America’s home of tennis is ace for a break
tournament in the country. The US National Men’s Singles Championship ran in August 1881 with 25 players.
In the 19th century New York society decided that the sea air and open spaces of Newport made it the perfect spot for summer getaways.
What started as wooden cottages soon became elaborate mansions.
The Newport Preservation Society saved many for visitors to enjoy.
Today you can check out The Breakers, The Elms, Kingscote, Hunter House, Chateau-sur-mer and Chepstow.
The Hall of Fame, also housed in a building from the Gilded Age, has just reopened after a £2.3million renovation. Established in 1954, it is dedicated to preserving the history of tennis and has 25,000 artefacts on show. Its creator James van Allen wanted to make a “shrine to the ideals of the game”.
It is thought tennis started in France in the 12th century, becoming popular among nobility in the 16th century before drifting to England, where Henry VIII was a big fan.
Legends
I learned more about the game’s legends at the museum, which has kiosks holding pictures of Hall of Fame inductees. New additions from 2017 include Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick and Paralympic gold medallist Monique Kalkman.
Some tennis greats I expected to see were absent and there was an American bias. But a player is only nominated after retirement and it was Americans only up until 1976.
I came across exhibits of current stars, not least our Andy Murray – his Adidas kit worn for the 2012 US Open was on display. Donations from the Williams sisters include Serena’s golden trainer, worn when she won the 2002 French Open.
A hologram of 18-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer sees him sharing his ten top reasons for playing. You can’t help but duck when he smashes volleys your way.
Wanting to find out more about the ATP tournament, I headed for the courts at the rear of the property. This complex has 13 grass courts, a clay court, an indoor one and a Real Tennis facility – with old-fashioned equipment and rules.
The main court is the South Stand and has a 3,800 capacity. Big names expected to play are American John Isner, Steve Johnson and rising Australian star Thanassi Kokkinakis.
Only exhibition matches are played on the Horseshoe Court these days, watched over by a life-size statue of Fred Perry.
Here’s hoping another Brit can copy his success in Wimbledon and get their face in the Hall of Fame. FACTFILE: Return flights from Gatwick to Boston with Norwegian Air, leaving July 15, and five nights at the Gilded Hotel, with breakfast, parking and car hire, from £1,529pp. Visit purelynewengland.co.uk.