racquets

"Viv" was an Australian tennis champion of the 1930s. Along with John Bromwich, he was one of the first great players to use a two-handed backhand. His name was pronounced "McGraw". He was born in Merrendee, near Mudgee, New South Wales, the fourth child of native Australian parents. His father was a hotelkeeper. He went to Sydney Boys High School, graduating in 1932, where he played tennis and cricket. He won the Australian junior singles in 1932 and the French junior singles in 1933. He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1933 to 1937. Also, He won the Australian Open doubles championship with his friend Jack Crawford in 1935. In 1937, he won the Australian Open singles title against John Bromwich. McGrath was ranked World No. 8 in 1935 by A. Wallis Myers of The Daily Telegraph. World War II interrupted his career, and he served in the Air Force. He was granted leave to play exhibition games against American servicemen. After the war, he never regained his form and was plagued by injuries. He eventually became a coach in the southern highlands and pursued his interest in horse racing. Source: db4tennis.com/players/male/vivian-mc-grath

love your photos

Shy Shah Thank you

While not being urged to avoid competition, women had few opportunities to compete in sport in Australia until the 1880s. After that date, new sporting facilities were being built around the country and many new sport clubs were created.[1] One of the reasons women were encouraged to play croquet, tennis, and golf during the late 1800s was because it was seen as beneficial to their health. These sports were also seen as passive, non-aggressive, and non-threatening to the period's concepts of masculinity and femininity.[2]" Source: www.wikiwand.com/en/Women%27s_tennis_in_Australia

Plus, can't believe that I missed our 2nd Anniversary on Flickr Commons! We launched on 1 June 2011. Would just like to wish us all a very happy anniversary (what's a second anniversary - is it paper?). Thank you all for making this "marriage" lively, interesting and fun. And we almost never shout at each other about map reading! :)

National Library of Ireland on The Commons Congratulations on your COTTON Anniversary - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary#Traditional_and... Good to see the tennis club in fine cotton too!

beachcomber australia I thank you! And in the bottom row (1st and third left) are sisters(?) in matching crocheted outfits - probably cotton also...

I think I can see 6 Ladies with wrist watches and 1 Gentleman with a wrist watch and 1 with a pocket watch on a fob.

Those ladies using croquet hammers would obviously struggle to play tennis with these "bats"! Or was this "Irish Rules" tennis - if your opponent doesn't play fair bop them with a croquet hammer?