* Aussies win 2013 Clothier Cup

The 2013 Clothier Cup – a biennial team event between Australia and the United States – was held in Newport on July 5 & 6. The event is open to players under the age of 25. The U.S. team was captained by Clayton Vaughters and included: Dylan Ward, Tom Pickin, Peter Cipriano, Paul Monaghan and Laurenson Ward.

The players arrived in Newport on July 4^th, in time for some team practices, capped off by fireworks over the Newport Harbor. Play began on Friday, with 4 singles matches and continued on Saturday with doubles play. While the Aussies swept all 8 matches, our young U.S. team put up a good fight.

Greg Van Schaack, USCTA President, presented the trophy and medals to the players on Saturday. Van Schaack said that international events like the Clothier Cup are the essence of the game – meeting players from other clubs and countries – and experiencing amateur tennis at its best.

The weekend ended with a celebratory dinner at the Sky Bar during which the Australians presented our players with ARTA ties and the players exchanged team shirts.

Before coming to Newport, the Australians visited Chicago, New York and Tuxedo.  Baseball games, dinners and of course, tennis, were the highlights of their trip. After Newport they headed up to Boston for a day of sightseeing and shopping and then it was off to London to play in the Limb Cup – UK vs. Australia.

Thanks to Newport for hosting the Clothier Cup on what is the busiest weekend of the summer! Special thanks to Rich Smith & Sergio Lopez – the Newport Pros, the NTC members who hosted the players and Charlene & Berry Packham for hosting the Friday night BBQ.

Thanks to Brad Allen for arranging the week-long tour.

Finally – congrats to our U.S. team for putting up a good fight and conducting themselves in a most sportsmanlike manner. Next time….!