In 1928, it is hard to believe that news of a Tennis player was more important news than that of a presidential election, but it was. The United States Lawn Tennis Association tried to keep one of its best players from being paid in any area of work related to tennis. They felt that tennis players should not be played to keep the integrity of the sport. How did they expect anyone to make a living? On another note I still can't get over the fact that tennis used to be played on grass!
It seems that in the respect of the social status of those who play tennis and golf has not changed terribly since the early 20th century. Originally it was restricted to those who came from wealthy families who could afford to play the game and not have to worry about being paid because they had enough money. Also, these sports were only played in elite althletic clubs, reserved for the wealthy. This is somewhat similar today. Although there are public tennis courts and driving ranges and golf courses, the best facilities are found at country clubs and other places with private memberships. It is well known that people who make a decent living have a tendency to golf. Alot of this has to do with the fact that a lot of business deals are made on the golf course. Now business isn't usually done on tennis courts, but it is a stereotype that the women of wealthy businessmen play tennis with each other during the day. You don't see prestigious country clubs with basketball courts for their members.
Random fact from the reading: I didn't know Arnold Palmer was a professional golfer; but he makes a mean drink!
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After reading your post I started thinking why it is that golf tends to attract more business when it omes to making deals on the course. I guess tennis or basketball is much more physically demanding than golf, plus it is faster paced, which doesn't allow for much talking. Although, I am sure there are plenty of deals still being made on tennis courts or basketball or any other sport for that matter. I think one of the main reasons sports are mixed with business is because you can learn a lot about someone by the way they play a game or sport. If they cheat, you can't trust them in business. If they quit, you have to worry about them not holding up their end of a deal. These are just a couple reasons that I think sports and business will always mix.
ReplyDeleteIf you were surprised to learn that tennis was once played on grass, you may be even more surprised to learn that tennis is still played on grass at Wimbledon, which is the premier event in tennis. Here is a clip from You Tube on what is involved in the upkeep of grass courts at Wimbledon:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3aa1al4zwY&feature=PlayList&p=3A467E91AFC7AF95&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7
There is also a clip from the movie Wimbledon, with Kristen Dunst, a movie that I may have mentioned in class was not very authentic! There are also a few grass courts in Ohio; in the Cleveland area, Mayfield Country Club formerly had 2 grass courts. I am not sure whether they are still there.