Oldies take to the stage

The children's party was in full swing across the road from Fitzwilliam Tennis Club, the top of the bouncy castle visible above the garden wall. Had the youngsters been able or inclined to propel themselves high enough to peer into the tennis club, they might have wondered what all the fuss was about: just a bunch of "old men" playing tennis.

To attend the Legends of Tennis Classic at Fitzwilliam yesterday, you really had to be a child of the 1970s or 1980s, and even then a more than passing knowledge of the sport would be required to put names on some faces. However, thickening waistlines, wrinklier complexions and, in one particular case, a battle to which even Grecian 2000 would have to concede defeat, could not hide the identities of the more famous competitors.

Ilie Nastase's familiar scowl has softened to a permanent grin, Peter McNamara's lithe frame and athletic court coverage provided a reminder of halcyon days when, in partnership with Paul McNamee, he proved the scourge of the doubles circuit. Argentina's Guillermo Villas, winner of three of the four Grand Slams, retains the long tresses if not the headband.

Big-serving American Roscoe Tanner, famous for his Wimbledon singles final defeat by Bjorn Borg in 1979, boasts the same action without the velocity. Therein lies the inherent flaw with such a venture. Those who like their sport laced with genuine competition will be disappointed.

This is theatre, not sport. The most engaging "competitor" is Iranian-born Mansour Bahrami, whose comedic timing and repertoire of trick shots, honed on the senior circuit, endear him to crowds around the world. The gathering at Fitzwilliam yesterday was an amalgam of sponsors, club members, corporate clientele and the odd member of the public: about 180 people watched the tennis.

These events are designed for corporate entertainment. This was presented as a singles and doubles tournament, but only those who keep their eyes wide shut will not see through the stage-managed tennis cameos. For the record, Bahrami beat McNamara, Nastase and McNamara triumphed against Tanner and Mikael Pernfors, and Ireland's Owen Casey teamed up with Bahrami to beat Villas Ross Case. The Legends continues today and tomorrow.