Tennis fans have a ball

By Richard Petrie
BBC Sport

Henri Leconte thrilled the fans at the Odyssey Arena

It may not be Centre Court at Wimbledon on a hot, sunny day in July but local tennis fans have been soaking up the action at Tennis Legends in Belfast.

On the day when equal prize money for women competitiors ushered in a new era at Wimbledon it was very much the old guard who were taking centre stage.

Packed houses at the Odyssey Arena bear testimony to the popularity of the stars of yesteryear and the voracious appetite for sporting nostalgia.

Household names like John McEnroe, Pat Cash, Henri Leconte and Wayne Ferreira were greeted with rapturous enthusiasm by fans of all ages, some born more than a decade after McEnroe's famous 1980 Wimbledon final tie-break against Bjorn Borg.

These players may be in the sunset of their illustrious careers but in an age when genuine sporting personalities are few and far between, they still hold a special place in the hearts of tennis enthusiasts.

From dedicated club players to armchair fans, they packed the multi-purpose arena to relive their youth, watch the stars in action and get those much sought-after autographs and photographs.

Belfast is the first of eleven stops in the BlackRock Tour of Champions and the legends did not disappoint, showing much of the old brilliance, combining power and deft touches, much to the appreciation of the crowds.

The matches were competitive but entertainment was the order of the day with friendly banter, a relaxed atmosphere and crowd participation proving an effective mix.

"Our tournament careers may be over but we enjoy having fun and playing tennis at a serious level," explained former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.

The guys play best of five sets and the women best of three so some may say it will now be unequal Pat Cash

"There is not the same pressure involved and there are some fantastic players on this tour who like to entertain the fans.

"People may be surprised that the standard of tennis is so high but these guys can all play, they try very hard and the competitive spirit still burns. Everyone wants to win but have some fun and have some interaction with the crowd as well."

The attraction of watching the elder statesmen of tennis is reflected in other 'senior' events in sports such as golf and football but the flamboyant Leconte is surely on a par with any of the entertainers who have graced the Odyssey in recent years.

Ballboys, line judges, the umpire and the crowd all fell victim of the unpredictable and very likeable Frenchman.

So much for the old but what of the new as Wimbledon organisers announce they are to offer parity of prize money for their women players.

Cash was diplomatic in his response but broadly welcomed the move.

"I suppose it is more a social issue than anything else but the guys play best of five sets and the women best of three so some may say it will now be unequal.

"But the girls all train hard, play a lot of tennis and play hard so they might as well make it equal to stop all the debate about it.

John McEnroe is in action in Belfast this week

"There was only a small disparity anyhow and this will receive a mixed reaction but I think in the end it was the right decision."

Tennis fans attending the event on Thursday offered opposing points of view.

"The men's game is of a higher standard and more entertaining and it also attracts more viewers and brings in the crowds, so I think they should get paid more," said one woman.

"There are more personalities in the men's game, people come to see the McEnroes of this world, and they play more of a power game," she added.

Another Tennis Legends fan had a different view.

"Women are playing the same game so why should they not get the same pay.

"In many of the major tournaments, the men only play three sets too and the women work just as hard in training throughout the year and in the gym.

"They are also paying the same amount for coaches and advisers," she continued.