Book description
Wimbledon is a paradox. While outwardly appearing the quintessential
English lawn tennis club, as much a part of being British as
strawberries and cream or picnics in the park, it is in fact the
largest annual outside broadcast operation in the world and a
multi-million pound commercial enterprise. Remarkably, an enterprise
that generates its profit in just two weeks of the year.
It is also something we do rather well. Which other tennis
tournament in the world can describe itself as simply, "The Championships"?
Chris Gorringe is the man who, for twenty-six years, made it all
happen. The former chief executive, fondly referred to as
"Clockwork Gorringe," has dealt with everything from the
1973 players' boycott, the McEnroe tantrums, and Middle Sunday, to the
demands for equal prize money and the Olympic bid. He has witnessed
some of the greatest names in the sport producing some of their most
dazzling performances - from Navratilova to the Williams sisters, from
Borg to Federer - while assisting with the requirements of and demands
on today's high-profile professional tennis players. During his
tenure, revenue increased from £58,000 in his first year, to £27m in
his last. In Holding Court, he charts the unique journey of one
of the country's most venerable establishments, where decisions are
still made through a committee system dating back to 1868, into the
modern era.
For anyone who has ever been captivated by McEnroe v Borg, soaked up
the atmosphere in Aorangi Park, or been intrigued by what goes on
behind the scenes at SW19, Holding Court is a must-read.
Wimbledon is a national institution. When play starts on the first
Monday, millions of followers tune in. This book is for them.
A former quarter-finalist in the Junior Championships of GB at
Wimbledon, Chris Gorringe became assistant secretary of the All
England Club in 1973, responding to a job advert posted on the Club
noticeboard asking for a "male, preferably 35-45." In 1979
he was appointed Club Secretary. He later became Chief Executive.
During his twenty-six years at the helm, Wimbledon was transformed
into one of the biggest commercial sporting events in the world. He
stepped down as Chief Executive in 2005, after a long and
distinguished career.
Jo Russell, who collaborated with Chris on this book, is a business
journalist and profile writer. Having originally qualified as a
solicitor, Jo has been writing for leading magazines for over a
decade. She is married with two children and based in Poole. Jo is a
tennis enthusiast playing to a standard considerably lower than anyone
mentioned in this book.
