Billie Jean King (nee Moffitt), umpire Laurie MacCallum and Margaret Smith at Beckenham in 1965. Pic courtesy of Beckenham Cricket Club
A sports writer is compiling a history of the Beckenham Open tennis tournament. Reporter MARK CHANDLER finds out about the event that once attracted the world's top players.
MARTINA Navratilova, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King - these are just some of the famous players who have graced the tennis courts at Beckenham Cricket Club, Foxgrove Road, over the years.
The tournament, also known as the Kent All-Comers' Championships, was held there annually from 1886 to 1996.
It started off as a members' tournament but eventually the world's big name players also began competing and, at its peak, 5,000 spectators would come to centre court to watch the action.
James Buddell, a member of the club for 20 years but now living in Somerset, is putting together a book about the Open which will feature a comprehensive history and player interviews.
Mr Buddell, who gave out refreshments to players at the tournament in his youth, is also interested in hearing from anyone with memories or memorabilia of the event that he can feature in the book.
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He said: "Beckenham was attracting big name players up until the dawn of professional tennis and often had world champions appearing at the event.
"In 1968 it became open to amateur and professionals and there was more money and sponsorship flooding in to the game.
Ivan Lendl won the Beckenham Open in 1990 and 1991. Pic courtesy of Beckenham Cricket Club
"It was the world's first professional grass court tournament, which was quite an honour.
"Beckenham kept swimming along for the next 10 years and kept attracting big names until the early 1980s, when prize money started to shoot up."
In 1979 it stopped being part of the professional circuit and eventually was no longer able to match the huge prizes given at other tournaments and its popularity started to slip.
By 1996 it was only offering £7,000 for the winner, a tiny amount in comparison to the major tournaments.
Mr Buddell said: "The last great year for Beckenham was 1993 when huge crowds turned up to see Martina Navratilova because she was nearing her retirement.
"But the best year was definitely 1965 when the top ten players in the world all took part.
"These were great players like Billie Jean King and Maria Bueno."
Other players who have taken part over the years include Jimmy Connors, Fred Perry, and there was even an early appearance from Pete Sampras.
The tournament ended when a sponsor could not be found for the event and, despite a push to revive it three years ago, the days of professional tennis in Beckenham seem to be over for good.
Mr Buddell said: "It had a reputation in its own right and wasn't in the shadow of Wimbledon before 1968.
"Even when I worked in Beckenham, I saw some fantastic players, but, sadly, I knew the event wasn't as strong as it was previously."
To contact Mr Buddell, please write to him at Flat 1 Basement, 7 Lansdowne Place West, Bath, Somerset BA1 5EZ.
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