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!
