About the IC

January 2017
The IC Story

The IC Story

It was after the First World War when there was a sudden surge of interest and success from overseas competitors at Wimbledon that the idea of an International Club was born. 

Arthur Wallis Myers, a keen tennis and golf player, and Dwight Davis, the donor of the Davis Cup were discussing the need to restore faith in the value of international friendships. Myers, who was then also influenced by the former Prime Minister, Lord Balfour, wanted to establish some way of nurturing and preserving the camaraderie that existed between young competitors of so many countries who met in serious but friendly rivalry at tournaments around the world each year. 

Accordingly, on the 26th of November 1924 at the Royal Automobile Club, Myers explained his ideas to an attentive gathering of tennis players. ‘We are seeking to cement the ties that bind us to all international players, to exchange greetings with them from time to time, to offer them hospitality when they come in our midst. Hands across the net, in fact, means hands across the ocean.’ And so the IC was formed. Its purpose was of social and non-political nature and was to bring together a society of players who have toured in and been educated by overseas countries. 

As it still stands today, it was considered a great honour to be invited to wear the distinctive grey tie with the single pink stripe, and not every player who participated abroad automatically became a member. 
Consequently, the first overseas nation to form an International Club was France in 1929 and then followed by the Americans a year later. Fittingly, their ties were of two and three pink stripes respectively.  

The IC Council was then established in 1947 to approve the formation of new ICs and to protect and foster the ideals of existing ICs. 

Today there are 42 ICs of the world with over 4,500 members worldwide and 13 philanthropy projects being sustained. Most importantly, the original concept of Wallis Myers still stands today as players of all nations compete with the highest standard of sportsmanship and come together afterwards in social union, signifying the IC spirit of ‘hands across the net, friendship across the ocean’. 

 

 

IC Timeline

WA. Wallis Myers, supported by Lord Balfour, the service British Prime Minister, and Dwight David, donor of the Davis Cup, founds the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain in a meeting at the RAC Club in London.  The IC’s post-war purpose was to cement the ties that bind all international players: “hands across the net, in fact, means hands across the ocean.” The IC’s colours are pink and grey.

 IC of France becomes the second IC, adding a second pink stripe to the IC of GB’s grey tie.

IC of the USA becomes the third IC, adding a third pink stripe

At the start of the Second World War there are six ICs. The three new ones are: The Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and Sweden.  More stripes on the tie. Czechoslovakia has already succumbed to the political pressures of the pre-war period and is in suspense, a state of affairs that lasts until after the end of the Cold War. 

The IC resumes its activities after the Second World War: the ICs meet in Paris.

The Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs (IC Council) is formed in London to approve the formation of new ICs and protect and foster the ideals of the IC.  Representatives of all ICs will meet once year during Wimbledon.

The IC of The Netherlands hosts a “festival of tennis” the first of many IC Weeks. It inaugurates the Windmill Trophy.

The Seal of the IC, with its view of the tennis court and the world, is adopted. Benvolentia (Goodwill), Virtus (Valour), Amicitia (Friendship), and victory through Aequitas (Sportsmanship) is its motto.

There are now 14 ICs: Belgium, Argentina, Denmark, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand and Italy have added their pink stripes.

The Potter Cup, a veterans’ competition for men, is established, playing first in Biarritz before moving to Barcelona.

The Orsini Trophy is established as an IC Council's men’s consolation event in IC Weeks.

There are now 20 ICs: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico, Japan and Monaco have joined.

7 new ICs are formed in the 80s making 27 in all: Monaco, Uruguay, Luxembourg, Brazil, Pakistan, Israel and The Bahamas

Ladies became eligible for ordinary playing membership of the IC in 1988; and in 1989 the IC of GB becomes the first to elect women members: Winnie Wooldridge and France Taylor.

Juniors become eligible for junior associate membership of the IC.

The Columbus Trophy for senior veterans’ men (Over-55 and Over-65) is established as an IC Council Event.

The Mercelis Trophy for women is established as an IC Council event during IC Weeks.

6 new ICs are formed in the 90s making 33 in all: Hong Kong, Hungary, Austria, Norway, Ireland and Russia Stefan Edberg is the first winner of the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Week on grass at the All England Club Wimbledon celebrates the IC of GB's 75th Anniversary. Winnie Wooldridge Trophy is established as the IC Council's women’s consolation event in IC Weeks.

Chris Evert wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Todd Martin wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Maria Bueno wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

The IC Junior Challenge, a team event for 16 and under boys and girls, is established. The Compass Group are major donors.

Pat Rafter wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Lacoste, long-time supporters of the IC of France, become donors to the IC Council.

HSBC support the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Banque de Luxembourg become donors to the IC Council and support the IC’s first philanthropy project for under-privileged children in Burundi.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Sydney.

Gabriela Sabatini runs the first philanthropy clinic for under-privileged children at the IC Junior Challenge regional event in Argentina.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Auckland.

IC Council founds IC Philanthropy (ICP) to help under-privileged children through tennis.

Kim Clijsters wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in New Delhi.

ICP forms a partnership with “Give it Your Max” to run The Tennis Ball which funds ICP projects.

Gustavo Kuerten wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Matts Wilander wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Adelaide.

Roger Federer wins the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award. CQS supports the IC of the Czech Republic’s June 4-Nations Event in Prague and becomes a major donor to the IC Council giving its name to the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held on the grass at Wimbledon.

Steffi Graff wins the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award.

Rod Laver wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship CQS Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

Gabriela Sabatini wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship CQS Award.

First Ladies Potter Cup event, named the Two Presidents' Cup.

IC of Japan hosts IC Junior Challenge World Finals in Tokyo and celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The Fundação Lemann and Palantir Technologies take over from The Compass Group as the ICJC’s major donors.

9 new ICs are formed in the second millennium making 42 ICs in all: Barbados, Bulgaria, Bermuda, Finland, Romania, Singapore, Chile and Croatia.

The IC has 4,500 members worldwide.

ICP is sustaining 13 international projects.

Rod Laver gives his name to the IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals.

IC Week in Le Touquet celebrates IC of France's 90th Anniversary.

The coronavirus forces the cancellation of many IC events and postpones the award of the 2019 IC Jean Borotra CQS Award to Rafael Nadal. The IC Council introduces videoconferencing for its meetings.