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This ’70s Tennis Tournament Was One of the Most Stylish Sporting Events in History

Samantha Franco
Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images and Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images and Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images

The 1970s were witness to a unique and stylish annual event that brought celebrities from all over to come together and benefit a charitable cause. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Tennis Tournament was held in New York every year and hosted an eclectic mix of celebrities, politicians, and professional athletes who stylishly served and smashed their way through matches.

What were the RFK tournaments?

Portrait of Robert F. Kennedy with his arms crossed.
Posed portrait American politician and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (1925 – 1968), circa 1963. (Photo Credit: PhotoQuest / Getty Images)

The annual Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Tennis Tournament began at the West Side Tennis Club and carried on throughout the ’70s. It was a celebrity pro-am tournament that saw stars paired with professional male and female players in several tennis matches. Plenty of big Hollywood celebs made appearances at the event over the years.

Arthur Ashe, Dave DeBusschere, Ethel Kennedy, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Gorman standing side by side and posing for a photo.
Arthur Ashe, Dave DeBusschere, Ethel Kennedy, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Gorman attends a promotional event on Park Avenue for the RFK Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament circa 1974 in New York City. (Photo Credit: PL Gould / IMAGES / Getty Images)
Jackie Kennedy smiling with Ted Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.
Jackie Onassis, Ted Kennedy, and Ethel Kennedy during RFK Pro Celebrity Tennis Tournament on August 23, 1975 at Forest Hills Stadium in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

The purpose of the tournament was to raise money for RFK charity programs through entry costs. Both players and observers were charged, with celebrity entry costing $2,500 (over $10,000 by today’s standard) and observer entry costing anywhere between $5 and $100 (up to $480 by today’s standard).

Several Kennedys were present every year

Two men standing on a tennis court holding tennis rackets.
Ted Kennedy and Walter Mondale during 6th Annual RFK Tennis Tournament at Forest Hills. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)
Maria Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver posing together for a photo beside a bush.
Maria Shriver is with her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver attending RFK Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament on August 21, 1981, at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ron Galella /Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

As could be expected, a considerable number of Kennedy family members opened their schedules every year to attend the memorial for their late kin. Brothers and sisters of Robert, as well as nieces and nephews, gathered in the stands and laced up their tennis shoes to watch and to play as both celebrities and professionals rallied back and forth on the court.

Maria Shriver, Caroline Kennedy, Meg Azzoni, and John F. Kennedy Jr. sitting side by side
(L-R) Maria Shriver, Caroline Kennedy, Meg Azzoni, and John F. Kennedy Jr. sitting in the stands at the RFK Tennis Tournament, circa 1977. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Jackie Kennedy sitting with Peter Hamill at a dining table.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Peter Hamill during the 6th Annual RFK Tennis Tournament Party at Rainbow Room. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

Some notable members of the Kennedy clan that attended the event included Ethel, Ted, and Eunice Kennedy. Often spotted together while watching the tennis matches were John F. Kennedy Jr., Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver, and Jackie Kennedy.

The stars were ready to grab their rackets

Diana Ross in a headband holding a tennis racket.
Diana Ross attended the tennis matches, ready to play while holding a tennis racket. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)
Clint Eastwood sitting beside Ethel Kennedy, holding a tennis racket.
Actor Clint Eastwood and Ethel Kennedy attend Robert F. Kennedy Celebrity Tennis Tournament on August 27, 1977. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

Considering it was a celebrity event, it’s no surprise that some of the biggest stars of the time made their appearances at the RFK Tennis Tournaments. Every year, viewers could spot a variety of actors, singers, models, and other entertainers in the stands and on the courts. Some names include Chevy Chase, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Clint Eastwood, Cheryl Tiegs, and many more.

Headshot of Chevy Chase wearing a towel around his neck
Chevy Chase during 6th Annual RFK Tennis Tournament at Forest Hills. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)
Shirtless Arnold Schwarzenegger holding a tennis racket.
Arnold Schwarzenegger attends Sixth Annual Robert F. Kennedy Celebrity Tennis Tournament on August 27, 1977. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

While the tennis tournament was for a good cause, many celebrities took the opportunity to flaunt their personal “tennis club” style, wearing preppy attire they would not be seen in otherwise. Some even decided to show off what they had going on underneath their clothes (cough *Arnold* cough).

There was plenty of schmoozing

Jackie Kennedy, Veronica Ali, and Muhammad Ali posing for a photo together.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis greets world heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali and his wife Veronica as they meet at a party at the Rainbow Room kicking off festivities for the Robert F. Kennedy Tennis Tournament. Proceeds from the 1977 charity affair went to underprivileged children. (Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images)
Headshot of Chevy Chase and Lauren Bacall.
Chevy Chase and Lauren Bacall during 6th Annual RFK Tennis Tournament Party at Rainbow Room. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

Put a group of celebrities in a room together and they’re bound to socialize. Singers were seen shaking hands with politicians while athletes shared jokes with actors. It was a unique experience that put a lot of America’s most famous names in direct contact with one another, making for some pretty incredible photographs.

Headshot of Veronica Ali, Michael Jackson, and Muhammad Ali posing for a photo.
Muhammad Ali, his wife Veronica, and Michael Jackson pose together for a photo while attending the annual RFK Tennis Tournament, circa 1977. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rosey Grier stand each holding a child, posing for a photo together.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rosey Grier attend Sixth Annual Robert F. Kennedy Celebrity Tennis Tournament on August 27, 1977. (Photo Credit: Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection / Getty Images)

More from us: We’re Glad These Bizarre Sports and Competitions Don’t Exist Anymore

Although the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Tennis Tournament ended years ago, the gathering of celebrities, pro athletes, and politicians made for a popular and memorable event. We’re glad we have these photos!

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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