NORTHUMBERLAND, U.K. – The Saint Mary's tennis teams officially wrapped up their quadrennial European tour last week. The student-athletes competed against the Alnwick Tennis Club, enjoyed the French Open, experienced sights, and most importantly enjoyed the company. 

The Alnwick Tennis Club welcomed head coach Jeff Halberg and the Cardinals to some elite match ups on their nationwide tour of the UK which also included matches against teams from Oxford and York Universities, as well as a visit to Wimbledon.

Visiting and playing at the Prudhoe Street courts in Alnwick has become a long-standing tradition, with Halberg having a relationship with the club for the past 40 years. He first came to the club as a student staying at Alnwick Castle, and has subsequently returned most years since, firstly as a student and then as head tennis coach for the Cardinals.

Junior and senior members from the Alnwick club also welcomed players from Wooler Tennis Club and Northumbria University. Halberg and his student-athletes carried out two tennis clinics, beginning with basic ball and racquet skills and progressing onto some competitive play at the end of each session. 

Afterwards, a social and barbecue took place before Alnwick's visitors left to fly from Manchester to Paris to attend Roland Garros and watch some of the first-round matches in this year's French Open.

It was a trip to remember.