A Tennis Missionary remembers

Tennis history - 1970's to early 80's -Why it is important for today!

When I first picked up a tennis racket in 1969; players such as myself had to choose from the following for equipment, training and our needs.   Rackets which were wooden such as the Dunlop Maxply Fort ($13), Wilson Pro Staff or Tad Davis ($29) were the rackets of choice by competitive players.  A racket that was not popular but was used by Arthur Ashe to win the 1968 Wimbledon was the 'Head Competition'.  It had a slightly larger head size than a traditional racket and was a aluminum composite...becoming the forerunner of the rackets that are played with today... Clothes consisted of white cotton T-shirts or if you had the most up to date fashion all cotton white 'Jack Kramer' brand clothes from Wilson or 'Fred Perry' brand.  Shoe selection was one style, the 'Jack Purcell' brand with white canvas tops with a slick rubber sole.  Balls were all white Wilson, Spalding, Dunlop or the more expensive Slazenger brand...and for practice we used laundry buckets to hold them.

I was fortunate to play and coach during the most formative years of the game in the 70's and early 80's when tennis changed from a sport played mainly at country clubs to being enjoyed on worldwide public courts by the public - and thankfully now it is played by and for all.    For those reading this, who are all the pros on the tour and most of the coaches of these players today - read this and respect our sport and how it changed to the good it is today.  Honor those players who came before you and what they had to go through... "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." - Deuteronomy 4:9

Note: The photos on the left that match the events are what I consider the most significant to impact the game during my lifetime.

1970 -
Tie-Breakers which began in 1968 are played in the US Open and gradually introduced into all US match and tournament play to shorted matches. Various tie-breakers are tried - 13 point, 12 point and 9 point tie breakers; with the 12 point being finally adopted.  The first scoring adopted for the viewing and playing public.
*Tretorn Nylite shoe built for comfort and fashion is the first to go beyond a basic boat deck sneaker worn by tennis players of that day.  The first shoe that is built for fashion and comfort.

1971 -
*World Championship Tennis (WTC) which was formed by Oilman Lamar Hunt in the late 1960's, takes the top professional men's tennis players and forms a union.  Matches are shown once a week on American television climaxing in May with a grand final that is much watched and anticipated by the American tennis playing public.  The first men's pro playing tennis union.
*Title X Federal law is passed allowing girl's tennis and sports teams to begin and be equal in all aspects with boys teams in schools.  The first girl's school tennis teams.
*Indoor tennis buildings designed specifically for tennis begin to be build in large numbers, thus opening up tennis to the colder winter climates.
*'Stan Smith' shoes by Adidas are introduced to US bringing the first shoe designed for tennis performance to the marketplace. - The first high performance tennis shoe.


1972 -
*'Breakfast at Wimbledon' with NBC television and commentator Bud Collins with a five hour delayed broadcast is shown early in the morning in the US and becomes a much watched and anticipated US tennis event.
*Colored clothing begin to come into fashion.  Arthur Ashe and Rod Laver clothing brands which are pastel colored and use polyester materials are the forerunners of clothing for tennis today. - The first light weight and durable colored tennis clothing.
*Various colored balls come onto the market slowly replacing all white balls.  Yellow balls and then Fuchsia (reddish purple) colored balls start the trend.  The first colored balls.
*Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) is the union formed to gain rights for the men professional players.
*Ken Rosewall defeats Rod Laver in the World Championship Tennis (WCT) finals (4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6) in a thrilling fifth set tie-breaker and is watched by 50 million people on television.

1973 -

*Battle of the Sexes with Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs takes place in the AstroDome in Houston.  Tennis players and those who did not play tennis are talking about it on the street.  The most watched tennis event in history (50million+ worldwide).
*World number one tennis players Jimmy Conners and Chris Evert become engaged and are the first players to become public figures that the press uses beyond tennis.  The first players to be public figures with mass media attention.
*Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is the union formed to gain rights for the women professional players. The first women's pro playing tennis union.

1974 -
*Wilson T2000 Metal racket is used by Jimmy Conners to win three out of the four Grand Slam titles, thus bringing credibility to the public for metal rackets.  The first to bring credibility to metal rackets.
*Bjorn Borg becomes the first truly world wide celebrity in tennis and Fila the clothing brand he wears becomes acceptable casual wear for non-tennis players worldwide. - The first recognized tennis celebrity and File is the first tennis clothing to be used by non tennis players.
*Bata shoes with polyurethane soles are introduced bringing a radical new tennis shoe's bottom sole. - The first tennis shoe with specially built sole for tennis.

1975 -
Participation in the US known as the "Tennis Boom" peaks, with an estimated one in four adults in the country picking up a tennis racket.  The most tennis players ever playing in the US.

*The World Doubles Championship started in 1975 is shown on US television from Madison Square Garden in 1977 with the Championships of John McEnroe and Peter Fleming - bringing credibility and viewing pleasure to the American public.  The first full length doubles matches to be shown on national television.

1976 -
Prince introduces over-sized rackets (the Prince Woodie - made of all wood) and an Aluminum racket (Prince Classic) are introduced - with the metal racket gradually becoming the predominant in the marketplace. The first over-sized racket to be accepted by players.

 

 

1978 -

The US Open moves from Forest Hills Club to a new purpose build center for public tennis, thus taking the event from a club event to an event for the public.

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Hawaii + RandR = rest and relaxation

The Kraft family; Bob, Mia, Ashley and Joshua are now in Honolulu, Hawaii taking a much needed three week family time. Aloha - PS: Hawaii has been very important to myself and my family with a little of the history below.


1979 - I consider attending University of Hawaii, Honolulu under the GI Bill from my service in the US Army.


1985 - Helped build the mission building of Pacific and Asia Christian University as a stone mason and also rebuilt the Old Stone Church (shown) on Alii Drive in Kona, Hawaii


1986 -Attend Crossroads Discipleship School of Pacific and Asia Christian University in Kona, Hawaii.



1997 - Married to my wife - Mia in Kona, Hawaii at the Old Stone Church, Kona.




1999 - Mia Kraft takes her US Citizenship oath in Honolulu.


2000 -Tennis ministry clinic at two universities - Oahu, Hawaii.

Weekly Verse - July 21, 2008

Tournaments this week: ATP-Toronto WTA-Los Angeles, Portoroz
July 21 MONDAY:  By faith Moses...regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." - Hebrews 11:24-26
In the first half of our live we often seek for success, but in the second half we seek for significance!  That's a big difference!

TUESDAY:  Are You (Jesus) the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"  But Jesus told them to go back and tell John that the lonely, the hurting, the sick and the unloved were being touched and ministered to wherever He went. - Matthew 11:3-5
Jesus lived His life completely for others.  He found and fulfilled His purpose - what else matters?  If you're in 'the second half' of your live ask God to help you to find the place of significance, then spend the rest of your life there.

WEDNESDAY:  I (God) am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. - Genesis 28:15
If God can feed others and somebody to visit prisoners in prison, that means He cares for you also.  God cares for you!

THURSDAY:  I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life.' - I Kings 19:4
Loneliness visits each of us in different forms.    It can almost rob you of your destiny with God.

FRIDAY:  I have never seen the righteous forsaken. - Psalm 37:25
No sermon will ever convince you of God's faithfulness like the experiences of God providing.

SATURDAY:  He'll (God) never leave you nor forsake you. - Hebrew 13:5
Even when others turn their backs on you.

SUNDAY:  You know how I (Apostle Paul) lived the whole time I was with you...I served the Lord with great humility...although I was severely tested....You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you...I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.   "In every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had given me..."Keep watch over yourselves...I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard! "Now I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. - Acts 20:18-32
If you are looking for an example to follow, here it is.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: Weekly Verse - July 21, 2008)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (latest: Wimbledon Finals)

Weekly Verse - July 14, 2008

Tournaments this week: ATP-Indianapolis, Amersfoort, Kitzbühel, Umag; WTA-Stanford, Bad Gastein

July 14 MONDAY:  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother. - Matthew 19:5
Parenthood is not ownership, it's just stewardship.  Your assignment is to give them love to make them secure, God's laws to make them wise and a lifestyle to follow.  Finally, give them a chance to act on the things you've taught them.  That's the way God planned it right from the beginning.

TUESDAY:  Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do.  'I'll do the judging,' says God.  'I'll take care of it.'" - Romans 12:17-19
Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you'll be worn out by the opposition; but if God be for you, who can be against you?

WEDNESDAY:  If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise of God. -  Galatians 3:29
If we are Abraham's seed, then lets do Abraham's deeds today, and we'll walk in Abraham's blessings!

THURSDAY:  I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. - Psalm 32:5
What doesn't work is using pride to hide your sin or justify it.
 
FRIDAY:  God, I thank You that I am not like other men."  Meanwhile, the other man in whispered tones prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Jesus said, "I tell you that THIS man, rather than the other, went home justified." -  Luke 18:10-14
God wants to deal with each of us.

SATURDAY:  There was a time when I wouldn't admit what a sinner I was.  But my dishonesty made me miserable . . . until I finally admitted all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them.  I said to myself, 'I will confess them to the Lord.'  And You forgave me!  All my guilt is gone." -  Psalm 32:3-5
Take off your mask, get rid of your pretence, come humbly to God today - He's just waiting to cleanse and forgive you.

SUNDAY:  Moses said, 'I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' and ... God called unto him ..." - Exodus 3:3-4
Don't judge anybody's potential by what they are right now!  Moses almost burned himself out trying to do it His way, until God showed him a fire that was not dependent on Him.

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (latest: Weekly Verse July 14, 2008)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com (coming soon: Wimbledon Finals)

Wimledon finals

Wimbledon finals - Everyone that I meet always speaks about the great matches of the men's and women's 2008 Wimbledon singles finals that involved four players.  In fact all the men's and women's finals were played over a two day period and involved thirteen players.

Every one of the players in ALL the finals, except one player - I was in someway working with spiritually.  Each person is important to me and I care greatly for each as human beings with thoughts, desires, goals and feelings... You take a player and no matter where they are at spiritually you encourage them to grow spiritually and make available the tools to allow such growth.  The tools would include - prayer, the Word, worship music, God centered conversation and fellowship.  Over a period of years planting seeds - the work and the Word never comes back void.  [Isaiah 55:11]

Planting...

I make sure that I am at the All England Club about three hours before the start of the matches.  In this way I have time to say hello to the players, the families and coaches as I see them.  I always have a Word of spiritual encouragement for each group and can spend from ten minutes up to an hour speaking with a specific individual.  For some players that includes a prayer - such as for health, being a good example for others watching them while playing or drawing strength from a heavenly relationship.  After the matches I almost always see the players and speak to them about God and this relationship.

Saturday - Women's singles and doubles; men's doubles finals. I left the site at 10 pm with the winner of singles and we spoke about a loving God - the fellowship of Christ was sweet and pleasing for the both of us.  I held the trophy's given to two different Champions over the two days and thought to myself how many players in the world and over the history of this game since 1874; would want their name on this trophy.  I felt that while pleasant to touch the trophy - the right to have your name written on it only comes from the favor of God that lies on a specific person.  Even if that person does not acknowledge that this is a God given talent that is desired by many but accorded to few - they still retain the lifetime right to use the opportunities that it brings.  Champions, who are wise, realize that with great privileges come equally great responsibilities of acknowledging where this talent originates.  Make no mistake all Champions great and small will eventually stand before God and be called to account of how they used the talents given to them. [The Parable of the Talents and Matthew 25 14-18]

Sunday - Men's singles, mixed doubles finals.  It rained off and on during the day pushing back the matches until it was almost too dark to continue play finishing at 9:32pm local time.  The mixed doubles final was moved from centre court to court number one to start earlier and while light.  I spent quite a lot of time with finalists before the matches and I prayed with most of them and the family and discussed God.  The men's singles was really just a matter of waiting around during two rain interruptions until it was very dark and finished.  I left the site at 11:30 pm at the same time as one of the finalists and in some ways consoled the family by being around.   My feeling is that is important that a player realizes that God, which when they see in me as a reminder by being there during the highs and lows, never deserts or leave them - win or lose.  God has said, ?Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  [Hebrews 13-5; Deuteronomy 31:6]

In this small room, the men's winner family and friends were on one side and on the other side was the family and friends of the player who lost.  One side of the room - happiness and joyful sounds and the other side silence.  As the defeated left the room and for that year the tournament site - everyone stood up and clapped.  [Revelation 7:9-17]

My work was finished! [2 Timothy 4:7-8]

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (coming soon -Daily Verse July 21, 2008)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com   (Latest: Wimbledon finals)

Weekly Verse - June 23 to July 6, 2008 (Wimbledon special edition)

Wimbledon begins

June 23 MONDAY: (Wimbledon: Men - Round of 128)  Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it. - Genesis 21:18
Give your children a taste of the things of God when they're little, and when they grow up, this world will never satisfy them.

TUESDAY:  (Women's Round of 128) Along unfamiliar paths I (God) will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. - Isaiah 42:16
Don't just your children your doctrine; expose them to your faith.  Tell them Who brought you through the dark places, so that when they encounter them, they'll have more than religious rules - they'll have confidence in God for themselves.

WEDNESDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 64) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves. - Hebrews 13:17
Who speaks into your life through proven leadership?  To whom are you submitted?

THURSDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 64) A man's gift makes room for him. - Proverbs 18:16
Your gift will always meet a need for someone else.  Find your gift and develop it, for it's the key to your destiny.

FRIDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 32)  We have the mind of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 2:16
The challenge is in learning to recognize Christ's thoughts, and to trust them.

SATURDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 16) God thinks His thoughts through us when our minds are renewed. - Romans 12:2
You ask, "How do I deal with 'a stronghold that is hurting my life'?" Attack it with the Word of God in the Bible! That's what Jesus did!

SUNDAY:  For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. - 1 Corinthians 16:9
Every opportunity God gives us will bring opposition, building your faith and strengthening you.

June 30 MONDAY:  (Men - Womens Round of 16) For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of Godly men.- Psalm 1:6
You don't have to accept whatever comes into your mind: you have a choice! If your thoughts line up with the Word of God in the Bible, accept them. If they don't, reject them.

TUESDAY:  (Womens Quarterfinals)  Delight yourself  also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4
When Jesus is the center of your affections, His desires become yours.

WEDNESDAY:  (Mens Quarterfinals)  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way. - Isaiah 30:21
It's a word in your past, confirming that you're on the right track.

THURSDAY:  Womens Semifinals) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. - Colosians 3:15
God's peace will give you confididece in difficult calls.

FRIDAY:  (Mens Semifinals)  As an eagle stirs up her nest...so the Lord alone did lead him. - Deuteronomy 32:11-12
Rejoice if God is pushing you out of your comfort zone, for without it you'll never fly.

SATURDAY:  (Finals- Mixed Doubles, Woman Singles, Mens Doubles) We walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Remember, the will of God always involves - faith.

SUNDAY:  (Finals- Mens Singles, Womens Doubles)  His (Jesus) strength is made perfect in your weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
He can lift the disadvantaged higher than those who've had every advantage!

Wimbledon highlights - Day ten

A player came up to me just before she left to go the next stop on the tour and said, 'thank you for praying for me'. - Not self-centered!

A coach, whom I did not recognize, thanked me for sending he and a women player the Daily Verse and then said we use them.  The player is still in the tournament. - Totally unexpected!

A management team of six people and one player and I sat around a table and discussed faith, God and Christ late into the night. - Intense discussion!

A men's doubles team said thank you for supporting us and coming to our matches. - Simple things from nice people brings great joy!

Wonderful weather each day about 27C or 80F. - No rain!

Walking about 2-3 miles each day to and from my housing, Starbucks, the church office and the tournament. - Great exercise!

Verse: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22,23 - Each day is better than the day before!

Websites:
http://dailyverse.multiply.com (2008 Artois Championships Queens Club London - Finals)
http://www.tennisministry.org
http://bobkraft.multiply.com