Tennis legend Frank Sedgman is among the well-known players connected to a charity tournament hosted for decades at bayside homes including 36 Bolton Ave, Hampton. Inset picture: Kris Chock.
A Hampton house linked to some of Australia’s most successful tennis players has hit the market with $9m-$9.9m price hopes.
The Art Deco abode at 36 Bolton Ave, featuring a tennis court, has been a family home for more than 40 years.
The owner’s daughter said that for decades, her parents, their neighbours and other community members had joined together to host an informal tennis tournament to raise funds for charity.
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Starting in the 1970s, the annual event known as Sedgie’s Charity Day was the brainchild of Jean Sedgman, the wife of former Australian world number one player Frank Sedgman.
Across three decades, Sedgman won five Grand Slam singles tournaments and nine Grand Slam doubles.
In 1952, he claimed men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon, playing with fellow Aussie Ken McGregor and US player Doris Hart in the latter two wins.
The mod-grass tennis court, tiled pool and poolside cabana with kitchenette and a powder room have a Palm Springs-like feel, the owner’s daughter says.
US tennis player Vic Seixas and Australia’s Frank Sedgman walk onto the court for their Davis Cup match in 1952.
Period features have been retained throughout the house such as this decorative ceiling.
The Sedgemans formerly lived at another house in Bolton St, while ex-US Open and 1960 Wimbledon champion Neale Fraser also lived nearby and played in some Sedgie’s Charity Day games.
Up to 20 homeowners with tennis courts across Hampton and Brighton participated in the tournament across the years, which often involved round robin mixed doubles.
Prizes such as signed tennis rackets and weekends away would be raffled to attendees.
The Hampton house owner’s daughter said her family had also hosted many birthday parties and special celebrations, inviting friends and family over to play cricket, swim in their pool or boogie on a dance floor set up on the lawn.
“At the back there’s a big palm tree, so it’s a bit like Palm Springs,” she said.
The kitchen adjoins a meals area which leads the undercover terrace and back yard.
Pat Cash and Neale Fraser celebrating after Australia’s win in the 1983 Davis Cup. After retiring as a player, Fraser served as the non-playing captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team for 24 years.
The owner’s mother loved colour and had some of the interior walls painted green and in pastel hues.
Nowadays, there’s a cabana with kitchenette and a powder room alongside the pool.
The woman said her parents had renovated and extended the house including adding another level.
Features such as high ceilings, ornate cornices and decorative plasterwork have been retained throughout.
Upstairs, the main bedroom has a box bay window and window seat looking out to sea views and the palm tree.
A spa ensuite is fitted out with Norwegian Rose marble selected by the owner’s mother.
Norwegian Rose marble adds a splash of luxury to one of the house’s ensuite.
Water views out of the windows make for a picturesque panorama.
Frank and Jean Sedgman at Australian Open’s #Open4All party in 2020. Picture: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia.
The first floor is also home to a living area, bar and kitchenette, study, balcony, powder room and another bedroom.
Downstairs, the timber-fitted kitchen adjoins a meals area and rumpus room with access to the undercover terrace and rear lawn.
The owner’s mother, who loved colour, had various rooms painted in soft pastels and green shades.
Marshall White director Ben Vieth has the listing for the 1905sq m property.
Expressions of interest close at midday on February 23.
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