The eyes of the tennis world are firmly focussed on Wimbledon at present, though during the first week of August Suffolk proudly stages the 2nd oldest Tournament in the country, the much-loved family event being staged in the picturesque setting of historic Framlingham College. For the last 110 years “Fram” has given so many people in Suffolk, throughout this country and from abroad an enormous amount of pleasure and a wonderful opportunity to meet old friends and to make new ones.
Over a century ago the first Open Tournament ever held in Suffolk was played from September 19th-2lst 1893 at Hurts Hall Park , Saxmundham. The weather was glorious, 1,000 spectators paid daily admission, and all the aristocracy of the neighbourhood were present at this sensational new event.
As the century ended the Tournament was now outgrowing the facilities, with 50 matches a day, current referee Steve Pilcher expecting to schedule a total of 800 matches , with just a mere 51 events with a unique family range of “8 Under” to “Over 65” to be played. The increasing popularity of the event meant that more courts would be needed for the 1900’s ! However, it was not the new innovations that the tournament would be remembered for, but other, more incredible moments, like the extraordinary storm on Thursday August 23rd, 1900, when the game of tennis had to give way to a game of snowballs and the usually restrained committee indulged in a game of “snowballing”.
There was an increase to 10 courts in 1920, when Lieutenant-Colonel H.W. Davies, on home leave from India, had quite a week. Only a couple of days earlier he had captured the East of England title, and he showed no ill effects of his captivity in the hands of the Turks. There followed a “halcyon period” , with many of the Wimbledon stars and potential champions playing regularly at Framlingham College , the new home of the tournament since 1914. Coming after the Wimbledon legends Herbert Roper Barrett and Bunny Austin we saw South Africa’s Keith Diepraam, Ken Woolcott from New Zealand, and a number of British stalwarts like Paul Hutchins , Robin Drysdale, Jill Rook, Jean Bostock, Nell Truman, Judy Congdon and Shirley Brasher.
The leading Suffolk players regularly turned out to try their hand against top quality opposition in the Open events, and there was always fierce rivalry for the Closed Singles and Doubles. 1959 saw a Suffolk champion in the shape of 18 year-old Joan Stedman, later to become Joan Hassell. Other names to be remembered will be Freddie Beer, “Pip” Wootton, Peter Rudland, Alfie Long,Sue Fulcher (nee Mornard),Yvonne Durham (nee Grimwade), Andrea Cooper, Steven Lockwood, and latterly the likes of Jeremy Cowley and the record-breaking Katie Tassell (nee Bull). Lord Belstead and Colonel Leader were one of the many really entertaining doubles partnerships on view.
Both the high regard the tournament is held in, and its essentially local favour, are mirrored by its President, Christine Janes (nee Truman). Christine won the Swiss and Italian titles in ’59, as well as reaching the final of the US Open, and she was an unlucky runner-up at Wimbledon in 1961. She keeps herself busy these days by promoting tennis in the Aldeburgh area where she now lives, and has produced some successful books of childhood poetry. Her daughter Amanda will be playing for Suffolk Ladies at Felixstowe next month. I caught up with Christine as she arrived in London last weekend for her 38th year of work for Radio Five Live at the Championships and asked the following :
Q: How long have you been involved with the Tournament ?
A: My brother Humphrey was at the College,and the whole family and their children played. I first played in 1952 and won the 18 and Under a year later when 12 years old.
Q: Why do you think the Tournament is so popular ?
A: It is a very attractive venue, with a unique block of courts. People love the special “garden party atmosphere with the marquee, catering,etc, and spectators all around the courts.
Q: How well have the Committee done over the years ?
A: From the Paul family onwards the Committee have been the backbone of the week. There is a lot of history involving the tournament and local families, and I often stayed at Glemham Hall.
Q: Which one aspect of the event makes it so special ?
A: The venue of tennis courts on the cricket pitch makes it very special, like Beckenham.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for future improvements?
A: With grasscourts coming back in fashion, it would be good to attract more top quality players.
Q: How vital are such tournaments in terms of British tennis as a whole ?
A: Having lost tournaments like Connaught, Sutton and Surbiton, tournaments like Framlingham are vital as a stepping stone for young players, with the local events creating great interest.
Q: Are we ever likely to see you competing in the Senior events ?
A: Never say never, especially as it’s on grass !
Christine Janes and her family obviously fell in love with this very unique tournament, which clearly has a special place in the hearts of tennis players from Suffolk and beyond. To watch Wimbledon is a real highlight every year, but to be involved at Framlingham is a true tennis experience to savour.