When “the greats” came to town

Back in the 70s and 80s the major tennis pro’s of the day didn’t just play at Wimbledon. In fact they often entered low key events throughout the country to get practice playing on grass.

One of those tournaments took place in a public park in West Kirby on the Wirral every June and has been won by both John McEnroe and Boris Becker to name a few.

The courts still remain as does the purpose built terracing and turnstiles. Now anyone can play, for free, on the same courts that were graced by Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras, Virginia Wade, Roscoe Tanner and even Goran Ivanisavec, to name just a few.

The last major tournament was held in 1994. Today the grassed over terracing and iron turnstiles remain as a reminder of those hot summer days when, for a fleeting moment each year, the greats came to town.