2016 USIC vs Australia

In late January, 2016, a team from the USIC traveled to Australia for several days of competitive tennis with the IC of Australia.  The trip began with a morning of tennis at the famed Kooyong Club, former home of the Australian Open and site of the upcoming Davis Cup tie between Australia and the U.S.  The grass was hard and firm and the doubles was spirited.  The tennis was followed by a splendid lunch at the Kooyong Club.  The next day, the USIC played a team from the IC of Australia on the beautiful grass of the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club.  The U.S. team fought hard but were outclassed by the skill and grass court  experience of the Aussies.  The highlight for the U.S. was the doubles victory of Geoff Cykman and Robb Bunnen in a final set tiebreaker over four time Grand Slam doubles winner Paul McNamee and his partner.  On the weekend, in addition to viewing the Australian Open semifinals and finals, the team was invited to an IC luncheon honoring Rod Laver and a Legends Lunch honoring Evonne Goolagong Cawley attended by most of the Aussie tennis greats.  The following week, the team traveled to Sydney to play another IC of Australia squad at the spectacular Royal Sydney Golf and Tennis Club.  The grass dried just in time for the USIC team to test its improving grass court talents against another team of former grand slammers.  We were joined at lunch at Royal Sydney by Ken Rosewall who regaled us with stories from his extraordinary career.  The trip was truly one for the record books.  The USIC contingent consisted of Dan and Joanne Waldman, Pat Delaney, Mike and Pam Cooke, Robb Bunnen, Geoff and Connie Cykman, Bill and Joan Dutton, Larry Sears and Carol Chandler and Andy Orban.

Photos (Via Google)