We’re celebrating our 25% free SMS credit offer* by looking back 25 years and rediscovering amazing sporting moments in 1990. In a series of 3 blogs throughout this month, we’ll bring you a mix of the iconic, the downright surprising and emotional moments during what was an amazing year of sport.
With less than two weeks until Wimbledon 2015 officially begins (June 29th), we’ve delved back in history – it turns out that 1990 was a very special year for one of the most iconic sporting tennis stars of the 20th Century. At this years Wimbledon, it will be 25 years since Martina Navratilova, the Czech born U.S based player, scooped the Wimbledon ladies singles title. It turned out to be the last of her amazing 18 grand slam single titles (to go with her 31 major doubles titles – which is still a record!).
Dubbed by tennis historian and journalist Bud Collins as “arguably the greatest tennis player of all time”, Navratilova has also been hailed by former number one champion Billie Jean King, former “the greatest singles, double and mixed player who has ever lived”. Keen tennis fans will know the names of the all time greats such as King, Navratilova, Graff and even now Serena Williams, but do you know the name of the original Ladies Singles Champion, the first lady of Wimbledon – Maud Watson? No?
Maud Watson (MBE) from Harrow-London, was the first Ladies Wimbledon Champion who won the title 131 years ago in 1884. Maud began playing competitive tennis in 1881 the year the ladies open events were introduced in England. Back then she played in a white corset and petticoat against thirteen competitors and even defeated her older sister Lilian.
Arguably the oldest tennis tournament in the world, the tournament was first played in 1877 in its London namesake and borough; Wimbledon. Back then it was only men that were permitted to play, won by Spencer Gore in front of only 200 spectators who paid a shilling to watch the final. Given that in 2014 the four tennis Grand Slams generated an estimated revenue of $268m* (Sports Sponsorship Insider ) through sponsorship and ticket entry prices, it’s unlikely the organisers of the 1877 matches would have foreseen the sustainability and success of Wimbledon as an industry in its own right.
We work with a range of sports clubs across football, rugby and cricket, by utilising our multi-channel communication platforms we are able to assist with season ticket renewals, routing customers to ticket offices, generating awareness of key fixtures, key player or manager voice blasts to fans, kit launch promotions, off season events (such as stadiums, gigs and shows) and stewarding and security messages.
With an expected 38,500 spectators for Wimbledon 2015 (Wimbledon official website), over 42 acres of the club’s car park and courts, it’s likely to be another iconic year for tennis fans and could well be a stellar event for your business, take advantage of our 25% free SMS offer and give us a call today – 0845 356 5758.
*25% free SMS credits for any bundle purchased and sent before the end of June 2015 with no minimum purchase.
