A group of men thought about going for everything and carried out their dream, the same one that thousands had in the first half of the last century and that defined a way of enjoying life with sport as a reason for encounter. Influenced by the English who administered the railway, This handful of enthusiasts set themselves a goal: to have their own club. However, the intention is that it was not a traditional one in which several disciplines were practiced; They only wanted tennis to be the star and reason for the call. Thus, in 1927, the Sport Social Club was born, in the then town of Palermo, adjacent to Villa María.
Surely, a priori, that incipient community of amateurs who loved “white sport” did not imagine the dimension that this institution was going to have after 97 years. Over time, the property added 14 courtswith the particularity that the central court has the same measures as that of the Paris Open, Roland Garros; He sees that dozens of players cross the sliding entrance gate every day; and became host, these days, of the AAT Challenger Santander Villa María Edition.
On president, David Sigifredohe is proud every time he talks about his beloved Sport Social Club and this opportunity, to chat with Infobaewas no exception: “This club has a tennis tradition. It is exclusive to tennis, it is rare to find another one like it, where only this sport is practiced. That has given us a profile to venture into the minor categories. Since its inception, the authorities of this institution never stopped thinking about the same thing, the development of minors. We bet on that; “We have our own Academy, which is commanded by Carlos Ronco.”
“We have our own slogan: Capture the kids, teach them to play tennis and, when they are ready for the professional demands, they grab their wings and fly away.“added Sigifredo in the same sense.
Within the tournament calendar of the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT), of the South American Tennis Confederation (COSAT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Sport Social Club is notable in the junior field for the organization of local and international competitions.
In this regard, the head of the club stated: “One of the most recognized tournaments played in this club is the National Under-10. These days I was chatting with Leo Mayer -Argentine former tennis player who became 21st in the world- who reminded me that the first time he came to the club was to a National competition. He remembered the club’s facilities very well and saw how it is now more expanded. He has very fond memories of the institution. Also, other participants come to mind: Tomás Etcheverry, David Nalbandian, Guillermo Coria, Facundo Díaz Acosta, Francisco and Juan Manuel Cerúndoloamong many more.”
Many of the protagonists of this week of AAT Challenger Santander They also passed through the property in the Palermo neighborhood of Villa María as children. “This was my first U-10, when I came to play in teams. The truth is, this club is beautiful. Every time I come, it makes me feel good; It fills me up and makes me very happy to play here again.“, he expressed Lautaro Midónwho passed qualifying this Tuesday and entered the main draw.
Alex Barrenawho did not pass the classification, recalled: “I came to the club about ten times, I know it very well. My first ITF points were here; They were very nice stages”.
Besides, Valerio Aboainanother of the young professionals who did not manage to enter among the 32 in the main draw, has very much in mind his time at the entity in the midst of its formation stage. “The first time I came was when I was 10, to play in a team match. Then I started coming here and came back in juniors. I came more than six times, I know the club very well. It makes me very happy that they are doing the challenger; the truth is that it is incredible”he recalled.
The closing of the talk with President Sigifredo was a reflection of the beginning of it. He is proud and describes, with his chest puffed out, what his beloved Sport Social Club became: “We have a property of 20,000 square meters, which is equivalent to two blocks. We have 14 clay tennis courts, illuminated with LED technology. They are all in equal conditions, excellent. We also have changing rooms, a semi-Olympic and recreation pool; in addition to accommodation for 150 people, living rooms and barbecue areas.”
