As was reported in the June edition of Our Family Newsletter, former USTA, USTA Southern and USTA South Carolina President Lucy Garvin celebrated the induction of South Carolina’s Dennis Van der Meer into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 17.
Lucy’s seven-minute speech was telecast on the Tennis Channel. She recognized his wife, Pat, and many family members and friends in attendance.
Here is a brief selection of her remarks.
“Dennis would be so proud to be in your company, those who are being inducted this weekend. Dennis dedicated his life to serving tennis. His love of the sport was apparent in everything he did, every day. Dennis recognized how important it was to ensure tennis was accessible to all ages, all genders and all economic backgrounds. His love for people was very obvious and people loved Dennis. He was master of engaging everyone, be it an aspiring young teaching pro or an individual taking a lesson in one of his clinics, as well as coaching a player at the highest level of their game.”
Later in the speech, she said, “Dennis recognized the need to have qualified teaching professionals ready to give proper lessons and clinics. He believed there should be a common approach to teaching tennis. And, with so many ideas that Dennis had, he also found a solution. In this case he developed the teach method and established the internationally acclaimed Tennis University Course.”
Lucy cited Dennis’ coaching of Billie Jean King and Margaret Court Smith in their “Battle of the Sexes” matches, which helped propel the tennis boom of the 1980s. She also lauded the Original Nine, the first WTA players who were inducted as a group. “Surely, I would not be standing here as a Past President of the USTA were it not for what you all have done over the years.” Dennis was inducted into the SOUTHERN TENNIS HALL OF FAME IN 1998.
