There are four Slam tennis championships, or Majors: Wimbledon, the US Open, Australian Open and French Open. The term Grand Slam means the victory in all four tournaments gained by a player or a doubles team in the same year. A Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam is four consecutive wins, but not in the same year; a Career Grand Slam is winning all four at some point of a player’s career.
There are four Slam tennis championships, or Majors: Wimbledon, the US Open, Australian Open and French Open. The term Grand Slam means the victory in all four tournaments gained by a player or a doubles team in the same year. A Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam is four consecutive wins, but not in the same year; a Career Grand Slam is winning all four at some point of a player’s career.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis competition and, without doubt, the most prestigious one. It first took place in 1877 with only twenty-two participants. Despite being a national championship, Wimbledon was always open to foreign players. Held every June and July at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Wimbledon competition is often attended by royalty and celebrities who got official invitation from the Chairman of the Club.
The first Men’s U.S. National Championship was held at the Newport Casino in 1881. But the Open Era started in 1968 when five different competitions were combined into one US Open Championships, held at the West Side Tennis Club in Queens. 96 men and 63 women were competing, and the prize money equaled $100,000. Held annually in August and September over a two week period, this is a hugely popular event with millions of fans worldwide and thousands of tickets for tennis sold each year.
The very first French tennis tournament was held in Paris in 1899. It was a poorly attended one-day national event. In 1925, the Open era started when professionals from all over the world were allowed to participate. The Rolland Garros stadium was built in 1927 as an answer to a pressing need for a site to hold the Davis Cup. The French Open men's trophy is called the Musketeers Cup, and women compete for the Suzanne Lenglen Cup.
Australian Open is the youngest of the four Grand Slams. Its history goes back to 1905 when the first competition took place on the lawns of the Warehouseman’s Cricket Club. In 1927 tennis tournament became known as Australian Championships and only in 1969 it got its official title - Australian Open. The competition moved from location to location until 1988 when the Flinders Park in Melbourne became its permanent site due to the large capacity. This is also the only venue among the tennis Grand Slam tournaments that has a retractable roof, therefore weather conditions never get on the way of the match.
The first Wimbledon final in history had an audience of two hundred people who paid a shilling apiece to watch the game; to compare, the price of open 2010 tickets goes as high as $5500. And the popularity of this sport is constantly growing.
Culture Shock: Fears and Adjustment
Though people experience culture shock in different ways, the most common feelings when moving to another country are: loneliness, frustration, extreme homesickness and feeling left out or misunderstood. The excitement of travelling gives way to anxiety as time goes on and the visitor still has trouble understanding his new surroundings. So how do we deal with the frustration and fears? How can we begin to feel comfortable in our new environment?
A Few Facts About Metabolism and Metabolic Rate
For many years, diet and exercise were considered to be only ways to lose weight. However, recent research has shown that reducing calories can cause the opposite effect. The term “metabolism” seems to be in fashion these days, as well as new methods of weight loss. Faster metabolism enables the body to burn more calories. However, there are some factors we can not control and change (like age, gender and heredity), and some factors we can.
Evolution of Wedding Traditions: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Celebrations
Weddings are a tapestry of traditions, with each thread representing a custom passed down through generations. While many of today's wedding practices are steeped in superstition and folklore, they have evolved significantly over time. The iconic white wedding dress, often associated with purity and virginity, is a relatively modern phenomenon, with its meanings and significance shifting across different eras and cultures. This article delves into the origins and transformations of wedding customs, shedding light on how historical events and cultural shifts have shaped the matrimonial ceremonies we recognize today.
