Easy Way to Join : On a Sunny Day 54 Years Ago, Vines Became a Member of All England Club

On a balmy day in 1932, Ellsworth Vines became in 40 minutes what hundreds of people wait decades to become--a member of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

Nowadays, winning the gentleman’s singles title at Wimbledon may be the easiest way to gain membership to the club. There are currently only 375 members, and club officials have stopped counting the number on the waiting list. It is said that those near the top of the list have waited as long as 20 years to be considered for membership.

Vines said he was delighted to win Wimbledon and receive his membership, but not all players have felt so honored. After a stormy fortnight leading to his title in 1981, John McEnroe declined the offer. Club officials were miffed but let it be known that they really hadn’t cared for McEnroe’s ruffian manners, anyway. McEnroe did accept the membership the next year, however, thus ensuring the maintainence of that precious Wimbledon commodity--tradition.

“I think it’s just the greatest tournament held throughout the years,” said Vines, 74, a resident of Palm Desert. “The tradition--if you want to call it, hoopla--it’s great. I think the majority of the tennis people recognize Wimbledon as the greatest. It’s an accomplishment that means something.”

In 1932, Wimbledon more than anything, meant logistics. To get to the tournament, Vines took a train from his home in Pasadena to New York. The trip took four days. From there it was five days by boat to the coast of England. Then a boat-train ride to London.

“It was pretty unexciting,” Vines said of his first trip outside the United States. “On the boat, I was mainly around the Americans. We just ate and slept. In London, I didn’t do anything. We stayed at the Savoy Hotel, which was nice. The people in London were interested in us. People knew who we were because we had our pictures in the paper.”

Vines was able to win Wimbledon with his nerves, or lack of them. Vines recalls that he was “Oh, maybe the second, third or fourth seed,” and that there were few upsets in the early rounds. Quite often, players at their first Wimbledon are so awed by the majesty of the event that they forget to stop staring and start playing. Vines simply forgot to be nervous.

“I’m pretty phlegmatic,” he said. “I’m not a nervous person. I try to stay calm.”

What about the huge crowds at Centre Court and the presence of members of the Royal Family?

“I played on Centre Court just once before I got to the final,” Vines said. “A tennis court is a tennis court. All the lines are the same, and so is the grass. I had played in front of 15,000 to 18,000 at Forest Hills (which he won in 1931 and 1932) before I had ever got to Wimbledon. I was used to crowds.”

By all accounts, Vines overpowered the field that year. A flat, powerful serve and a slashing forehand were the foundation of his game--both attributes well-suited to grass. Vines doesn’t remember losing many sets during the tournament. He crushed Henry Wilfred (Bunny) Austin of Great Britain in the final in only 40 minutes, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.

“As far as I was concerned, I breezed through,” he said. “It was probably the shortest match they’ve ever had there. I remember it was a very sunny day. The court was fast. That was good for me. It was just one of those days when I couldn’t miss.

“Everyone there is so nice. The officials there are all dedicated to the tradition of Wimbledon. When you come out of the locker room, they put you in a room. Out on the court, you can hear the introductions and the applause. You come out and bow to whomever is in the Royal Box. It’s very impressive.”

In 1933, his final year as an amateur, Vines lost to Australian Jack Crawford in the Wimbledon final. In 1934, he turned professional and played tennis as a pro until 1939, when he turned to golf. Of all his accomplishments in tennis, Vines said his Wimbledon win elicits the most interest.

“It’s a great feeling winning the championships in your own country,” he said. “But Wimbledon is top rank. When you can go to another country and play well under their conditions and with their courts and linesmen, well, you’ve done something other than (just) win.

“I was really thrilled to win Wimbledon. Wimbledon came easy for me. But I’m happy to be part of the tradition. I don’t think the public can know what Wimbledon is really about. I think the top players know. It’s special.”