Things people used to do in tennis stadiums

[Deleted member 771911]

Here we go @PDJ!

So, while watching highlights of Chang and Lendl RG '89, I noticed this woman smoking at 46:08.

Which tickled me as I grew up in those days, nearly everyone I know smoked, and of course we did it everywhere. Planes, trains, tennis stadiums, wherever.

@Tshooter then sent me a link of when he had remarked on a similar thing. I'll let Tshooter post it here if he wants. Don't wanna be stealing posts.

Intriguingly, PDJ revealed to me they had a potential post of their own to add. Please do PDJ! So, I thought this would be a good thread to post anything we notice about things people used to do in tennis stadiums. Not sure how many there will be, but some of us are eagle eyed and there could be some interesting and nostalgic stuff. I think people could be fans, players, officials, ball kids, whoever is there.

 

[PDJ]

I immediately thought of this match: Robert Lansdorp, Austin's coach smoking at 2m57.
Longer videos of this match also show both players mothers smoking. I'll need to find it.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I immediately thought of this match: Robert Lansdorp, Austin's coach smoking at 2m57.
Longer videos of this match also show both players mothers smoking. I'll need to find it.

Great stuff.
Can you imagine that now? Even a high profile coach caught smoking off court. Social media and tennis media would be up in arms.
I think there were pics of a player smoking fairly recently. Maybe Ferrer?

 

[NonP]

Count me among those who'd love to see smoking wiped off the face of the earth and consider it good progress that we no longer see/allow it in public arenas. The WHO estimates that up to 8.2 million people die a year from tobacco use, and while I understand there's no moral equivalence it's in a way absolute madness that we don't get half as outraged about this as we are about wars or even the opioid epidemic. And the usual homily about freedom or voluntary use goes out the window when the vice in question is as addictive as tobacco.

Now calm down, I'm not calling for a ban on (outdoor) smoking. Hell I don't even feel strongly about secondhand smoke, either. But you'll never convince me that such a destructive substance/habit is acceptable because it helps people relax, harkens back to the good ol' days, or whatever, and the less we see of it, the better.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Count me among those who'd love to see smoking wiped off the face of the earth and consider it good progress that we no longer see/allow it in public arenas. The WHO estimates that up to 8.2 million people die a year from tobacco use, and while I understand there's no moral equivalence it's in a way absolute madness that we don't get half as outraged about this as we are about wars or even the opioid epidemic. And the usual homily about freedom or voluntary use goes out the window when the vice in question is as addictive as tobacco.

Now calm down, I'm not calling for a ban on (outdoor) smoking. Hell I don't even feel strongly about secondhand smoke, either. But you'll never convince me that such a destructive substance/habit is acceptable because it helps people relax, harkens back to the good ol' days, or whatever, and the less we see of it, the better.

I agree, it's a pretty bad habit. I used to do it but gave it up when I realised how much money I could save lol and not because of the health benefits.
Yeah I am not sure if I would have been pleased if someone had lit one up in the tennis stadium next to me. I did go to tennis in the 90s and never saw that. I guess these videos are more 80s. The most problem I've had in tennis stadiums is people sitting in front of me with big sunhats!

 

[Harry_Wild]

Many ladies use to read their book while match was under way before smartphones and iPad were created. Others talked about other things they wanted to talk about while the players played! Sort of like watching a baseball game!

 

[Larry Duff]

Johan Kriek once complained about the crowd smoking at an indoor tournament in London early 80s. The tournament sponsor was Benson and Hedges

 

[stringertom]

Johan Kriek once complained about the crowd smoking at an indoor tournament in London early 80s. The tournament sponsor was Benson and Hedges

WTA was sponsored by Virginia Slims at the same time NASCAR’s year-long competition was called the Winston Cup. B&H (a brother label to VS) stayed active as a pro golf sponsor until 2003 when the U.K. banned all advertising and sponsorship of sporting competitions.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Smoking in closed spaces is horrible. Smoking in tightly packed spaces is horrible. On both occasions, because it is forced on people that might not want to experience it.

Other than that smoking is absolutely fine, and if it is a qulaity cigar, and not the usual garbage that the tobacco companies normally sell, then it can even be enjoyable.

People need to understand that all humans need to have addictions, and if it isn't smoking, it will be booze or something worse.

 

[Sudacafan]

I used to smoke cigarettes years ago, for two periods totaling 12 years. Glad that I quit.
Several years later I discovered cigars, fooling myself that I could manage the habit, as they were not as addictive as cigarettes. I admit that cigars were a real pleasure for me. Glad that I could quit, too. Still I love how they smell.

 

[PDJ]

I don't like smoke in small, enclosed spaces. Aside from that, no issue. I'd prefer to spend time with a smoker than an alcoholic.

 

[Sudacafan]

I don't like smoke in small, enclosed spaces. Aside from that, no issue. I'd prefer to spend time with a smoker than an alcoholic.

In small and enclosed spaces, I think it’s a bit hard to tell.

 

[PDJ]

In small and enclosed spaces, I think it’s a bit hard to tell.

Sorry, I was thinking mainly socially, but did work in an office with an alcoholic boss that started drinking 'surreptitiously' late afternoon. It was horrendous. He went from a gentle, witty, professional to an absolutely vile, spiteful man. The circumstances of the job made it very difficult to combat.

 

[Sudacafan]

Shout “Come on, Roger” at the middle of serve motion at Championship Point at Wimbledon.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

The wave?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1505833736148036

 

[PDJ]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1505833736148036

Never seen the second video before. Brilliant.