Tennis Autographs
Obtaining autographs from world
tennis stars is a popular past-time for people of all ages.
Our team have been meeting the players and obtaining autographs for many years. All autographs contained within these
pages are 100% genuine as we obtained them directly from the tennis players themselves.
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Click ATP or WTA to view our massive gallery
of Men's and Women's tennis autographs.
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Here is our guide on how best to obtain autographs from your favourite tennis stars...
Where to meet a star tennis player
If you're in the UK, Wimbledon is naturally top of the bill because virtually all the stars are there, apart from those
injured or clay court specialists who haven't mastered grass courts. Wimbledon is very busy though, so
you'll have your work cut-out competing for autographs with thousands of other people. The pre-Wimbledon
tournaments such as Queen's Club and Eastbourne attract many quality players, and as they are far smaller
tournaments you have a much greater chance of asking players for autographs as they walk around the grounds.
Wimbledon
Yes, we're focussing on the big one because, let's face it, this is the only tennis tournament most
people in the UK have ever heard of and are most likely to go to! Believe it or not but you are highly likely
to meet some tennis players as they walk to the AELTC along Wimbledon Park Road and Church Road! We've bumped
into Marat Safin, Jiri Novak, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, and more.
Ok, so you're in the grounds, where should you go? Well, there's the Autograph booth which stages
autograph and photo sessions with various players at various times. If a top player is going to be there
make sure you get there very early as the booth isn't open for long!
There is also the Orangi practice courts where you can often catch players as they go to and from their
practice sessions, but be prepared to wait around for a while because they can appear at any time. If you speak
politely to security they may let you know (if they know) who is expected on the practice courts later that day.
With so many matches being played during the two weeks of Wimbledon, most players will be scheduled to play
on the outside courts. Just look at the schedule-of-play for the day you are
there and make sure you're in the vicinity while your tennis star is going to/from the court. You will see
so many of them just walking around anyway that it's just untrue; Mark Philippoussis, Arnaud Clement,
Younes El Aynaoui, to name but a few. Watch out for players wearing non-tennis gear because you'll hardly recognise
them! Jelena Dokic walked straight passed me and the crew in 2003 and we had to double take to make sure it was her.
Approaching a tennis star
Remember, although we basically pay their wages, a tennis player is doing you a favour by signing
autographs, so be respectful. Ask politely if they would mind giving you an autograph, and even compliment them.
If a lot of people are asking for an autograph from one player, then don't push. I've seen
tennis players refuse to give an autograph to impolite people (too right!) while signing others.
If a group of people are asking for autograghs, don't shout "who's that?"
if you don't recognise them, and please don't ask a player "who are you?".
I've heard this time and time again and I don't think it's very respectful to the players.
If you're unsure who a player is but want their autograph just in case, then get their autograph and find out
who it was when they are out of ear-shot. Chances are you'll hear at least a few people calling them by their
first name during all this anyway. Or... Do your DD (Due Diligence),
as the well known stock trading saying goes. In other words, do your own tennis player research
before the tournament so you become familiar with more players.
Happy autograph collecting!