TENNIS FROM LONDON – WIMBLEDON THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AS REMEMBERED BY SIGRID DRAPER

Written by: Staff on 7th July 2016

TENNIS FROM LONDON - WIMBLEDON THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AS REMEMBERED BY SIGRID DRAPER

epa05393882 Spectators enter the grounds as the gates are opened on the first day of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 27 June 2016. EPA/HANNAH MCKAY EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO COMMERCIAL SALES |

My first Wimbledon. I have ten million stories. Wimbledon is a very special place.

Wimbledon? Really? We are going to Wimbledon? Judge Robert J. Kelleher, expected me to have a little more enthusiasm than that! I would have, had I known what Wimbledon was. Never heard of it and had no clue where it was or how hallowed its grounds were.

I was to be enlightened. It was a little town in England and it was a Grand Slam venue unequaled in the history of tennis. All of the greatest tennis players, male and female, throughout history played on THAT CENTER COURT!

My first day at Wimbledon began with lunch in the All England Members Enclosure. A privilege not afforded to just anyone! Judge Kelleher was an Honorary Member of the All England a Club by virtue of his great contribution to Open Tennis. I was impressed!

I was beyond impressed when he told me that we would be sitting in the a Royal Box! This box was exclusive to the a Royals and their guests. I was to be on my best behavior. A feat that I would really have to work on. Good behavior has always been a challenge for me. I promised to do my best.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge in the Royal Box on Centre Court for the women’s semi finals during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2016 EPA/GERRY PENNY

The Wimbledon Transport picked us up at the Hotel and drove us directly through the gates and to the front steps of the royal Box. If self importance crossed my mind it soon was deflated when the hundreds of tennis fans surrounding the steps in hopes of seeing a tennis player or Royal peered in the Windows, spotted us and disappointedly declared us nobodies! Nevertheless, I never felt so special or privileged as I exited that car and climbed those stairs.

Once inside, I encountered the Duchess of Kent, Sarah Ferguson’s father and other dignitaries. I was in awe! I made my way to the Royal Loo only to be told I had to wait for the royals to exit. Ok by me. Never sat on a Royal Loo before!

The tennis was fabulous and to see the likes of Chrissie Evert Lloyd and Martina Navratilova curtsey to The Royals in the box as they exited Center Court was a thrill that gave me chills of excitement!

As the years went by, Wimbledon became a habit. We were privileged to be invited every year.

Every year, brought a greater appreciation of how truly lucky we were. We made so many friends and acquaintances. I learned to appreciate its history, how hallowed its grounds truly were and the traditions that have never been equaled anywhere in the world. When I saw how their citizens queued for hours just in the hope of getting in, I realized that this for me was a gift.

Angelique Kerber of Germany returns to Venus Williams of the US in their semi final match during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2016. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

I did succeed, most of the time, to be on my best behavior. Only failed once or twice in all those years. The most regrettable one was telling an off colored joke at a luncheon to the gentleman seated to my left. Unfortunately, and to the horror of the Host, he turned out to be the Archbishop of Canterbury!

The redeeming and saving grace was that he had a great sense of humor and laughed louder than anyone!

The British are wonderful, hospitable people who generously share their Crown Jewel, Wimbledon, with the World! How LUCKY are we all?

Editors note: Every once in a while Sigrid shares a gem of her view and vantage point of every year sitting in the ROYAL Box. She was adored by THE JUDGE and all of his tennis friends. Which included Richard Gonzales, Pancho Segura, Don Budge, Fred Perry, Arthur Ashe just to name a few.

The players all knew and loved the JUDGE. As did I. He hit his last fuzzy yellow tennis balls with me.

The man dedicated himself to tennis most of his life. (90 plus years) But most of all he basically structured the modern game by finally “opening up the game” in 1968. He had been working tirelessly at that forever but by 1962 it was his mission. Judge Robert J. Kelleher was The Father Of OPEN TENNIS! Thanks Sigrid always fun to see it thru your eyes….. (LJ)

Topics: All England Club, Arthur Ashe, Don Budge, Fred Perry, Judge Robert J Kelleher, London, Pancho Segura, Richard Gonzales, Royal Box, Sigrid Draper, Tennis News, The Championships, Wimbledon 2016

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