By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
The result of the first ever tennis match in the Serengeti was…. a DNF (Did Not Finish!)
John McEnroe and younger brother Patrick McEnroe played in the first ever tennis match played on a specifically-created temporary tennis court in the Serengeti in Tanzania on Tuesday, December 5, set up as part of a tour organized by tour operator Insider Expeditions
The 10-game pro-set match, however, was unable to finish due to rain, with John leading Patrick 7-4.
“John was funny with his antics of old in his now more humble humorous fashion,” wrote Lynn Southerly, volunteer President of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, who was one of several paying tour customers on the trip. “The sidelines were filled with government officials, dignitaries, aspiring tennis players and Tanzanian pros, locals, property workers , our tour group and tons of press. Everyone was excited to be there.”
Tennis Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic gold medal winner Gigi Fernandez served as the chair umpire and Ben Sturner of Leverage Sports Agency served as the emcee.
Some video of the event can seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWGnLl82tvM and here https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eFTQ8sHX8fU
The court surface was a tile-like surface, despite speculation that a more bio degradable and organic surface would be used, as you can read about here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/21873
The tour was originally announced in a Zoom conference call that you can watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozt3rn4kf48&t=57s
The tour was organized with the highest intentions of good will and tourism, but some have said that the tour is an example of sports-washing, as reported here https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2023/12/01/john-mcenroe-controversy-tennis-match-serengeti/71757764007/ but it would seem that these issues are a stretch to connect.
