Olde Providence Racquet Club is rich in tennis history. A multitude of tennis legends and greats of the sport have competed on the club's very grounds. From 1970-2000, Julian J. Clark Stadium stood on its pristine landscape. The stadium hosted everything from Davis Cup to Team Tennis. On these very grounds legends such as Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, and Rod Laver competed in top-level events of their era. In fact, Stockton Cup's namesake Dick Stockton was a runner-up in the 1974 Carolinas International Tennis Tournament played here. Winners of this prestigious tournament that was played in the 1970's included Ashe, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe (in doubles), and Tony Roche.
Julian J. Clark Stadium in 1977
Perhaps the narrative on an S C Rickett print describes it best:
"Located at the beautiful Olde Providence Racquet Club in Charlotte, North Carolina... for years, the picturesque setting of one of the nation's finest spectator facilities... site of Davis Cup ties, professional tournaments, exhibitions, and World Team Tennis... where the giants of the game battled and competed... legends such as Laver, Evert, Borg, King, Ashe, Austin, Connors, Navratilova, Rosewall, Court, Smith, Nastase, Newcombe, Goolagong, Agassi, Sampras, Chang and Courier... where special memories abound for Karl Coombes and the Champion Heat... for John Sadri, 1978 NCAA finalist and former ATP #14 in the world, for NCAA All-American Pete Ayers, and for the passion determination of "Dr. Dirt" Tim Wilkison, the 1986 US Open quarterfinalist, 1998 Senior Tour Masters Champion, and 35's Wimbledon and U.S. Open's doubles champion... Julian J. Clark Stadium, a true part of tennis history."
Stockton Cup is grateful to Olde Providence Racquet Club for allowing us to invite an impressive group of new talent onto its historic grounds.
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