Posted on August 31, 2021
This is an update of my post published on August 31, 2010:
On this day in 1881, the first U. S. Open, then called the U. S. National Championship, was completed with 19-year-old Harvard student Richard D. Sears winning the title.
During the tournament, Sears didn’t lose a single set.
Sears went on to win the title every year for seven consecutive years. (This record is still unbroken, but the rules were different then, which makes it hard to compare athletes’ accomplishments.) Sears retired from the game in 1887, still undefeated.
Watch some of the U.S. Open tennis today.
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| Above: Naomi Osaka
Below: Nick Kyrgios |
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| Above: Sloane Stephens
Below: Stefanos Tsitsipas |
Or play some tennis. It’s a great game, lots of fun AND lots of exercise, and a game you can play with just one other person, all your life.
- Here is an interesting video about some of the pre-tennis games and activities that teachers use with young kids getting started with tennis.
- And here is a video capturing a few moments of one of the greatest tennis matches of recent years.
- And this one shows some funny moments in pro tennis.
Also on this date:
Eat Outside Day
Independence Day in Trinidad and Tobago
Birthday of publisher Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin
Plan ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
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August holidays
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August birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in August
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September holidays
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September birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in September