WIMBLEDON

The Annual Club Tournament attracted over 400 players this year, most of the entrants were from Clubs in the Alpes-Maritimes, but there were some from the Var, and even from as far as Montpellier. Then from a nearby Tennis Academy there was a girl from Turkestan playing very well in the  Simple Dames, and an Australian girl who won the final of this category. The men's Veteran matches had our Finnish member, Markku playing in 3 age groups - not winning them all this year, but being very difficult to beat as usual. What visitors & members found most extraordinary perhaps was the very high standard of play in the junior age groups: these range from 9-10 up to 15-16, & each group was well represented. We were lucky with the weather until the last weekend; this meant that many of you were able to witness many high-level matches, but not what was probably the most spectacular - the final of the Simple Messieurs. This was won by a player from St. Raphael (classified: -15) over a valiant younger player from Hyères (classified: -2/6). The lucky few who saw this match were astounded by the brilliance of the play.

Such an official tournament gives a great deal of work to the administration, but particularly to the juge-arbitre; take a look at part of the main draw to see something of the complexity. (photo)

And here's a photo of two of our better young players, in a special training for better footwork, & quicker reaction time. More of the advanced training group in a later blog.

As we all know, our game of tennis has greatly evolved in popularity over the years; so let's see how it was at the very beginning.  Hence my title; for it was in the year, 1877 on the site of the Wimbledon Croquet Club, that the first tennis tournament was organised.

There were several planks of wood which could have served to accommodate almost 30 spectators. (This was convenient, as there were only 22 competitors.......). And these courageous competitors were all men I'm afraid, as the first rules did not allow ladies to participate (sorry, ladies). Ladies were allowed to watch however, & here it was the gentlemen who were constrained - not to appear in 'shirtsleeves', if you please - when ladies were present!

All very correct as you see...... remember that we are here among an enterprising race of Englishmen: it was thus at an early stage realised by an intelligent doctor present, that the transition from the gentle game of croquet to the much more energetic tennis, would oblige players to wash after matches.

And so he had bathrooms constructed at his own expense --- & subsequently charged a fee for their use. (How lucky we are at the Vignal!)

The matches continued until the semi-finals, when it was discovered that an exceptionally important cricket match had to be played at the weekend - between Eton & Harrow, of course.  Our first Wimbledon Tennis Tournament was suspended.

After this enforced interlude, 12 competitors remained - a certain Mr Buller failed to turn up, which gave 11.  Play-offs somehow gave 6, & then 3 remaining players. A very curious number for a Final, you will note!

We have to excuse a certain irrationality here, since rules of the game were still in a formative period; one of the three was quickly disposed of by deciding he had a bye into the final, then the ultimate final could be played.

Our very first Wimbledon champion, became W. Spencer Gore, well-known at the time for the facility with which he played the games of racquets, & real tennis. (see an earlier blog:' French tennis balls').  He disposed of his last opponent in no time at all, especially when compared with the 5-set marathons of our day. And all of this took place on grass - & the name of the sport we so enthusiastically practice now became, & still is actually: lawn tennis.

Get out there and win! Or, above all, enjoy the game!

SUNDAY LUNCH

The tournament last Thursday was thoroughly enjoyed; as is becoming habitual: the next one will take place in about 5 weeks, so keep practising your doubles technique.  This time, winners had cups, & proudly held them up for photographs, rather like champions at Roland Garros.  The following buffet & drinks, kindly provided by the restaurant family, was really excellent (photo), & further stimulated conversation & the pleasure given by the match play. A cake & lighted candles was presented to Manu, to test the power of his 'puff' on his 40th birthday. (It proved far less powerful than his terrifying forehand!)

The following Sunday lunch attracted about 40 members & friends, a sudden surprise for the kitchen & servers; so next Sunday, you are asked to reserve in advance (tel: 04 93 66 55 73). The attractive menu is already prepared & notices are posted, you can examine it here too (photo). 

Monday morning, the ladies' group celebrated a birthday of one of their members by doubles' matches & an enjoyable lunch. You will easily guess who was the joyful player en fête. (photo)

It is not too late to type in suggestions for future meals in the document I posted last time; they are collected anonymously in a spreadsheet on-line, before consideration by the restaurant staff.

                          And remember to order your Sunday lunch with Anthony. (photo)

What lovely sunny weather we're having!

NEXT EVENTS

Rain stopped play this afternoon, but we must be thankful for the good, long period of sun we've been enjoying. The forecast is for sun again tomorrow, so let's hope Sunday turns out like that. The next Club event is another tournament organised in the same way as the earlier ones I've described: Thursday 1030 am start; get your name in early to Manu or David to be sure to have a place.

This event will be followed by prize-giving in the restaurant, where all-comers will be offered a 'pot de bienvenu' - a welcoming drink, by Isabelle & Anthony, our new restaurateurs. Their culinary efforts continue to be appreciated, by the way, so you may be tempted to stay on for lunch.

There is a form below to give you the opportunity to suggest some dish you would like to see in the menu of your Club Restaurant. Just type your suggestions in the form, & then click on the 'submit/envoyer' button.

An important regional event starts on the 26th of February; the Annual Club Tournament. Details are now on the noticeboards, & registrations can already be taken in the Office. Non-competitors will have the opportunity of watching high-level play as the event proceeds.

Keep enjoying your tennis, & the good company!

KILIMANJARO EXPLOIT

A few months ago I posted an account of meeting Jonathan Hooker one day & finding with amazement, that he'd not been around the courts very much as he was engaged with mountaineering training!

I now have the confirmation that not only did he get to the top of Kilimanjaro (5 149 m), but he managed to get down again to the village of Amani. Apart from the joy of the achievement for Jonathan, he had the satisfaction that the village was helped to the tune of 12 000 € by the contributions of the well-wishers who sponsored him.

Well done everyone! and here are 3 photos from the top.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Last year's excessive rain worked out at the maximum number of days lost to tennis since I started to record in 1998: precise figures for weather in Cannes are now available at http://cannesmeteo.com/which gives 743 mm of rain for 2010. This year started badly with already 22 mm, which didn't help the clay courts, our matches, nor the restaurant. The good news is that the courts are being repaired & should be ready for the weekend; and that our new restaurateurs, Isabelle & family, are well in control of the situation indoors.

This would seem the time, members & friends, to get back on court, warm up those neglected muscles, volley & smash your way to your first victory of the year; & then to repair to the bar & restaurant to celebrate with a good lunch! Good reports on the food are already coming in thick & fast: the menu will change from day to day, with entrée & plat principal at 15€, with an extra 4€ if you want a dessert. You can choose main course only for 12€. The quality is described as excellent, so what are you waiting for?

YOUNG SCANDINAVIANS

Many of us have Vikings among our ancestors, evidenced by the numerous genetic afflictions, such as 'la maladie du Puytren', in which tendon sheaths of the hands are affected in such a way, that fingers bend over more & more, until an operation is needed to allow you to hold your racquet in an approved fashion. Sufferers of such a disease, include Mrs. Thatcher, Anton Dikken, & myself. My unsubstantiated hypothesis on the origin of this affliction, is that this was the consequence of the rowing efforts over enormous distances, that a multitude of our forbears had to endure......

In recent times, that is since the inauguration of our tennis club around 1976, more & more inhabitants of icy regions of Scandinavia, have chosen this region to amplify, & test their proficiencies in our preferred sport. This has occurred for various reasons: their play back home, is limited to indoors during the many snow-ridden months of the year they have to put up with. The other & consequent reason, is that a much more favoured region, such as ours, engenders higher standards through long hours of training sessions, & of consistently greater possibilities of competition.

So, not only we enjoy summer visits of Scandinavian players with a family relative in residence in the region, but at other times of the year, as just recently, we have young champions needing to test their skills against the more experienced players of the Côte d'Azur. The delightful Norwegian family we met these last weeks includes 2 sisters, Malene (age 11), & Maren (age 13) who have been taking lessons in preparation for later visits to play in local tournaments. Several of you will have been watching with admiration the level of play of these two young girls: I include for the moment, photos showing them taking part in exercises, which are another important part of tennis training. The biggest surprise though, was to see today, the youngest girl, Maria(age 5), of the family, in energetic forehand returns, well into the teacher's court.

We are happy to welcome such able, smiling girls into our international community, & we wish them every joy & success.

After these terribly long periods of rain we've suffered, we are all rather rusty: remember to do some exercises before you go on court, & stretchings exercises afterwards. And enjoy your games once more, without getting injured!

ANOTHER SUCCESS!

The doubles tournament I publicised recently by email to 203 of you, took place as planned last Thursday morning. By the smiles on the faces of the participants after the event,(photo) and on the obviously happy atmosphere during the play, the efforts of the organisers were well rewarded. The randomisation of partners & opponents was obtained in an informal, but effective way, by a mixing up of racquets. (photo) Complaints such as, "I had to play against that horrid man with a beard 3 times", were not heard, & several players were seen to be well pleased, to be on the same court as a former 'Champion de la Côte d'Azur'. (photo) The entire play took only the allocated one & a half hours, with each timed encounter involving about 4 games - deuce scores being followed by 'no-add' ('sudden death') to abbreviate game-lengths. There was an enormous good humour generated by all this, & the concluding ceremony in the restaurant, awarded the prizes to the well-merited winners: gentlemen - George Buter, & Charles Bond; ladies - Bridget Milburn, & Laura Debruce. Well done!

I hear that similar events will be planned about every 6 weeks: a convenient number of places in each of these tournaments seems to be 24, taking up 6 courts, with each player occupied for the full one & a half hours. To work well, such a system necessitates definite registrations well before, with no last-minute drop-outs, please!

Best wishes for future good matches, all of you, & perhaps a better score next time! But it's the fun that counts, isn't it? A bientôt!