I am no longer a physical player! However, a little history to the background of tennis over the years could be of interest to you.
In 1959, when I became a professional there were only 14 courts in use, some were very neglected, with only 7 of these courts employing 10 professionals around at that time, 4 of them were at Lord’s. Now we have 25 courts and over 50 professionals. There were none of the following:- competitions or tournament professionals or sponsorship, no RTPA, no professional on the T&RA committees. In fact, the T&RA only had an unpaid honorary secretary and a treasurer, no paid chief executive or any paid officers for development, training or youth.
Peter won the Taylor Cup in 1965, Seacourt Silver Racket in 1978 and the British Professional Doubles in 1982 & 1983 with Kevin Sheldon.
I was the first professional to be asked to sit on the T&RA tennis committee. The Young Professionals’ Fund did not exist and when this was started it had an enormous effect on the game encouraging courts to employ a professional.
I was Chairman of the RTPA for 25 years until Jonathan Howell was elected, on my decision to stand down and not put myself forward for re-election.
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