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In 1874, tennis arrived in the United States via a
New York socialite’s suitcase, following her alluring
island adventure in Bermuda.
Bermuda, the archipelago
known for its pink-sand
beaches, turquoise waters, and
year-round warm weather, has
been announced as the Offi cial
Sponsor of the U.S. Open. It’s
a fi tting collaboration, given
the island’s reputation as a
destination for travellers in
search of idyllic adventures—
just a ninety-minute fl ight from
N.Y.C. Lesser known, however,
is that the long history of
American tennis was
introduced by this enchanting
Atlantic island.
Nearly a hundred and fi fty years
ago, the New York socialite
Mary Ewing Outerbridge, the
daughter of Bermudian parents,
sailed for days to vacation on
the secluded island. In the
British Army garrison there, she
watched, fascinated, as offi cers
played tennis—albeit a version
diff erent from the one we
know today. The courts in
Bermuda were shaped like
hourglasses, rather than
rectangles. The net was also
higher, and a number of the
rules were diff erent.
Mary became hypnotized
watching the ball soaring
back and forth against a
backdrop of palmetto trees
and glittering sea, and ended
up purchasing a kit containing all
the materials needed to bring the
sport home to Staten Island.
Using a hand-drawn diagram,
she laid out a court at her
brother’s cricket club, where
the sport caught on among
members. From there, the
game’s popularity quickly grew,
leading to standardized rules and
regulations—and then, in 1880, to
the fi rst U.S. tennis championship.
HOW BERMUDA
SERVED UP TENNIS
TO AMERICA
In only a few short years, Mary’s
unexpected souvenir from her
Bermuda sojourn helped set
in motion a national tradition:
today, nearly eighteen million
people in the U.S. play the
sport, from the public-tennis-
court games in many cities to
the annual U.S. Open, in N.Y.C.
Mary’s role in bringing tennis
from Bermuda to America
has earned her a place in the
International Tennis Hall of
Fame. In fact, when you visit
the museum, in Newport,
Rhode Island, a paper cutout
of her likeness greets you at
the door.
It only serves to enhance the
sport’s allure to learn that every
swing of a racket in the U.S. can
be traced back to Bermuda,
where island adventures still
await all travellers—tennis lovers
included. You’re welcome!
Plan your Bermuda trip
today at GoToBermuda.com.
