Time traveling back to the Irish Open with Hall of Famer Rosie Casals

Rain is on the daily order of play, as a low-pressure system in the area forces tennis players to bundle up and wait for windows of opportunity to get their matches in. Grass courts remain slick, needing extra time to dry in the chilly temperatures. Watching cricket on a television with a limited channel selection is a popular choice to keep occupied inside the quaint hotel.

It’s 1968 and Rosie Casals is having tea with her competitors. Casals is not dining in the Wimbledon village, for the 19-year-old has just arrived from the All England Club, where she hoisted her second consecutive Wimbledon doubles trophy with fellow Californian Billie Jean King. Casals has traveled to visit Great Britain’s neighbor to play Dublin's Irish Open, the site of King's first international triumph in 1963. King, now one of her sport's most prolific names, is just one of many renowned champions—from Maureen Connolly to Rod Laver—that Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club has welcomed through its doors.

“It was always a nice occasion because they would get a lot of Wimbledon champions, so it was prestigious for Dublin. Many players have gone and played there throughout the years,” Casals told Tennis.com. “It was a cold, wet week of tennis, but the grass was in great shape. They took great care to keep the courts in wonderful condition.”

In this age, everything is minimal. Record-breaking pay days aren’t up for grabs. Players aren’t budgeting to bring a team of coaches and trainers on the road. Personal space is a luxury, for close quarters is the reality of every locker room. Yet, the courteous crowds, prestige of playing at a venue steeped in history, and allure of visiting an unfamiliar setting are enough to keep Casals motivated. Playing with Ann Jones, the rising American tastes victory once again, posting a straight-sets victory over Margaret Court and Patty Hogan.

“The people that came were real tennis fans, following Wimbledon and supporting locally. In a way you were a big deal in a little place,” said Casals. “I had never been to Ireland, so it was fun getting a little glimpse of the Irish people and their traditions.”

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day but in Ireland, a holiday observance is never required for a round of beer. There’s always a reason to toast, and with more than enough to justify a celebration, Casals takes the opportunity to embrace the local culture and share her victory with Dublin’s finest.

“The people were very nice, drank a lot and enjoyed the pubs. We did that a little bit,” Casals admitted. “They were very warm and accepting.”

Fifty-two years later, the International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee is keeping warm in the Coachella Valley. There won't be a visit to the local bar today, as measures are taken to slow the spreading of the coronavirus, but Casals hopes for an ever richer experience down the road. Other than making a flight connection, she hasn’t been back to the Emerald Isle since her playing days, and is eager to raise a glass or two. There's just one stipulation: “I’ve got to have the sun shining!”