VIGNAL TOURNAMENT

This part of the world, famed for its equable climate, treated us to an even worse first two months of the year than that of our last January & February.  We would like to forget those many days of incessant rain; I even counted up to 11 days loss of outdoor tennis for each of these months.  Once more a hearty thanks to our proprietors, for their foresight & efficiency, in providing us with the means of playing under cover from that often atrocious weather.  Not only this precious facility, but the new experience of many members, of playing on a better-preserved surface: protected from the elements, finding they were playing with a new concentration! So far, so good;  but recently back in the open sunny air, old pleasures enjoyed once more.........

Our annual tournament from February to March also profited from the use of the two covered courts; its success was secured once more by the assiduous work of Didier Eysseric in organising the hundreds of matches with so many players from other Clubs, & to Olivier for receiving all those participants into the Club with his usual good humour. The fortnight of competition ended with finals on the last Saturday this year - to make room for important first team matches the following Sunday.  A busy time then with a successful reception for the Tournament Prize-Giving.  I'll celebrate this with a few photos describing the scene & events:

The cook had made good provision for the amuses-gueules accompanying the champagne & for his valuable work every lunchtime, here he is - our chef Manu, with Oliver, receiving applause from everyone:

and if you haven't yet tasted his tarte aux pommes glace vanille; here's what it looks like:

Another well-liked member of staff, without whom the terres battues would never have been in such good condition, is of course, Fred from Tunisia. He was rather unsafely 'chaired' by Olivier & Didier:

The banners around the courts advertise the generous sponsorship we were lucky to have for this tournament: here is one of the banners in front of the collection of cups for the winners:

  And here is an assembly of winners & runners-up, proudly showing their prizes:

Tournaments are not over for the year:  an internal tournament will take place over the next 3 months until a second Vignal tournament is programmed for June-July; with all the younger age categories this time. 

Start practising as soon as possible:  here is how you should be serving perhaps ............

carla

max

I'll finish this blog with a clear sign of spring with the vigorous sprouting from our well-pruned old willow tree.  Wishing you all a similar vigour in your tennis......