Corfu Tennis Club celebrates 130 years

Corfu Tennis Club is celebrating its 130th anniversary. One of the island’s oldest sporting institutions, the Club is marking the anniversary with an event on Wednesday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m. at the People’s Garden.

The history of tennis in Corfu dates back to the late 19th century. According to the history published by the Corfu Tennis Club itself, before 1896 a group of young people founded the “Lawn Tennis Club” in Corfu. Most of them had been educated in Britain or came from families with longstanding ties to Britain or to the Ralli businesses in India. They had just one court, on rented land owned by Rikki, and no clubhouse or changing rooms. The same source claims that tennis was first played in Greece in Corfu. The existence of an organised tennis club in Corfu in the early 20th century is also documented in historical literature.

In 1915, according to the Club’s archives, the Municipality granted the Club a four-acre plot of land in what was then the almost uninhabited area of Nea Poli–Fortias, where its facilities remain today. Four clay courts and a clubhouse were built, along with changing rooms and ancillary facilities, based on designs by Corfiot architect Stamos Rikki and in the style of an British lodge. That same year, new statutes were drawn up and the first Board of Directors was elected, with G. Flambouriaris as president.

According to the same historical account, during its early years the Club had a strong social character, while occasional matches were held with members of the Athens Tennis Club and officers of British warships stationed in Corfu.

In October 1938, according to the club history, the Corfu club joined the newly established Tennis Confederation, the organisation that is now known as the Hellenic Tennis Federation.

The period of the Occupation represents a particularly significant chapter. As the Club itself recounts, following the occupation of Corfu in 1941, the Board of Directors refused to allow Italian soldiers and officials of the Political Administration of the Ionian Islands to enter the facilities. The occupying authorities requisitioned the premises and used them to house an artillery unit. The damage to the courts and buildings was extensive, and the Club’s activities were suspended.

After the war, reconstruction began. The club's historical archives credit Alexandros Gerontikos with a decisive role. Initially the Club’s general secretary and subsequently its president for 35 years, he sought to open the Club to broader sections of Corfiot society, particularly young people.

The Club’s international activity also intensified from the mid-1960s onwards. According to the Club’s records, the annual Corfu International Tournament was established in 1966. It continued for 21 years and brought well-known Greek and international players to the island.

The next major period began in the 1990s, with the Greek Cup in 1996 and an ITF international Juniors tournament in 1997, followed by a number of other international events. As recorded by the club, players who later rose to very high positions in the world rankings competed in Corfu’s junior tournaments, including Maria Sakkari, Dominic Thiem, Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli.

Today, according to the Club, its facilities include five courts meeting international standards, while two internationally ranked events are held there: the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J60 and the ITF World Tennis Masters MT200.

The anniversary event at the People’s Garden on Wednesday will celebrate this 130-year journey. Anyone wishing to attend can contact the Club’s Secretariat or Ms Mara Skordili to obtain invitations.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS