Chase the First has a decidedly international tone this month as Tuxedo hosts the top professionals and amateurs in the World Doubles Championship and a week later, Newport will host the U.S. Pro Singles playing for the Schochet Cup.  Both events will feature tennis at its highest level. If you can't be there in person - be sure to catch the live stream video via the USCTA YouTube Channel.

  

Not to be outdone by the pros, twenty-one amateurs have just arrived home from England where they participated in the World Masters team and individual competitions. The U.S. put up a valiant effort, but along with the Australians were turned away by the teams from Great Britain. The Americans fared better in the individual events as Bill Barker was the finalist in the Over 50 singles and the finalist - partnering with Steve Hufford - in the Over 50 doubles. Perennial competitor - Dick Tanfield - was the finalist in the over 65 singles.

 

Meanwhile, back at home, Barker's fourteen-year-old son Erik was tearing up the court in Tuxedo winning both the inaugural U23 Doubles title with Adrian Camacho and the U26 Doubles title with John Beam. Paul Monaghan won the U23 and U26 Singles titles over Barker.

 

The BOS/WASH team won the 2014/15 National League final over CHI/PHL in a hotly contested night of tennis at Prince's Court. The teams split the singles matches, but Camden Riviere and Neil Mackenzie edged out Steve Virgona and John Lumley in the doubles for the title. Congratulations to Riviere, Mackenzie and Tony Hollins on a winning season.

 

Charleston has made great progress in the last month with the signing of the official "Court Tennis Agreement" between the USCTPF, Daniel Island and Charleston Court Tennis. This is a significant milestone and puts the court one step closer to reality. It's not too late to jump on board.

 

Looking ahead  - the second annual International Tennis Day will be held on Saturday, June 20. What is your club planning to do to mark this important day? Join clubs around the world in celebrating the anniversary of the "Tennis Court Oath" while raising the profile and catalyzing interest in our game around the world.

New York hosted the inaugural Spring Invitational and Pro/Am in May. John Lumley defeated Barney Tanfield in the final, while Chris Oberbeck and Tony Hollins teamed up to win the Pro/Am.

Dawson Lane reveals the answers to last month's quiz. How many did you get right?

Closing on an international note - best of luck to the U.S. Clothier/Van Alen Cup team. The team comprised of Paul Monaghan (Capt.), Dylan Ward, Laurenson Ward and Adrian Camacho, accompanied by Alec Monaghan as chaperone, will be traveling to Melbourne at the end of the month for team matches between the U.S, Australia and Great Britain. Best of luck and have a great time!  Until next month...

 

Sincerely,

Jane Lippincott - Editor 

U.S. Court Tennis Association

 

Late Breaking Stories ...Junior Pro Am results and Death by Real Tennis...What? Read on...

    

THE INAUGURAL WORLD DOUBLES JUNIOR PRO/AM COURT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 

by Kevin Shea 

 

 

Since its founding in 1886, a number of important inventions and "firsts" are alleged to have come from within the storied gates of Tuxedo Park and The Tuxedo Club, the home of the 2015 World Doubles Court Tennis Championship. To name just a few, these include; the invention of SONAR, the first game of Bridge played in the United States, and Pierre Lorillard's introduction of the tailless black dinner jacket, which quickly became known as the Tuxedo.

 

This year, The Tuxedo Club has added another page its rich history, in a world where there are few "firsts" remaining.  

 

This past weekend, The Tennis House at The Tuxedo Club hosted The Inaugural World Doubles Junior Pro/AM Court Tennis Championship - Sponsored by ZipLocal and United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation.

 

While the title of the event is a mouthful, spectators by the score that filled the dedans on the first weekend of World Doubles Championship Week at The Tuxedo Club were treated to more than an eyeful of great Junior ProAM Doubles Court Tennis action.

 

The first round format was a "double round robin" - pairing juniors together with a rotation of Court Tennis professionals - in a ten game, handicapped event. This was followed by a no-handicap, single-match elimination semi-final and final for the top four juniors and the top four Professionals.

 

It was rumored among the Court Tennis professionals that this event was "hit and giggle". It may have started that way but after more than 12 hours of action over two gorgeous days at The Tennis House in Tuxedo Park, four juniors and four Professionals emerged to the final draw. They were, from the juniors, Messrs. N. Motz, C Motz and Barker of Princes Court, Mr. Hill of Boston T&R. Professionals advancing included Clare Fahey, John Lumley, Ben Matthews and Chris Chapman.

 

The final three matches of this historic event inspired the professionals to "up their games" as the sets featured several heated volley battles, balls stolen from the last gallery, plenty of winners in the hazard end galleries and dedans, and shots to the tambour that never emerged from Tuxedo's dreaded and deep hazard end corner.

 

Ultimately, the Championship was competed for between familiar foes, Messrs. Barker and N. Motz who were ably supported by Claire Fahey and Ben Matthews with the pairing of Fahey and Barker taking the champion's trophy.

 

While tournaments always end with the awards ceremony, on Sunday the discussion in the Greevy room after the matches had a different theme - remarks centered on the field of 13 juniors their sportsmanship and great promise for each these "future stars" of Court Tennis in the United States.

 

Special thanks from the event sponsors, ZipLocal and the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation, to the Court Tennis Professionals who give so much to advance and develop the sport - Ms. Claire Fahey and Messrs. Chris Chapman, Tim Chisholm, John Lumley, Ben Matthews, Cam Riviere, Matt Ronaldson and Rob Whitehouse.

 

A good time was had by all.

 

Click here full report and results

Dr. Cohen travels to England to perform a real tennis "autopsy" on John Stanley,  who died from a real tennis related injury.  Click here to read his report.