MY FIRST WIMBLEDON WITH JUDGE ROBERT J. KELLEHER BY SIGRID DRAPER

Written by: Staff on 11th July 2015

MY FIRST WIMBLEDON WITH JUDGE ROBERT J. KELLEHER BY SIGRID DRAPER |

Editors Note: Judge Kelleher was the Father of OPEN TENNIS. He was as super a guy as tennis has ever known. He dedicated his life to the sport he loved. He was a great friend and supporter of the “game” for over 8 decades. He held many titles from being a great player to a great U.S. Davis Cup Captain to the best USLTA President to the man who opened up the sport for amateurs to play with the professionals. We spent many a great Wimbledon with the mighty Judge as well as his Dear Sigrid. (L.J)

WIMBLEDON! How would you like to go there, queried ROBERT J. KELLEHER in 1983. Never having heard the word before, I didn’t know how to respond. I guess my clueless expression prompted a total explanation! It was in England and ONE OF THE FOUR GRAND SLAMS OF TENNIS! A little Town ( London) A BIG EVENT!

Oh my yes! was my response. I had no clue what I was in for but should have guessed that it was so VERY special. He explained what a privilege it was to be invited. People have lined up in “cues” for days just to be allowed to enter the “hallowed grounds” of Wimbledon. Many have done this each year and NEVER succeeded. Judge KELLEHER was allowed to purchase four seats each year because he was a MEMBER OF THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB.

Photo by Lovey

WOW! I started pulling out the suitcases and dusting them off. Before packing, however, there were RULES! We would be invited to the ROYAL BOX and although the Ladies were no longer required to wear hats and gloves, appropriate attire was required. The. Royal box? You mean with the Queen of England? Well not quite, a few Duchesses, Dukes, and many Lords! If I had to curtsy, I was in big trouble! Coordination was not one of my talents! That went out with the hats and the gloves, I was reassured.

When we arrived at Wimbledon, my anticipation of grandeur and protocol was not a disappointment. The grounds were majestic and the tennis spectacular on every level. Center court was awesome! All the outside Courts were equally impressive and the Tennis players looked as though they all were winners.

Photo by Lovey

The VIP’s, of which Judge KELLEHER was one, were picked up at their hotel and driven to Wimbledon by Wimbledon Transport each day. In those days they drove you right into the grounds and dropped you off at the steps of the Royal Box. The only disappointment was to the fans waiting to get a first hand view of arriving Royals and Major Tennis stars. When they peered in and saw us, they yelled IT IS NOBODY! In later years, the only cars allowed to drive in and up to the Royal Steps were the Royals. I guess they got tired of tripping over the Tennis Players gear that blocked the Entrance!

The enormity of that experience cannot be described! The view from the Royal Box Balcony overlooking the entire grounds, was something to behold. It captured the entire event. All the Courts, all the multitudes of fans hustling and bustling elbow to elbow enjoying a sport that has so many great champions past and present. The famous Strawberries and Cream only added more charm to the event!

Yes, it is a once in a lifetime experience. I was fortunate to have many more of those times in years to come! The ending of the fortnight was the icing on the cake. It ended at the Savoy Hotel where they held the CHAMPIONSHIP BALL! The Two Champions sat at the Head Table with the Dignitaries. They were recognized as the true Champions that they were. They gave speeches, Toasted the Queen , ate and then left early so they could catch a plane to their next Tournament across the other side of the World. The rest of us stayed for dessert! One particular Champions Dinner honored Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi as they sat at opposites end of that long table, never did I envision that they would one day get married! Who says LOVE MEANS NOTHING IN TENNIS?

Photo by Lovey

Topics: 10sballs, Judge Robert J Kelleher, Sigrid Draper, Tennis News, Wimbledon 2015

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10sBalls_com says:

July 11, 2015 at 12:01 pm

MY FIRST @Wimbledon WITH JUDGE ROBERT J. KELLEHER BY SIGRID DRAPER- http://t.co/NgXVKbdtp4 #tennis #Wimbledon2015 #Wimbledon
ankurpatel62 says:

July 11, 2015 at 12:12 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: MY FIRST @Wimbledon WITH JUDGE ROBERT J. KELLEHER BY SIGRID DRAPER- http://t.co/NgXVKbdtp4 #tennis #Wimbledon2015 #Wimble…