At 6pm on the evening of 9 October, the Edinburgh University Lawn Tennis Club (EULTC) gathered in the meadows for 24 hours of a non-stop tennis tournament, the goal being to have constant games of tennis all the way up to 6pm on Saturday.
The night was fiercely cold with a biting wind. I was not envious of those brave enough to bear the elements in their sports kit, yet this did not at all stop the excellent atmosphere amongst the players and supporters. Friday was the perfect day for it. From 12 to 3am, the tournament had a fresh surge of players from those coming back from a night out, which would have certainly given rise to a fresh boost of morale with their Dutch courage. Tickets for the event allowed access for the full 24 hours, so players could come and go as they pleased, and membership to the society was not a requirement.
With rackets provided, players brought along their flatmates and friends. Because of this, it was lovely to see every level of player taking part, from beginner to BUCS level. The event had an inclusive, social, and friendly vibe with music blaring. Nevertheless, between 5 and 8am was the time where the real grit had to come through: the adrenaline had worn off for the first players and arrivals from the clubs, pubs, and the last wave of cavalry had dwindled.
However, watching the lovely sunrise over the Meadows must have been so gratifying for the committed players. This was a charity event, and all proceeds made were in support of ‘Breast Cancer Now’. In previous years, charities supported local homelessness. Last year, the society raised over £600 for charities supporting those with breast cancer, and this year, have high hopes of smashing their record. In previous years, some legendary players have been known to play for the full 24 hours, although no one broke that record this year. If you are reading this with a taste for tennis and stamina, then next year, you should absolutely sign up to support a wonderful cause. If you want to have fun, practice your tennis skills, and make a real difference to people in our community, this is for you.
Photo by Andrew Heald on Unsplash under the Unsplash license.
