Old-timers back again to enjoy top tennis

Tom and Nonie Kiely are both former presidents of Auckland Tennis. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Some of the spectators enjoying the first day of Auckland's annual women's tennis tournament can remember when the court was grass and you had to bring your own seats.

That was more than 50 years ago.

Yesterday, sitting among about 2500 spectators, Aucklanders Tom and Nonie Kiely and - directly across the court from them - Jocelyn McKenzie of Remuera were in the stands watching the action from the same seats they have occupied for all the years since.

But this week's ASB Classic and next week's Heineken Open men's tournament will be the last time they watch matches from their spots in the stands, which will be demolished next month to make way for a new and improved tennis centre.

Mrs McKenzie said she had been coming to watch tennis at the site on the outskirts of the Auckland Domain for more than five decades - a tradition that began when her mother took her to a tournament well before the ASB Classic began 25 years ago and before the current stadium was built in the 1980s.

She's opted for the same spot for the entire time - even before there was something to sit on.

"I first started coming when it was grass courts," she said. "We had to bring our own seats."

Mrs McKenzie was too shy to reveal her age (at a previous tournament, she told sports broadcaster Murray Deaker on air that it was "none of his business") but said she had stopped playing the game herself only when she turned 80.

"It was hard giving up a game that you really love, but you want to go while you can still play."

And although she will be attending the next two weeks of matches alone, she said the social side of the sport was another of its attractions.

Several people stopped to say hello or called out and waved while she was speaking to the Herald.

The Kielys - in-laws of athlete-turned-TV presenter Jayne Kiely - have been captured by the same camaraderie.

"We're here every year," Mr Kiely said. "You meet so many of the players and overseas officials and representatives."

The pair, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in September, are both past presidents of Auckland Tennis and have been courtside for almost as many decades.

Mr Kiely, 85, said he began playing tennis in the 1930s, when he was a schoolboy.

He moved on to administration, acting as a tournament director for about a decade.

The Kielys have been to countless matches - they've been to the Wimbledon tournament in England 15 times, the French Open at Roland Garros France, the Australian Open in Melbourne and the US Open in New York.

But, Mr Kiely said, "there is nothing like these two events that are played here in Auckland".

"They are ranked highly internationally as the friendliest tournaments in the world."