In preparation for our 100th issue of Chase the First, I took some time to go back and read the past ninety-nine issues. I have prepared a quick synopsis of all that we have covered since our first issue on November 1, 2011. Wow – has our game grown and changed for the positive. Here is some of what’s happened, including “Tips from the Pros,” articles, artwork, the Top 25 lists, books, and the RTO forum – read to the bottom, and you will find out who was the most photographed player.
We have had three USCTA Presidents – Greg Van Schaack, Jeremy Wintersteen, and Jim Zug. The U.S. has hosted one Singles and one Doubles World Championship and one Ladies World Championship. Also, we have run the Bathurst Cup, World Masters, and Van Alen and Clothier Cups. Our national championships and tournaments continue to grow, with many running at capacity. Prize money for the Professionals – both men and women, have increased substantially. We have an active Player Development Program focusing on juniors, women, and top amateurs. Live video coverage of tournaments has become the norm – now the question is not “is there coverage,” but “where’s the link?”.
The restoration of the Chicago court began in May 2012 and opened with a celebration in October 2012. Boston started a roof renovation project in 2013, culminating in a “Raise the Roof” celebration in the fall of 2013. Philadelphia became “enlightened” in 2014 with new lights installed. Fundraising for a new court in Charleston, South Carolina began and is nearing completion. Georgian Court came back to life – working with the University and professionals, the court is now active. Management of the National Tennis Club became the purview of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
We have covered all of these events, plus hundreds of tournaments in both the U.S. and overseas. But there is also more – much more – monthly columns, articles, and items relating to our game and what makes it unique. Here’s a list.
“Tip from the Pros.”There have been ninety pro tips over the past ninety-nine issues written by your pros plus one “guest pro” – Temple Grassi. Ivan Ronaldson tops the list contributing twenty-seven tips with Tony Hollins a close second. Every pro in the U.S. has provided at least one tip. Barney Tanfield, though, takes the prize for the most comprehensive and in-depth pro tips. Who could forget “Twenty Twenty Hindsight ” or “For Whom the Bell Tolls”? In the coming months, we plan to post an archive of “Tips from the Pros” on the USCTA website. Stay tuned.
Articles. From time-to-time, individuals have submitted articles on a variety of topics. Here’s a sampling of those columns. Bruce Katz wrote several in-depth and scientific pieces, including “Time on court and time on racquet: Some thoughts on Camden’s recent achievement,” “Musings from the Winning Gallery,” and “Virtual Galleries.” Adam Inselbuch wrote about “Real Tennis in the Theatre.” Temple Grassi contributed a piece on “Thomas Jefferson, Jeu de Paume and Tennis Ball Lettuce.” George Bell wrote two poignant articles – “A Note from the World Masters: The Heart of the Matter” and “Greentree” – both of which were the most widely read. Robert Price wrote about “Lord Percival – The Pretender – The Real Story,” Anders Cohen used his medical background and interest in tennis to write several medical “advice” columns under the title “Give it a Shot.” Greg Van Schaack wrote a “Referees Corner.” We also had links to tennis articles in the Wall Street Journal, New Yorker and other publications
We covered the art world with the paintings – “Portrait of a Young Tennis Player” and “The Private Tennis Court of Comte d’Artois.” And, who could ever forget the twenty-four -episode series on “Caravaggio: The Death of Hyacinth” by Cees de Bondt?
His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex toured the United States in 2018. He visited nine cities and all U.S. Court Tennis Locations during his U.S. visit, as part of a yearlong program of engagements in support of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
The Top 25 Lists have always been popular. It is impressive how a core group of players has remained on the list for the past almost nine years. There have been changes – some players have moved away from the game, others have migrated to the Top Senior list, and new players, including juniors, have joined the list.
Books.Several players have written books about tennis or other subjects.
- Neptune Book of Tennis & Rackets by James Bruce
- The Corpse on the Court – A Fethering Mystery by Simon Brett
- A Manual for the Apprentice of the Game of Real Tennis by Édouard Kressmann (Trans. Alastair Robson)
- TENNIS PASSPORT Concept by Edward Hughes
- Three Seconds in Munich by David Sweet
- Hazard a Guess – A Real Tennis Chase by Edward J. Hughes
- A Second Cut by Chris Ronaldson with Claire & Rob Fahey
- Better Than the Last by Jonathan Howell
- More Than a Yard Worse by Jonathan Howell
- East Court by Charles Johnstone
- Dracul by Dacre Stoker
Who remembers the RTO forum? In its prime, the forum posed some interesting questions that provoked many comments. Some of the topics included:
- Does the shape of the racquet affect the outcome?
- Protective eyewear
- Should doubles cost more than singles?
- 3 Brothers walk into a court tennis court and….
- Real tennis dreams
- Death of the Pass Rule – Greatly Exaggerated?
And now, for the most photographed person in Chase the First …..Camden Riviere.
