Women off the sidelines in time-honoured tennis tour

### Women Join Time-Honoured Tennis Tour: A New Chapter for the Prentice Cup For the first time in its 85-year history, the biennial Prentice Cup, the world's oldest international, inter-collegiate amateur tennis competition, is including a full women's tour. Traditionally a male-only event, the Prentice Cup has seen a significant milestone this year with the introduction of the Seabright Cup, a women's version of the original competition. #### Historical Context and New Inclusion The Prentice Cup was inaugurated in 1921 and has since been a prestigious event, alternating between the All-England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England, and the Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club in New Jersey, USA. Despite its long-standing tradition, the event has been exclusive to male participants until now. This year marks a historic shift as women are not only included but are also embarking on a structured tour leading up to the main event. #### Key Events and Participants The women's tour began this year and will culminate in the Seabright Cup, a competition that will see the Cambridge/Oxford women's team face off against the Harvard/Yale women's team. Amani Khalifa, a 22-year-old law graduate from Downing College, Cambridge, will lead the British women's team at the All-England Club on 10 August. Khalifa is enthusiastic about the opportunity, noting that the previous women's match, held as an experiment in the US two years ago, lacked the structured tour that is now in place. #### Recent Performance and Outlook In recent years, the American teams have dominated the Prentice Cup, winning on their home soil in 2004 and at Wimbledon in 2002. Conversely, the Cambridge/Oxford teams have not secured a victory on British soil since 1970, although they managed to triumph in the United States in 1996 and 2000. Tony Billington, the Chairman of the event's British Committee, is optimistic about the British team's chances this year, highlighting the strength of both the men's and women's teams. #### Tour Structure and Preparation The Prentice Cup involves a six-week tour where the visiting teams travel around the host nation, playing various local teams to build up to the main event. This structured tour is designed to ensure that the teams are well-prepared and acclimatized to the conditions. The inclusion of a women's tour alongside the men's adds a new dimension to the event, fostering a more inclusive and competitive atmosphere. #### Organizers' Hopes Organizers of the event are hopeful that the new women's tour will enhance the overall experience and potentially improve the performance of the Cambridge/Oxford teams. Billington emphasizes that the British teams, both male and female, are well-coached and prepared to give a strong fight. However, he also acknowledges the formidable strength of the American teams, particularly in the women's category. #### Conclusion The introduction of the women's tour to the Prentice Cup is a significant step towards gender equality in one of the world's oldest and most prestigious tennis competitions. With the event set to take place from 10 to 12 August, the British and American teams are gearing up for a thrilling showdown. The participation of women in this historic event not only adds a new layer of competition but also marks a crucial moment in the evolution of amateur tennis, celebrating the talent and dedication of female athletes on an international stage.