When we were in Newport, RI five years ago, we found ourselves at a sandwich shop. I happened to walk around the corner, and there was the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. I swore that next time we were in town we’d go, and in April, the Wife and I did.
From Wikipedia: “While the modern game of tennis originated in late 19th century England, most historians believe that the game’s ancient origin is from 12th century France, but the ball was then struck with the palm of the hand. It was not until the 16th century that rackets came into use, and the game began to be called “tennis”, from the Old French term Tenez, which can be translated as ‘hold!’, ‘receive!’ or ‘take!'” One can play “real” tennis at the Hall, though we did not.
There were plenty of artifacts: old racquets of players, videos, newspaper articles (e.g., about the scandalous apparel of women players in the 1920s that showed the knee!), info about the infamous “battle of the sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs (Hall of Famers both), histories of the Grand Slam and other significant tournaments, and lots of trophies.
But the key is the display of all the players and contributors. Each of them is represented on a kiosk that allows you to see a video of the players, a quote, and their major accomplishments; you can see the info here. Interesting that I recognize some old timers’ names such as Bill Tilden and Helen Wills Moody. Then there were the Aussies I remember growing up, such as Rod Laver, Toy Emerson, Tony Roche, and Fred Stolle, onto the players from the Open Era, which began in 1968, “when the Grand Slam tournaments agreed to allow professional players to compete with amateurs…This has allowed tennis players the opportunity to make a good living playing tennis.”
There was a video of the Hall speech by Andre Agassi, a 2011 inductee. A great player early on, he seemed to waste his talent and sank to a ranking of #141, but found his focus again and became a #1 player. This year’s inductees include Jennifer Capriati and Guga Kuerten, who will join the ranks on July 14, 2012.
At least a couple of players who are in the Hall I got to see play personally: Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, doubles specialists, who played singles and doubles, I believe, at the OTB Open tournament in Schenectady, NY in the early 1990s.
One person in the Hall who I was totally unfamiliar with was Dr. Robert Johnson, indicted in 2009 as a contributor. “Without the guidance of Dr. Johnson, however, [Althea] Gibson, [Arthur] Ashe, and countless others might not have succeeded so mightily. Dr. Johnson trained, coached, and mentored African Americans from his home in Lynchburg, Virginia for more than two decades.” Dr. Johnson died in 1971.
I’ve been to several Halls of Fame: baseball (Cooperstown, NY), basketball (Springfield, MA), the surprisingly interesting horse racing (Saratoga Springs, NY), the disappointing and now-defunct soccer (Oneonta, NY). The International Tennis HoF is a good one.
Tennis is a very popular sport here in my country too! Unfortunately I don’t play at all.
Thanks for your kind comment. It is encouraging, especially now my laptop is out of order and I have to work on my iPad, which has a lot of possibilities, but I don’t know how to put photos on my blogentries. Fortunately I have all my ABC entries scheduled till October.
I need to find someone to play tennis with. I haven’t played for years now. And thanks for the reminder. I have to add the Tennis HoF to my list of places I need to visit.
Sorry to hear that the soccer hall of fame was such a let down. If you ever get to the UK, try the National Football Museum in Manchester!
I probably never would have thought to visit a sports hall of fame…but hey! You make it sound interesting. 🙂
I used to love playing tennis – especially with my Mom. I could never quite just get the serve though…
This was interesting and new place for me. I’d never heard of it. Carver ABC-Wed. Team
i have friends who are tennis players, and i wanted to learn the game but i’m just too slow. i ended up playing badminton.:p
i like the green building.
Beautiful!
My Ruby Tuesday post, come and visit when you can.
Pardon for the previous comment I posted (daughter was trying to bloghop a while ago lol).
I love the combination of colors on that establishment!
I used to love playing tennis with my late husband – I could even beat him 1 set our of 3!!! And those were the days of wooden rackets!
Leslie
abcw team
My husband was a tennis player before his bypasses and other heart related issues. He love it with a passion. I did however see him throw his racket a couple of times…Not the best example for a Preacher Man. But it was certainly passionate! HaHa.
Roger, looks like a very interesting museum. My granddaughters 11 and 8 are starting tennis lessons this summer. Thanks for the tour.
Ann
Your THOUGHTS about the tennis museum TRANSPORTED me to a TIME when i attempted to learn the sport, but had to concede defeat due to my poor eye-hand coordination. I have a close friend, however, who would really, really love to see that museum.
loved the photograph!
interesting post!
I recognize some of those names as well, Roger, but my greatest memory is of watching my father playing tennis. He tended goal too (hockey) but tennis was his favourite sport before being plagued with osteo as the result of a wound at Cambrai at the end of World War 1.
This place looks really interesting.
I love tennis…. and I especially love watching Wimbledon
In Jan we have the Auckland cup ND ATTRACT QUITE GOOD PLAYERS. (SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS, borrowing my husband’s new laptop and getting used to it.)
I’m not much of a tennis fan, but it surprised me that I recognized several of the names you mentioned. I must pay more attention than I thought.
I love the building it’s in!
How interesting I didn’t know that the word “Tennis” comes from tenez, which comes from the verb “tenir” (to hold) Tenez is actually like an order “hold !”
HA! Tennis class was the only C I received in college!
A Tennis Hall of Fame? Who woulda thunk?
Sounds an interesting place, I especially like the idea of of kiosks which brings the past to life. I’ve always wanted a go at Real Tennis, it looks so wacky, and enjoyable.
Roger, you were fortunate to play some good tennis players! I love tennis… on the TV. Couldn’t play it, though I tried. Your references to early female pros reminded me of the delightful Tracy/Hepburn movie, “Pat and Mike,” where Kate is a multi-talented athlete and Spence is her Damon Runyonesque manager; “There ain’t much meat on her, but what there is is CHERCE!” Also some great golfers, including Babe Dedrickson… Thanks, Rog! Peace and no ‘faults,’ Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/05/31/the-troubadour-abc-weds-thurs-think-tank/
The first time I tried tennis, the ball flew above the building next to the court so high, and it ended up thumping on a BMW on the adjacent lot. ‘Was waiting for Andre Agassi to be mentioned; glad he was.
I love watching the game – wish I could’ve played it myself. Very interesting post.
I watched some videos of Real Tennis, it looks hard! Two guys playing in something billed as the Australian Championships could barely get the ball back and forth more than once. Two thoughts, isn’t the game a little hard on the spectators sitting in the “galleries?” And exactly how old is this version of tennis, and back in the day who built these elaborate indoor courts? (Neither the Tennis Hall of Fame or Wikipedia dates the game or explains or why it appeared, except to say it’s old.)