USTA Tournament - Fred McNair

Bermuda hosted its first USTA tournament in April 2018, with some 61 overseas players, and with a total entry of over 80. It was a  “level 2” event, but many of the players normally play level 1, yet decided on this event “because it was Bermuda”, causing the standard of play to be high in all age groups. 

The tournament was a huge success - and two Bermuda IC members won their events  -  Erica Bove and Michael Way.         

Among the entries from the USA was Fred McNair, an earlier French Open Mens Doubles Champion with, at the time, the mens doubles ranking of Number One in the world.         

Bermuda IC member Robin Blackburne played in the tournament and, during the Welcoming Cocktail party at The Coral Beach Club on the Wednesday evening, received a comment from one of the other players “ Nice Tie”.  Gathering he was a US IC member (who else recognizes the tie ! ), Robin got into a delightful conversation with this person but did not, until the following day, know his name.  It turned out to be Fred McNair, and Robin saw a lot of him during the tournament.  Remembering that the following Sunday was the Bermuda IC monthly get-together on the Mount Pleasant Grass Court, Robin invited him to join us.

We were delighted to welcome him on the pristine grass and he had a wonderful afternoon of tennis.

 Robin is waiting to receive a number of photos from him and, as soon as they are to hand, a few will be posted to this site.