The Real Sociedad de Tenis de la Magdalena (Spanish pronunciation:[reˈalsoθjeˈðaððeˈtenisðelamaɣðaˈlena]; "Royal Society of Tennis of la Magdalena"), commonly known as El Tenis de Santander and familiarly as El Tenis, is a private country club based in Santander, Cantabria, Spain.[1] Founded by king Alfonso XIII and a group of noblemen in April 1906, it is one of the oldest country clubs in Spain.
Currently membership is largely reserved for the children and spouses of members only, being very restrictive towards people wishing to become affiliates.
History
First half of the 20th century
Early in the century a group of noblemen decided to create a sports club which they christened as Lawn-tenis Society of Santander. It was installed on the premises of a velodrome, built a few years earlier near the Magdalena Peninsula. In the square surrounded by the racetrack they placed two cement tennis pitches, complemented by a booth, where the players could change attire.
The Duke of Alba playing a tennis match at the club, 1927Alfonso XIII during a tennis match at the club, 1925
Two years later, the Santander Consistory decided to give the king Alfonso XIII the strategic peninsula, while starting up the popular initiative to build a summer palace for the Spanish Royal Family. From that moment the elitist club became a popular sport entity much frequented by the Spanish royal family. Consequently, in 1909 King Alfonso assumed the Presidency of Honor of the club, which allowed it to add the prefix "Real".[3]
After this appointment, there was a sharp increase in the number of affiliated members with the consequent expansion of sporting activities and meetings of social and festive character. The construction of new gravel roads and buildings allowed the club to share grounds with the Palacio de la Magdalena. Other activities such as bowling were also incorporated, whose first championship was held in 1933.
With the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the club, the Prince Juan Carlos I arranged a visit. Years later, the king Juan Carlos I officially accepted the honorary presidency of the club in 1976. After this, many events were held, including the European Tennis Championship held in 1982, the organization of the first edition of the International tennis tournament, now called ATP and the Fed Cup semi-final, played between Spain and Germany in 1995.[5]
21st century
During the 21st century, the club has organized events including the 2000 Davis Cup semi-final, between Spain and the US in which the host country won.
In 2006, the club celebrated its centenary with events including the Spanish National Tennis Championship in both male and female categories, as well as the Spanish National Bowling Tournament and the Spanish National Hockey Championship.[6]
Facilities
The club's main entrance
The club's facilities are composed of five tennis courts of clay and two synthetic surface courts, a bowling court, a fitness center, 3 swimming pools, a nautical section and senior and youth social buildings.[7]
Spain
