Following junior tennis at the highest level is in some ways similar to listening to the even-numbered Beethoven’s symphonies; you get a glimpse of what’s coming. Past champions in many cases have gone on to win Gran Slam events and made a living playing playing our sport; most of those who didn’t have moved on to something else, but hopefully still play tennis once in a while.
Regardless of how well one did, the Orange Bowl was a wonderful experience and I bet that most of the players who have participated in it have fond memories of those two weeks in December. For those of us who played in the early 80s, these memories include having received really cool Ellesse warm-up suits, which looked like spacesuits. Just wearing one of those at some other tennis venue would prompt a conversation or two with someone else who also had one; sort of like a badge of honor. With all the sponsors these days, this may be an obsolete concept but it was meaningful then.
I unfortunately no longer have mine (and surely it wouldn’t fit me if I had it) but my great friend Rich does and I’m sure many others out there do too. It would be fun to hear from those who have them stored somewhere and still recall what it was like to wear them (after the tournament had ended). However, I still have a small piece from the 81 Orange Bowl that I still enjoy checking it out once in a while. Here it is:
As I follow Roy Lederman’s (via Colette Lewis’ posts) progress at the Eddie Herr tournament (he’s in the finals), I reminisce about what the name Eddie Herr means to me.
In December of 1981, I was planning to travel from Carbondale, Illinois where I was a freshman at SIU, to play in the Sunshine Cup (representing my native country of Colombia) and the Orange Bowl. To say that I was concerned about where I’d be staying or getting around for those two tournaments (the Sunshine Cup was being held at Laver’s in Delray Beach and the Orange Bowl at Salvatore Park near South Beach) would be a gross understatement (lack of money had plenty to do with my concerns then).
Here’s where Mr Herr comes in, because all it took was a five minute telephone conversation with him to change my entire outlook on this. His voice, his enthusiasm and reassurance were all I needed. I remember leaving SIU a week early, arriving in Miami and then playing Sweden in the first round (we lost), then Bahamas and Belgium (in the consolation) and finally leaving to play in the Orange Bowl. Throughout the next two weeks I spent time with some of the best juniors in the world, many of which would become world-class pros a few years later. I later flew to Bogota to spend my Christmas with my family.
In 1981, there was no Eddie Herr tournament; instead we had Mr. Herr helping junior tennis players from around the world, so we could all enjoy and focus on what was then THE best junior tournament in the world – the Orange Bowl.
So here’s a big Thank You from one player that benefitted greatly from Mr. Herr’s generosity.
Roy Lederman, the son of Jaime, my great friend and doubles partner of many years ago, is playing some great tennis at the Eddie Herr international junior tournament. After dismissing the 5th seed, he beat the 11th seed 6-1, 6-0 today to reach the quarters. Best of luck Roy!
We’re looking forward to the new year of tennis and a new version of Game & Match; one which will let tennis players connect in fun and meaningful ways. Over the next few weeks we’ll be writing about our new approach.
We’re just using the off-season to get in better shape, work on our weaknesses and prepare for a fun tennis season.
