Ralph R. Strong, a lifelong Bristol resident, was known as Bristol’s ‘Mr. Tennis.” When the annual Bristol tennis championships, now named in his honor, were started in 1929, Strong was one of the competitors, competing faithfully until 1976 at age 80 when a leg injury temporarily halted him.

He became active in the age-80-and-over tournament on the regional and national levels, capturing a number of titles and No. 1 ranking. Included was a first place finish in the 85-and-over singles competition in 1979 and in 1980 winning the championship in his age group in the National Clay Court Championships. His love and enthusiasm for the game remained with him until his death at age 97 in 1992.

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