviously happy with the results, but also rent top players in their age categories, Stefano Tacchini and Marta Conean. The of how these three days of tennis and fun was superior to Le Tir and won the CTC Prague team relied mainly on the ranking have been going on. Next year we will Cup by a score of 7/2. of the women: a former world number 30, enter the final stages of the event that will another former number 86, both players of decide on the winners of the title that is The third-place match between HLTC the Federation Cup for former biennal. Many thanks to everybody, home Leimonias and KLTK Stockholm was Czechoslovakia. But there were many players and guests as well as to the staff extremely tight and ended up being decid- other athletes on the courts playing the of the club for these days of great tennis". ed by the mixed doubles match after the matches with a past and a present “to Here's a video of highlights from the week- eight previous matched left the two teams boast." end: http://youtu.be/2D8bP7iA2Qs level at 4/4. Neither team wanted to go back home with two defeats but the two The event was complete not only because SENIORS LE TIR teams were eventually separated when there have been demanding matches on On October 4-5th 2014, LE TIR (Paris, HLTC Leimonias claimed the 3rd-set the courts but also because really lovely France) hosted a CTC seniors tournament super tiebreak at 10/8! The Dutch team people came over to Padova, and took gathering a Swedish team from KLTK was all the more proud because it was advantage of the chance to socialize and Stockholm, a Dutch team from HLTC their first victory at a CTC competition. make new friends. All the team members Leimonias (The Hague), and a French and spectators enjoyed the matches team from Villa Primrose (Bordeaux). The event was played in a great atmos- where all the players were committed to phere between all four teams during the winning, but always with class and fair 9 matches were played by each team on whole week-end with a competitive spirit play. Saturday and on Sunday, with over 35 & blended with friendship, laughs and fair- over 45 categories men’s and ladies’ cate- play. After such 2 days, the teams were The final night featured a Gala event with gories in action, plus one mixed doubles left hoping that the next CTC week-end a delicious dinner followed by singing and match. will take place very soon.
Photo: The Seniors event in Le Tir 2014 Junior Competitions Notes on upcoming U17 FITZWILLIAM CUP competitions in The team from Fitzwilliam LTC was the winner 2015 of the recent third edition of the Fitzwilliam Cup. Played under a round-robin format at the Real Delhi Gymkhana Club has Sociedad de Tenis La Magdalena, the Irish confirmed that it will once again were the strongest team, defeating the Kungl organise the CTC tournament, LTK team by 6 matches to 0 and the host team with a provisional date of by 5 to 1. November 2015.
The third-place tie between the Swedish team Royal Kings Park from and the hosts had a result of 5 to 1 for Kungl Australia has expressed an LTK, but the score did not reflect the level of the The children’s club was located just across the interest in organizing a four day, matches, all of which finished with very close road and we were told that up until the age of 17 over 50’s grass court scores and some nailbiting finishes. For you trained in the children's club. I previously Tournament in week two of instance, La Magdalena player Patri represented Fitzwilliam in 2012 in Sweden and January 2016. The club would Sagasitzabal held a 6-1 3-1 advantage but was 2013 in Dublin on the same trip but the host fam- be able to host teams from unable to close out a victory, and the girls’ dou- ilies was new for me this year. Arriving at the eight different countries, each bles was lost on the super tiebreak by a score club we were all anxious to meet our hosts. I team comprising 3 or 4 men of 11-9. stayed with a Spanish girl called Carmela and and 3 or 4 women. the other two girls stayed in a different house My experience at the Fitzwilliam Cup, by nearby. I recognised Carmela from the previous The annual Centenary Tennis Lauren Deegan, Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis year as she had travelled to Dublin and played Clubs Dinner at Roehampton Club: in Fitzwilliam the year before in the same fixture. will take place on the middle
Sunday of the Wimbledon From 2 October to 5 October 2014, I went to The competition started on the Friday and we Championships, Sunday July 5, Santander in Spain as part of an u17 team rep- played both Spain and Sweden leaving us with 2015, from 6:30 p.m. resenting Fitzwilliam with Julie Byrne, Georgia Saturday as a day off. We beat both Spain and Drummy, Simon Carr, Morgan Lohan and Sean Sweden resulting in Fitzwilliam being the over- Collins. Jimmy McDonogh and Caroline all winners. On the Friday evening we all ate McNulty accompanied us on the trip. together in the club and then returned to our host families and on Saturday we were present- This event consisted of centenary clubs ed with our medals. The sun was shining on Magdelana Club from Santander and Kunglinga Saturday afternoon so we decided to go down club from Sweden. We arrived in Santander on to the beach for a swim before going to visit the the Thursday evening and were brought straight museum nearby. Afterwards our hosts took us to the club to practice and meet our host fami- into the centre to get frozen yoghurt. We lies. The club is located right on the sea front returned to the club after dinner for a party. We with a magnificent view of the coast. We were all thoroughly enjoyed the weekend in then given a tour of the club and facilities and it Santander, none of us having been there greatly exceeded our expectations. It had five before. It was a great experience and a great outdoor clay courts and a massive swimming privilege to represent Fitzwilliam. pool overlooking the sea. We were told that the Davis Cup finals were held in the club in 2000. Photos: (Above) Players and coaches at the Fitzwilliam Cup, (Below) Players at the Rot-Weiss Berlin Cup
U16 LTTC ROT-WEISS BERLIN CUP day and were picked up by club members. The Berliners were capable of using the Almost 20 years ago the Lawn Tennis The Friday program covered some training home terrain as an advantage and won the Tournament Club (LTTC) Rot-Weiss Berlin in the club and sightseeing to get first Cup with three wins and no loss. After an and seven other European tennis clubs impressions of Berlin. Some of the juniors intense match for second place on Sunday, with a tradition of one hundred years stayed with families others in a hostel not Carrickmines was able to secure it against founded the CTC Association. The very too far from the club. the two teams from Barcelona. RCTB first CTC Tournament of Seniors took place came in third, the Barcelona Polo Club on these courts in Berlin in 1997. Now, in The tournament games themselves were played very good tennis but , unfortunate- July 2014, Rot-Weiss organized their first held on Saturday and Sunday. When the ly, came in fourth. Junior Competition U16 with participants players were not on the courts, they from the CTC community. watched other matches or socialized with All in all, the members of LTTC Rot-Weiss members of other teams. LTTC Rot-Weiss saw very good tennis and obviously all In the tennis world Rot-Weiss Berlin is well placed an emphasis on having meals as a players and coaches enjoyed the interna- known for many tournaments. For thirty whole group so that the young athletes of tional experience and the atmosphere of years we had hosted the International the four teams got the chance to exchange the competition. After returning home the Ladies German Open with the top tennis experiences with others. teams made clear that they did not regret players. Steffi Graf won the tournament coming to Berlin. Realizing that this was an nine times. Later Rot-Weiss organized the Lunch and dinner were eaten at one long under 16 event, one can be confident that International German Juniors, a tier 1 tour- table with close to 25 people sitting around this was not the last international champi- nament with juniors from all over the world. it. onship for some of the athletes. It has just taken place in July this year. And a week later Rot-Weiss hosted the 1st Berlin CTC Cup 2014, a tennis event for CTC teams from Barcelona and Dublin.
The guest teams represented Real Club de Tenis Barcelona – 1899, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, and Carrickmines Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club from Ireland. The five juniors and one or two accompani- ments of each team arrived at the two air- ports of Berlin on Friday throughout the Photos: (Above) Events in Prague (left) and Carrickmines (right). Below, the U14 RCTB Cup
U14 PRAGUE located and they enjoyed lunch and dinner es and one double for each gender per tie. The I.CLTK in Prague hosted the CTC jun- at club restaurant. Official dinner with On this occasion, the host club was able ior competition under-14 from 17-19 short speeches from all captains was to end the two-year reign of ICLTK October. A total of six teams took part, hosted by Mr. Petr Simunek, board mem- Prague, edging past the visitors by a slim including the host club who was joined by ber of I.CLTK, on the Saturday night. margin in the final. RC Polo beat squads from Dublin, London, Barcelona Carrickmines to claim third position over- and Stockholm. U14 RCTB CUP all. The Real Club de Tennis Barcelona-1899 The six teams were divided into two hosted the third edition of the CTC U14 The event was complimented by a social round-robin groups, with Cumberland LTC RCTB-1899 Cup during the final three programme which saw the players able to (GBR), RCTB-1899 (ESP) and Kung LTK days of August. enjoy a bowling afternoon and a visit to (SWE) in the first group, and I. CLTK Four teams took part in the friendly com- Barcelona’s famous Tibidabo amusement (CZK), Carrickmines (IRL) and RC Polo petition –during which the host team was park. (ESP) in the second group. joined by those from ICLTK Prague, Carrickmines of Dublin and RC Polo U12 CARRICKMINES CUP The winners from last year, Cumberland (Barcelona). Six Centenary Tennis Clubs competed LTC were narrowly defeated by I.Cesky again in year’s tournament held in Lawn Tenis Club Praha in the tightest ever The visiting teams where all hosted by Carrickmines from the 28th to the 30th of final. Both teams finished 3-3 all in match- families of the host team, enabling the August. es and at the end only one set gave the players to forge new friendships and Czechs victory in the tournament. enhance their language skills. The hosts, Carrickmines, won the tourna- ment for the first time defeating the The visiting teams stayed during the tour- The competition was played with a Round I.Cesky Klub, from the Czech Republic in nament at Belvedere hotel near Stvanice Robin format and consisted of two boys’ the final match. island where I. Cesky Lawn Tenis Club is singles matches, two girls’ singles match- This was the first defeat for the Czechs who had won all seven pre- vious editions of the tournament.
The following clubs participated in this year’s tournament: Carrickmines (Dublin), Cumberland LTC (London), RCT Barcelona, Real Club de Polo (Barcelona), I.Cesky (Prague, RC Magdalena (Santander). There was a new format this year, with each team playing a first round match seeded on last year’s results. This determined who played in the cup and plate sections with Carrickmines winning overall and RC Magdalena winning the Shield.
Photo: the U12s at Carrickmines.
Charlie O’Kelly: My experience of CTC competitions...
My name is Charlie O'Kelly. I am 18 and a member of Carrickmines Tennis Club in Dublin, Ireland. I've played ten- nis here from a very young age and competed in tournaments as a junior all over Ireland.
The CTC competitions were a great experience for me as it was the first time I got to play someone, from abroad, my own age. It gave me an opportunity to see what kind of standard kids from across Europe were at, and compare it against my own game.
Being picked to represent Carrickmines was a huge honour. It felt more as if I was playing for Ireland against Spain, Czech Republic and England. The tournament itself has a Davis Cup format which made it feel very professional, especially as a young junior. Travelling abroad was a huge part of the professionalism attached to all the CTC tournaments.
Going over this year to Barcelona as a coach was a different but a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Half of the time I was desperate to play myself, but being able to watch the high level of tennis in the heat was a fair trade.
The group that I travelled with, the kids, and Denise, were a Photos: Above: Charlie and the Carrickmines team in pleasure to be with. Coupled with the hospitality and friendly Barcelona pictured with Berta and Juan Maria Tintore in 2014. nature of Real Club de Tenis, it made for an excellent trip and Below: The Carrickmines U12 team with Team captain Libby Lyons and Charlie on left in Dublin in 2008. one that I certainly hope to be a part of next time. 2014 Special Events
DELHI GYMKHANA INTERNATIONAL with teams from the South Club, Delhi SOUTH AFRICA CHALLENGE The second edition of the Annual Delhi Gymkhana ` A’ and `B’, and the IC `A’ 2014 CTC South Africa Challenge took Gymkhana Club CTC Invitational teams reaching the semi-finals. South place again this year at the Wanderers Tournament was held on March 1 – 2, Club lost in the semi finals to IC `A’ team. Club of Johanesburg. Although reduced to 2014. Amongst the out-station clubs invit- a club match as opposed to a round robin ed to participate were South Club Kolkatta, The final was played between the IC `A’ of 4 clubs, the CTC 2014 resulted in a Oudh Gymkhana Club Lucknow, CCI and the Delhi Gymkhana `A’ teams. In a wonderful afternoon's tennis for the two 8- Mumbai, and Chandigarh Club. closely contested finals the Delhi player teams. It was a close affair, as the Gymkhana `A’ team emerged winners scorecard attests. Each match was impor- Being a large tennis fraternity, the host beating the IC `A’ team 3 – 0. The DGC tant, as all of the games were very close, fielded three teams and the International winning team comprised of Mr.Pragun giving the final victory to The Bedfordview Lawn Tennis Club of India entered two Poddar, Mr.Aditya Khanna, Mr.Arvinder Club. teams, whilst the outstation clubs fielded Chhatwal , Mr. Raveen Chaudhry, and one team each. The format of the tourna- Mrs.Sangeeta Badhwar. UK & IRELAND DAY ment was one men’s doubles team under Carrickmines, for the first time, hosted the 55 years, one over 55 and one mixed dou- The tournament was enjoyed by all the annual CTC United Kingdom & Ireland bles with no age bar. participants, and the social events on the CTC Tournament played from the 5th to side-lines added to the gaiety of the occa- 7th of September in glorious sunshine. Normally early March in Delhi is the ideal sion. In the absence of the President of Congratulations to Winchester who won by time for grass court tennis, however due to Club, the Chairman of the outdoor sports the tightest of margins, over Carrickmines, unprecedented heavy rains 2 days prior to committee Col.J.P.Singh gave away the (119-118 points). Cumberland, Edgbaston the event made the grass courts prizes. The Secretary and the tennis staff Priory and Roehampton were the other unplayable and forced the organisers to of the Club deserve appreciation for the competing teams. shift the play to the Plexi Cushion courts. arrangements and hospitality extended to Despite the constraints, the tournament the participants. All of the teams enjoyed a fantastic was completed on time. evening of entertainment and supper on The tournament Director for this year was the Saturday evening and we were espe- The tournament was a grand success, with Mr.C.M.Sharma, and the Organising cially privileged to be joined by Juan Maria over 50 men and 10 ladies taking part. The Committee was chaired by Mr.Yogesh Tintoré, the President of the CTC and his matches were held on a semi-league basis Prasad. daughter, Berta, for the weekend.
Photos: (Left) Players at Delhi Gymkhana, (right) The South Africa Challenge Photo: All dressed in white for the UK/Ireland Day at Carrickmines There were sections catering for all stan- to complete the competition draw. (Argentina’s #1 player for many years dur- dards of play and the club was abuzz with ing the late 1960s and 1970s and former activity with all 18 courts in use with the The competition was held under a spirit of Fed Cup captain), Ricardo Canon Grass courts playing superbly. Well done to fair play from all the participants both on (Argentinean #2, former Davis Cup player Gillian and her team for making the week- and off the court. The event was preceded and twice ATP Tour singles finalist) and end such a memorable occasion! by a welcome cocktail, which gathered the Carlos Junquet (a member of the team that Presidents of the Centenary Tennis Clubs reached the Davis Cup final in 1981 when SOUTH AMERICA CHALLENGE of Argentina together with members of the Argentina lost to USA). The first CTC South American Challenge International Club, Olympic Committee and took place during the weekend of October the Argentinian Tennis Federation. During the competition, Argentinian tennis 11-13 at the Tennis Club Argentino in legend Enrique Morea received a replica of Palermo. The competition was played under a round the Conde de Godo tournament trophy robin format, combining men and women from the hands of the Honorary President The tournament was a four-team event on all teams. The eventual winner was the of RCTB 1899, Juan Mª Tintore. The gift bringing together other Centenary Tennis Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. was a symbolic reminder of the historic Clubs from the area; Buenos Aires Lawn match of the first edition of the tournament Tennis Club and Santa Fe Lawn Tennis Amongst the participants were many well- in 1953, which saw Enrique losing against Club. A fourth club, Los Olivos, was invited known faces, including Beatriz Araujo, Vic Seixas 22-20 in the third set. The Big Bang of Tennis in Argentina
By Eduardo Puppo, Tennis analyst for courts painted onto the ground. Tennis Interclub Championship on 1915, a com- Spanish CNN and author of the tetralogy was also played in the areas of Rosario, petition that it is still played today. of the History of Tennis in Argentina, mem- Cordoba and Buenos Aires. ber of the IC of Argentina. The relevance of relating the history of the Shortly afterwards (in 1889), the Quilmes game is that the venue where the first When I was doing my research into the Lawn Tennis Club was founded, the first Centenary Tennis Clubs Championships history of tennis in Argentina, one of my club in the country and the third one in the was played, the Tennis Club Argentino, goals was to find a list of Clubs that count- region following the English Club in Viña was also the venue for the first internation- ed a tradition of more than one hundred del Mar, Chile (1884) and the Lawn Tennis al Tournament of Buenos Aires, in March years in Argentina and if possible in the de la Exposición, in Peru (1884). 1886, which featured a singles draw of 56 world. and a doubles draw of 15 pairs; all men At the same time the Lomas Athletic Club because the women did not yet have a Together with my colleague and co-author was founded (1882), a multisport facility competitive level. in the book, Mr. Roberto Andersen we which combined soccer, cricket, rugby and knew that it would be a highlight of the bowls. Even though tennis was just one Today, just 100 meters from the Tennis book, just because tennis was started in more sport there, among its founders we Club Argentino and in front of the the Clubs. We soon found the Centenary find Mr. James Gibson, the father of John, Planetarium we can find a sculpture that Tennis Clubs Association and realized that who was the Argentinian Davis Cup cap- celebrates this history. This was the area the CTC had already done the hardest tain for the nation’s first Davis Cup tie of Palermo where the Buenos Aires work of bringing together the most tradi- against Switzerland on 1923. Cricket Club was founded in 1864 and tional institutions, the most relevant and where the tennis players both of the coun- traditional Clubs worldwide. As a curiosity we can also mention that the try and of the city got a start. Association took off the ‘Lawn’ and the Soon we realized that in Argentina the double ‘n’ and in 1953 was named We can clearly read on the plate that this rules for tennis began in 1877, three years Argentina Tennis Association. was the place where the first sanctioned after the British Mayor, Mr. Walter tournaments not only of tennis, but also of Wingfield, registered the rules in London. Soon most Clubs began their tennis activi- cricket and soccer took place. This is the Up to then, tennis was played in private ties, developing strongly both in terms of way history goes. houses in the area of Buenos Aires on quantity and quality and resulting in the
Photo: The Presidents of the Centenary Tennis Clubs in Argentina and other dignitaries. Tennis & the Olympic Games Exhibition
The International Tennis Hall of Fame & "Tennis is one of the world's most interna- Gimeno came out to support the exhibit Museum, in partnership with the Barcelona tional sports year-round, but when com- opening, as did many players. Among Olympic Foundation, hosted a special exhi- bined with the spirit of the Olympics, the those in attendance were Jordi Arrese, who bition entitled Tennis and the Olympic game's international nature truly shines. was a silver medalist at Barcelona 1992, Games, which was on display to the public The sport has had a rich history within the José Higueras, Lis Arilla, Jordi Bardou, and at the Olympic and Sports Museum Joan Olympic movement, and we are delighted Alex Corretja and Albert Costa, doubles Antoni Samaranch in Barcelona, Spain last for this unique opportunity to showcase bronze medalists from Sydney 2000. year. Tennis and the Olympic Games tennis' role in the Games for the fans who offered a comprehensive look at the most visit the Olympic and Sports Museum," said The exhibit featured Olympians from many successful tennis Olympians in history, and Hall of Fame President Stan Smith. "The nations, including a full listing of every highlighted the appeal of tennis as one of Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve and Olympic and Paralympic tennis medallist in the world's most international sports. It also celebrate the rich history of tennis, and we history. There was a special emphasis on detailed the interesting role that tennis has are grateful to the Olympic and Sports Spain's celebrated players, such as Hall of played in the Games, having gone from a Museum of Barcelona, and our partners at Famer Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Rafael full medal sport to having no presence for the Barcelona Olympic Foundation, the Nadal, Conchita Martinez, and Sergi many years, and back to a full medal, Spanish Tennis Federation, and the Real Bruguera. extremely popular sport in the last several Club de Tenis Barcelona - 1899 for helping decades. us to share this important part of tennis his- Highlighting Spain's great accomplish- tory with an international audience." ments in the Games, the exhibit included The organizers gathered with media and memorabilia from Rafael Nadal's success Spanish tennis industry leaders for an Smith was a speaker at the opening cere- at Beijing 2008, when he won the gold opening ceremony in Barcelona. The mony and was joined by José Luis medal, as well as memorabilia of Arantxa exhibit was made possible through a Escañuela, president of the Real Sanchez-Vicario's from Atlanta 1996, when unique tennis partnership among the Federación Española de Tenis, M. Teresa she won a silver medal in singles and a International Tennis Hall of Fame & Fandos, president of the Fundació bronze in doubles. Spanish players Alex Museum, the Barcelona Olympic Barcelona Olímpica, and Albert Agustí, Corretja and Albert Costa contributed their Foundation, the Spanish Tennis president of the Real Club de Tenis racquets from the 2000 Olympic Games in Federation, and the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899. Sydney when they won the bronze medal. Barcelona - 1899. In addition, Sergio Casal's silver medal Hall of Famers Manuel Orantes and Andres from the 1988 Games in Seoul is on dis-
Photo: Organisers at the exhibition launch, Albert Costa and Alex Corretja with their Olympic memorabilia. Tennis & the Olympic Games Exhibition
play. A particularly interesting item in the showcased the Paralympic Games, high- and places special emphasis on the exhibit is Spaniard Eduardo Flaquer's lighting how eight competitors from five Olympic spirit. scrapbook and racquet from the 1924 nations showed off their skills at the 1988 Olympic Games, which was the last year Seoul Olympics in a convincing demon- Located in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, that tennis was a medal sport until 1988. stration that propelled wheelchair tennis to the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Among the highlighted artifacts in the a full medal sport at Barcelona in 1992. Museum is a non-profit organization dedi- exhibit was a racquet of Andy Murray's cated to preserving the history of tennis, from the 2012 London Games, when he Imagery throughout the exhibition show- honoring its greatest champions and lead- clinched the gold medal before an adoring cased great moments from the Games, ers, and inspiring the future of the sport. home crowd at the All England Club. A rac- including the unstoppable Williams sisters, The Hall of Fame operates an extensive quet belonging to London doubles gold who have captured three gold medals in museum that highlights the history of ten- medalist Bob Bryan was also on display. doubles and one each in singles; the nis from its 12th century origins through extraordinary wheelchair tennis champion present-day, as well as the fascinating life In the exhibit, fans were able to read about Esther Vergeer, who has won five stories of the game's greatest athletes and historic victories, such as Steffi Graf's 1988 Paralympic gold medals (3 in singles, 2 in industry contributors. The museum's col- Gold Medal, which made her the first per- doubles); and the overjoyed Andy Murray, lection features vintage tennis equipment, son, and the only person to date, to from the moment he captured gold before video highlights and iconic photos, tennis achieve the Golden Slam (all four majors his home crowd at the Olympics in London apparel ranging from Victorian dresses to and the Olympic gold medal in one year). in 2012. modern fashions, tennis inspired paintings Guests took away some interesting tennis and fine arts, and memorabilia from facts; for example, who would have The Olympic and Sports Museum Juan remarkable moments as recent as the cur- guessed that the 1900 champion would Antonio Samaranch is managed by the rent-year Grand Slams. Changing exhibits have won a coffee and liqueur serving Barcelona Olympic Foundation. Through and special exhibitions, similar to Tennis table as his Olympic prize, or that some changing exhibitions and interactive dis- and the Olympic Games are displayed years there were both indoor and outdoor plays, the museum showcases how the year-round in the museum. tennis events contested? The exhibit also qualities of sports transcend all cultures About EFG International and Tennis
At EFG, Gianluigi Quinzi of Italy, the 2013 Boy’s our clients, and of our people. EFG is we are Wimbledon Singles Champion; Kyle proud to support excellence and talent keen Edmund of the UK, winner of the boys' jun- across a range of sporting and cultural support- ior doubles title at the 2013 French Open areas – in addition to tennis, these include ers of tennis and are delighted to lend our and Michael Mmoh of the United States. historic motorsport, polo, sailing, classical support to Centenary Tennis Clubs as its music, jazz, literature and art. Principal Partner. We also enjoy support- EFG is a global private banking group with ing the development of young talent, and a record of dynamic growth, courtesy of Find out about our sponsorships: have teamed up with IMG, the global offering clients a service they expect and www.facebook.com/EFGInternational sports and media company, to create The deserve. Headquartered in Zurich, our EFG Junior Tennis Programme. business operates in over 30 locations Find out more about EFG: worldwide, with circa 2,000 employees. www.efginternational.com This is an innovative way of supporting leading junior players making the transition Through our marketing and sponsoring to the senior ranks. Current members are activities, we look to reflect the diversity of