Tennis: visit to the exclusive club of “Last 8” in Wimbledon

Heinz Günthardt is generally not a large tea drinker. In addition, But in Wimbledon, it is willingly exceptions. For example, “The cup of Earl Gray is simply essential here. Similarly, ” he confides as he takes advantage of the afternoon tea of ​​the Last 8 Club. However, At noon, he was also invited to have lunch in the Lodge of Members. Moreover, This is why he put himself on his thirty -one, thus sporting costume and tie. Consequently, In the living room, discussions and laughter is ripe. For example, We exchange stories from the past. However, we marvel at tennis: visit exclusive club “last the new generation of players and speculate on obtaining tickets for the short center.

42 winning services – Tennis: visit exclusive club "last

John Feaver ensures that everything is done in the rules of the art. In addition, “Once, he won 42 services against John Newcombe,” said Heinz Günthardt, presenting the 73 -year -old man. However, “That’s right,” confirms John Feaver. Similarly, And to add: “It was in the second round, in 1976, and I nevertheless ended up losing the match. Moreover, In the net. John Newcombe said to me, “You have a problem if you accumulate so many aces without winning the game.” He was right, but my services were still particularly good. ” For more than twenty years, these 42 aces formed the Wimbledon record, until Goran Ivanisevic the Bat.

He is the president of the All England Club (Editor’s note: private tennis club that organizes the Wimbledon tournament) From the time. Buzzer Hadingham, who had the idea of ​​creating the last 8 club in 1986. “When he saw that former tennis: visit exclusive club “last champions were lining up to get tickets. he did not find it normal,” says John Feaver. “In the 1960s. 70s, the players won almost nothing, but it was they who laid the foundations for tennis today. This is why we must pay tribute to them. Buzzer Hadingham has created this club, and the other Grands Slam has followed suit. ”

Anyone who has reached the quarter -finals (Last 8) in simple. like Belinda Bencic This year, the double semi-finals or the mixed final, is automatically accepted in this exclusive club. It currently has 682 members. All members see their names registered on a wall, the Wall of Fame.

Heinz Günthardt shone in simple. double

Heinz Günthardt qualified in the three categories: he reached the quarterfinals in single in 1985, he won double with tennis: visit exclusive club “last Balazs Taroche, and he participated in the mixed final with Martina Navratilova in 1986. The other Swiss members of the club are Roger Federer. Martina Hingis, Stan Wawrinka, Timea Bacsinszky, Viktorija Golubic and Belinda Bencic recently.

Those who are part of the club receive two tickets for each of the Wimbledon tournaments. They can also enter the last 8 club, where tickets for the two largest shorts are drawn for each match. “The draws take place in the greatest secrecy,” explains John Feaver seriously. Heinz Günthardt notes that he has always managed to get a ticket when he wanted one.

Wimbledon wants to carry its tradition worldwide

Heinz Günthardt is also one of the “Last 8” of Roland Garros andUS Openbut during these tournaments. he does not even know where the members tennis: visit exclusive club “last meet. In this regard, Wimbledon is unique: everything is a pretext for celebration. In addition to tea and pastries, members are entitled to a happy hour at 6 p.m. and a conference.

Neil Stubley, the chief gardener of Wimbledon, has already gone there. Today, it’s Emma Traherne’s turn, the curator of the tournament museum, to make the trip. The All England Club is anxious to preserve its traditions and make them known to the whole world.

During the tournament, more than 170 members of the last 8 club frequent the premises. These are generally former players of a certain age. As John Feaver points out, legends such as Rod Laver or Billie Jean King have already come to take tea.

Players who won Wimbledon in Simple benefit from additional privileges, such as life membership in the All England Club. They can go at any time of the year. “Unless we’re Roger Federer”, jokes John Feaver with mischief.

When Roger Federer was repressed at the entrance

The history of the spontaneous visit of the Swiss in 2022. tennis: visit exclusive club “last which was denied entry because a security agent had not recognized it, has something to amuse. Federer did not have his membership card on him. and even his remark saying that he had won the tournament eight times was not enough to convince the woman. He was finally allowed to enter and he shared a tea with the club president.

“Don’t worry, if Federer strikes our door, I will let him enter,” says John Feaver. He would have many stories to tell him. such as his double victory to the Indoors Swiss or his years spent playing for the Old Boys TC of Basel.

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