The National Tennis Club at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport was selected to be the venue for the bi-annual World Over Singles and Doubles Championships in the 70 and 75-year-old age groups. The events were held from May 11ththrough the 14ththis year.
Competitors came from around Great Britain, Australia, and the United States. The level of play exhibited by the seniors was remarkably high and most of the matches were seriously contested from start to finish.
On the social side, there was an informal Dutch Treat Dinner on Friday evening at the Surf Club attended by all but a couple of the late-arriving competitors and a very nice Cocktail Reception Saturday evening at the home of Bettie and Jonathan Pardee.
Breakfast and luncheon were served each day of the competition in the Club Room at the NTC, where players and their guests were able to watch matches in progress and cheer on their favorites.
A couple of passes in the player’s gift bags entitled players to tour the museum at the ITHF for free and allowed them to tour two of the Newport “Summer Cottages” run by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Sadly the weather was unseasonably cool and dismal for most of the event, so no one was able to view the “City by the Sea” from the deck of a yacht. This would have been a great treat for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to sail the waters of Narragansett Bay.
As is the norm with these age group competitions, camaraderie is often more in evidence than the serious competitive zeal of many other events. Friendships are formed and develop over the years and continue to make the game of Court Tennis unique among the sports that we enjoy.
Respectfully submitted by T. Rowe Venue Lead
Draws, tournament photos, and party photos follow below!
Opening Cocktail Party Photos, click here
