One thing I find fascinating is looking at the history of the tennis tours and some of the events that are now defunct. I hadn't realised that back in the early days of Open tennis, there was a UK based tour within the main Grand prix tour, called Dewar Cup.
The Dewar Cup appeared to comprise of 6 events around the country in places like Aberavon, Torquay, Perth, Stalybridge and had a tour finals played in Crystal Palace or the Royal Albert Hall. Entries included players like Connors, Ramirez, Stan Smith, Navaratilova, Wade etc as well as top GB players.
Amazing - imagine going to see this standard of event indoors in November in Stalybridge or Aberavon these days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewar_Cup_circuit
Does anyone else know anything more about this circuit? I know the old WCT Circuit quite well, are there any other similar tours that existed back in the days of early pro tennis, particularly in Britain?
Ooh now that woke up some of my slumbering brain cells!
Yes - I definitely remember the name, though sadly can't really give you any more info.
I do remember going to the Royal Albert Hall back in the day, which may well have been for this event - can't be sure. I saw J and D Lloyd vs Nastase and Connors. Remember getting some autographs too.
In 1974 and 1975, Nasty and Jimbo beat John Lloyd but he was playing with Mark Farrell, may have been one of those matches?
In 1976 Lloyd/Lloyd reached the final but the draw isnt available; 1972 Connors and Nastase reached the final but the draw isnt available.
RAH was/is a great venue. I remember the Wightman Cup being there and of course the long missed World Doubles Championships (when it was standalone) was played there and before that at Olympia in London as well. After that it went to Birmingham NEC for a couple of years, I remember going to the final.
And then of course the Wembley event, wow! Mac v Connors final in , I think, around 1982 - mayhem!!