2023 KNOX
Aiken hosted the annual Northrup Knox Doubles tournament on March 16-19, 2023. Morgan Purvis and George C. Handy, III defeated Rakesh Jasani and Jason McAlhaney.
2023 Hickey Cup Goes to Calcagno
by James Greenley The Hickey Cup was played at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. There was a total draw of sixteen players from Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Tuxedo, and Newport. There was some fantastic tennis from everyone in the tournament. Libby Gephart (RCOP)played Anwaar Spence from California in the first semi-final, and Anwaar progressed into the final. For the second semi-final, Conard Calcagno (Westwood) was drawn against Brittany Wakim (RCOP). Unfortunately, Brittany had to withdraw, and Conrad had a walk over to the final. During the final, Conrad got off to the perfect start taking the first set comfortably… Read the Full Story >
25th Annual USCTA Dinner, Awards & Auction
by Jim Zug In mid-December 2022, the Racquet & Tennis Club hosted the twenty-fifth annual United States Court Tennis Association dinner and auction during the traditional Whitney Cup weekend. Two hundred and sixteen people came to the silver anniversary dinner. It was one of the largest crowds in USCTA history. The evening, ably chaired by Ted Goneos, was a spectacular black-tie affair. It began with a splendid cocktail hour in the main lounge of the club’s second floor. Especially because of the pandemic, it was a reunion of sorts, with old friends gathering from every club in the U.S. and… Read the Full Story >
Jimmy Dunn of East Falls
by George Bell A lesson with Jimmy Dunn 45 years ago was nothing like a lesson today. The legendary Racquet Club of Philadelphia head pro entered the court in sneakers, gray flannels, and a white sleeveless sweater, a small man with the arms of a blacksmith, usually with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He didn’t look you in the eye and had no memory for names. You were summoned to the dedans with a jerk of his square head. “Let me see you cut a forehand,” he would growl, his racquet tucked under his armpit. Already he had an… Read the Full Story >
Washington to Host 2023 World Singles Championship
From the IRTPA: On behalf of the International World Championship Committee (IWCC) the IRTPA Executive are delighted to announce their acceptance of the bid from the Westwood Country Club in Washington, DC. The dates of the challenge matches are Sunday 17th, Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st September 2023. Around the Challenge match days there will be social events and sporting activities for the spectators including a court tennis tournament and lawn tennis tournament. Congratulations to the Westwood team and we look forward to a great World Championship Challenge on their new court.
Bathurst Cup 2022
by Jon Crowell Arriving in London at 6:40 am on Saturday morning the excitement of match play was still two days away. Despite not having slept at all on the plane, I arrived surprisingly awake with the possibilities of this fabulous tournament at the top of my mind. It was not intentional but, very conveniently, 3 of the 4 US Bathurst Cup team members landed within minutes of each other at Heathrow airport and met up for the second time as teammates in the arrival hall beyond customs. Having seen each other in Philadelphia for a two-day training camp the… Read the Full Story >
2022 Jimmy Knott
by Leon Smart On October 13th – 16th, The Tennis and Racquet Club hosted the annual Jimmy Knott Memorial Singles. This year’s field included 31 players with representation from the USA, England, and France. The Open Division was highly contested with Whitey Cup selection on the line. The shock result of the tournament came when T&R local, Andrew Peabody, defeated the number 1 seed and former US Amateur champion Todd Meringoff, 6-5 in the third set. On the other side of the draw, Alex Spence faced numerous match points against Ben Hudson at 5-2 40-0 down, but somehow, Alex managed… Read the Full Story >
The Soldier – A Recollection of Jimmy Knott
THE SOLDIER A RECOLLECTION OF JIMMY KNOTT by George Bell He was stocky, feral in his gait, wild-eyed with one brow often arched as he strode down the third-floor hallway of the R&T on his way to the locker room. But he was dapper too, arrayed with his pocket square and regimental tie and doubled-breasted blazer and gold buttons. He honored the club’s dress code, even in his early 20s, while most of us came through the backdoor without a tie and rode up the service elevator. With his long face and prominent nose, he resembled a French nobleman. Jimmy… Read the Full Story >
Plimpton Prize
by James Zug photo by Tim Edwards In September 2022 the USCTA was proud to award Kathryn Ronaldson McNicoll the 2022 George Plimpton Prize. The ceremony was held at Prested Hall during the Fourth International Conference on the History of Tennis. Frederica Adam, on behalf of the Real Tennis Society, hosted the conference on the second day of the World Championship. Numerous historians gave talks during the conference, including John Shneerson on tennis at Lords, Ian Harris on Philip the Bold of Burgandy, David Best on tennis in London and Michael Lindell on the world of Mikko, the famous tennis artist.… Read the Full Story >
Mike Gooding
MEMORIAL SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS ARE POSTED AT THE END OF THE STORY Mike Gooding January 1, 1965 – September 28, 2022 Michael H.J. Gooding died on Tuesday. He was fifty-seven years old. Mike Gooding was a beloved leader in court tennis for the past forty years. He grew up in Troon in southwest Scotland and attended Marr College. As a junior he was a top badminton player, representing Scotland. In 1979, at age fourteen, he was introduced to court tennis at the revived Sun Court in Troon—Chris Ronaldson, then the pro at Troon, hosted the Scottish badminton team at the court.… Read the Full Story >
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