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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2025 67 "You can't be SERIOUS," bellowed John McEnroe when he heard that the FSB Tennis Club was holding a pre-Wimbledon tournament and that the players would be taking on the names of actual Wimbledon champions. (Source: Associated Depress) In 1977, McEnroe, at the age of 19, was the youngest male semifinalist in 100 years and in his career, he became a three-time champion as well as a well-known cranky pants. When McEnroe found out that it was going to be Steve Hovey, an aging and aged lefty and cranky pants in his own right, who was tagged with his name, he really popped his cork. Which is exactly what the tournament winners were able to do with their large bottles of champagne, in keeping with Wimbledon's traditions. After four rounds of "Tiebreak Ten" matches, four teams qualified for the semi-finals: Stan Lam (Stan Smith)/Tracy Mahan (Lindsey Davenport), Thekla Seigman (Billie Jean King)/Randy Haemmerle (Carlos Alcaraz), Larry Martin (Jimmy Connors)/Chikako Ferguson (Elena Rybakina), Bernadette Lombardo (Simona Halep)/ Richard Carrasco (Rafael Nadal). It's not an oversight that McEnroe's namesake isn't on that list; he was left to grumble on his own. In the match for third place, Bernadette and Richard defeated Larry and Chikako 10 – 6, and in the championship contest, Tracy and Stan prevailed over Randy and Thekla, also by 10 – 6. And then we all celebrated with barbecued burgers and hot dogs, not a Wimbledon tradition, followed by strawberries and (whipped) cream, suitable for a London day at The Courts. If we do this again next year, maybe someone will pick the name of Althea Gibson, who in 1957 became the first Black tennis player to win the Wimbledon singles title by defeating fellow American Darlene Hard in the championship match. The Tennis Club does not have any special activities scheduled for the hot month of August, but we will look forward to watching the U.S. Open tournament running from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7. Play early or play late but be sure to hydrate. Saturday FUNdamental drills and gentle coaching will start at 8:30 am on Court 1. Regular last-Saturday-of-the-month Play Days will have sign- ins at 8 am and play beginning at 8:30 am. Visit our website at https://sites.google.com/view/tennis-fourseasons/ home. ~ Steve Hovey (951) 712-5319, sahovey47@hotmail.com Tennis Club Hey guys, look this way! Darrell Imoe smacks a forehand Tito and the ball share a moment

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