By David Graham

It is not often you meet up with a tennis player who has a family connection with greatness.

That's the case with Julia Szulerowski.

Julia and Ralph lived and worked in Boston and later Dallas Texas.

The Szulerowskis returned to Australia in 2007 and later made their home in Kiama.

After retiring in 2015 the pair joined the Kiama Tennis Club and started playing social tennis at the Blowhole courts.

Julia's great grandfather was William Cecil Marshall, who was an amateur tennis player who reached the first Wimbledon Men's singles final in 1877.

He was an architect designing private houses and many university buildings in Cambridge, England as well as a university building in Dublin.

William went on to design tennis courts in Cambridge and London.

The first Wimbledon had a field of 22 players.

A small crowd of about 20 dressed formally, paid one shilling to watch the match standing as there were no seats.

A far cry from the modern-day Wimbledon. Marshall was a defensive player and was no match against the aggression of Spencer Gore, who won the match 6-1 6-2 6-4 in 48 minutes.

Julia believes that funds raised from the match were put towards a much-needed grasscourt heavy roller.

William was also an amateur artist, naturalist and keen ice skater.

Whilst Ralph did start playing a little tennis back in his high school days at Wollongong High School, he really took the game on after joining the Kiama Tennis Club in 2020.

Julia and Ralph began social tennis, finding it was a great way to exercise during the Covid pandemic.

Ralph won the KTC B Grade mixed doubles in 2023 and 2024 with Helga Pimm, and has had a number of successes at the Kiama Vets and Legends tournament held each November.

Julia continues to enjoy her tennis, playing social matches each Tuesday and Thursday, as well as competing in triathlons and walking.