Category Archives: Friends and family

The New Zealand Herald spotted some famous old timers that we recognised at the tennis recently.  The Kielys – Louise’s parents have been often seen at Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US and Australian Opens.

Kiely veterans at the tennis

“We’re here every year,” Mr Kiely said. “You meet so many of the players and overseas officials and representatives.”

The pair, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in September, are both past presidents of Auckland Tennis and have been courtside for almost as many decades.

Mr Kiely, 85, said he began playing tennis in the 1930s, when he was a schoolboy.

He moved on to administration, acting as a tournament director for about a decade.

The Kielys have been to countless matches – they’ve been to the Wimbledon tournament in England 15 times, the French Open at Roland Garros France, the Australian Open in Melbourne and the US Open in New York.

But, Mr Kiely said, “there is nothing like these two events that are played here in Auckland”.

“They are ranked highly internationally as the friendliest tournaments in the world.”