Firsts

In Newport I had the pleasure to sit and chat with former ATP star and Newport champion Vijay Amritraj while he was watching his son and Sam Querrey play doubles on court 3.

I remarked to Vijay that he won Newport twice and he corrected me that it was “three times. But who’s counting.”

Around then an older man, who later told me his name was Dr. Gudeon from New York, approached us and he told Vijay that he saw him play doubles against Rod Laver. The man also added that he saw Vijay play at Forest Hills in a match and he saw Vijay do something he had never witnessed on a pro tennis court before – he said Vijay clapped his racquet after the opponents made a winning shot.

Could it be that Vijay Amritraj was the very first player to ever clap his racquet for an opponents fine shotmaking, setting an example of sportsmanship which has become a part of the sport all over the world to this present day?

It could very well be.

Let’s talk about other “firsts” in tennis.

In no particular order…

Lleyton Hewitt was the first (and only) player to win a major title with his baseball cap on backwards (U.S. Open). Hewitt wore a headband while defeating Nalbandian in the Wimbledon final.

I might be wrong but I think Jan-Michael Gambill was the first player to wear black socks in an ATP match, though it might be Agassi.

Dominik Hrbaty was the first male player to wear a pink shirt.

Any more firsts you can think of?

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