my photos

anyone for tennis ...

The photo above shows my paternal Grandad back in the 1930s wearing his tennis whites. As a child I remember my brother and I being allowed to take both his and my Granny's wooden rackets out of their presses and use them to knock around a ball on the drive. After use they would always be put back in the press. I wonder what happened to them, maybe my Dad or Uncle still has them?

We are nearly at the end of Wimbledon fortnight. I must confess to not following tennis to a great extent these days, I have been completely put off watching the game by the increased use of grunting. I really can't listen to it!

Run by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon is regarded as the premier tennis tournament in the world. It is also the oldest, dating back to 1877. The first championship was a small event more comparable to a garden party than to a national tournament. Around 200 people attended, in contrast to the thousands that attend every year nowadays. Traditions at Wimbledon include a rule that players must wear all white, and that they must curtsey or bow if the Queen or Prince of Wales is present. Another unofficial tradition is the eating of strawberries and cream.

Quiet please, Wimbledon has been voted a British Icon.



Above is a photo of my paternal Granny in her tennis whites and sporting a very nice slave bangle and peak cap. I love both these photos. The late 1930s were the golden years for British Tennis, with Fred Perry and Dorothy Round taking the titles.