When Neale Fraser took over the Australian Davis Cup captaincy in 1970, it was a daunting task. He was taking over the reins at a historic moment in the event.
Under the captaincy of the legendary Harry Hopman, Fraser had … continue reading
Category: History
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Jimmie McDaniel…Before Althea and Arthur
August 28, 1950 was a historic date in tennis. Althea Gibson defeated Barbara Knapp 6-2, 6-2 becoming the first African American to participate in the US National Championships.
In her next encounter, she came up short against Louise Brough, who was … continue reading
Had it not been for Count Alberto Bonacossa, it would be safe to say that the inaugural Internazionali d’Italia (Italian International Championships) would not have taken place at the Tennis Club of Milan in early May 1930.
The Count was … continue reading
Vivian McGrath, whose name is pronounced “McGraw” and like Bromwich played with a then unusual two-hand backhand, served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the war, but regularly received permission to participate in the fund-raising exhibitions.
One’s understanding of history often depends on interpretations derived from a variety of sources. This statement could be used to summarize opinions about Oscar Gustaf Adolf, better known as King Gustaf V. He was the towering (6’4”), pince-nez wearing autocrat … continue reading
Before the world fully realized the level of inhumanity this flag would come to represent, it was displayed, in tournament results, next to the names of Henner Henkel and Gottfried von Cramm. (Between 1936 and 1938, they enjoyed success at … continue reading
Tennis has long been touted as the game for a lifetime. Over the years, it has proven to be that and more for many. It offers excitement and can be physically demanding, humbling and at the same time defining. The … continue reading
The Internazionali BNL d’Italia began in 1930 at the Tennis Club of Milan. It was contested there each spring until 1934 when Mussolini moved the championships to Foro Mussolini (now known as Foro Italico) in Rome. The “ambiente spettacolare” (spectacular … continue reading
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Tennis In The Time Of Covid-19
There will be tennis again, but along the way there should be memories of triumphs that rise above the challenges that these times engender. Existence can hinge on more than tennis, but the game will survive a pandemic with a … continue reading
In the beginning, the competition was played as a Challenge Cup. The set-up allowed the winner from the previous year to sit on the sideline while the other countries battled for a spot in the final.
The “wait and watch” … continue reading