On the courts.
- 09:00 Mr. Bianchi vs. his machine.
- 14:00 Mrs. Tognazzi vs. Marco. (She will win.)
- 17:30 Doubles. Names withheld.
The Court Pavilion
The house opens to a limited new round of members soon.
The Home of Quiet Racquet Sport.
Edizione I · Primavera 2026
Membership
Knock at the door.
Leave an email. We open the list to a small new round each season — twelve hours before the public.
We write seldom, and only when there is something worth carrying.
FRITSCHI HOUSE — BULLETIN BOARD
Notes from the house.
Founders on the list —
23
JUL
2026
10:00
Samuel declined to appear on camera and has since appeared in every frame — background, plain white shirt, visibly disapproving. The photographer calls it texture. Samuel calls it principle.
The House
22
JUL
2026
13:30
Filming ran clean through lunch. Mr. Bianchi's espresso was, for the first time this summer, served at six thirty exactly. The camera was watching.
The Kitchen
22
JUL
2026
11:00
Filming began this morning. The bordeaux polo on Marco; the racing green on the English gentleman who turned out to be exactly the right size; the court short on no one who will admit to it.
The Atelier
21
JUL
2026
07:00
Centre Court has been groomed for the camera. Mr. Pavese reports the slope has migrated again; it will appear in the film regardless — uphill and unrepentant.
The Groundsman
20
JUL
2026
09:30
The photographer returns from Milan on Tuesday, this time with a cine camera. A film, then, and not photographs. Marco has been informed. Marco has informed everyone else.
The House
19
JUL
2026
18:00
The three pieces came back from their final press today — the bordeaux polo, the racing green, the court short. They hang in the office in a row, saying nothing, which is the most a garment can be asked to do.
The Atelier
14
JUL
2026
19:00
The long July evenings make honest people of us all. We close nothing early this week. Mr. Fritschi is, predictably, asleep on Centre Court.
The House
13
JUL
2026
15:00
Two polos and one short went to the frame today. Volume I is complete. The door stays shut a little longer.
The Atelier
13
JUL
2026
08:00
Samuel came down in a plain white shirt — no flag, no remark. Marco wore the green, collar up, and poured the coffee himself. For one morning, honour is quiet. It will not last the week.
The House
13
JUL
2026
07:00
Breakfast moved indoors. The swallow above the loggia has reclaimed its chair, and one does not argue with the swallow.
The Kitchen
12
JUL
2026
21:15
A bottle was opened for the winner and, in fairness, a second for the loser. The cellar now records the fortnight even: Paris to the Germans, London to the Italians. The house considers the rivalry settled. The house is wrong.
The Cellar
12
JUL
2026
19:45
An Italian has the trophy, and for one evening the house is entirely, unrepentantly Italian. Marco did not gloat — he put on a record, opened the good Barolo, and let Samuel pour his own. That was gloating enough.
The House
12
JUL
2026
18:30
The same German reached it; this time the grass belonged to Mr. Sinner, who took it in four. Marco has said nothing at all — which, from Marco, is a great deal. Samuel, who crowed through the whole of Paris, has gone off to water a court that did not need it.
The House
12
JUL
2026
17:30
Marco has new strings and a certain look. He will be, by Friday, 'terrifying.' We have heard this before.
The House
11
JUL
2026
21:30
The draw has produced it again — a German and an Italian in the final. The same German as Paris, Mr. Zverev; a new Italian across the net this time, Mr. Sinner. Samuel has already claimed the good chair; Marco the other, an inch closer. Nothing has been said. Everything has been said.
The House
11
JUL
2026
20:00
The first boxes are sealed — heavy paper, a wax seal at the join. Samuel keeps one on his desk 'as a reference.' It is not a reference.
The Atelier
11
JUL
2026
08:30
The Tognazzis return from the coast on Friday. Centre Court will, once again, be theirs. Marco apologises in advance.
The House
10
JUL
2026
20:30
A Sangiovese was opened 'just to check it.' It has now been checked, thoroughly, by four people. It was fine.
The Cellar
10
JUL
2026
07:45
A storm was promised for the afternoon. Mr. Pavese covered the grass court. The storm, offended, did not come.
The Groundsman
09
JUL
2026
18:00
The racing green is, at last, the green of the door at dusk. This was always the point. Three earlier greens are not invited to discuss it.
The Atelier
09
JUL
2026
09:00
A guest asked whether the courts have air conditioning. We explained that they have shade, a bar, and the good sense to close at noon.
The House
08
JUL
2026
18:30
Doubles at dusk. Samuel partnered Marco. They did not speak for two sets, and won both.
The House
08
JUL
2026
10:00
The first polos are folded, numbered and boxed. Marco asked, again, who gets number one. He was, again, not told.
The Atelier
07
JUL
2026
19:00
Every polo is numbered, one to one hundred — woven into the hem, where only the wearer will find it. Marco is still lobbying for number one.
The Atelier
07
JUL
2026
07:15
Sunrise at 5:41, the court watered at 5:42. Samuel, who had promised to appear, did not.
The Groundsman
06
JUL
2026
21:00
Dinner ran late under the pergola. Mr. Fritschi returned mid-course, unannounced, with a wheel of pecorino. All was forgiven.
The Kitchen
06
JUL
2026
08:45
Mr. Bianchi played his ball machine at eight. He lost. He blames the heat. There is always something.
The House
05
JUL
2026
20:30
The negroni supplies are holding, for now. Normal service resumes Monday, or when they run out. Whichever is later.
The Bar
05
JUL
2026
16:30
The mother-of-pearl buttons caught the afternoon light and the whole atelier stopped to look, then went sheepishly back to work.
The Atelier
05
JUL
2026
12:30
Chess on the terrace. Marco lost twice and is calling it strategy. The prawns were over-ordered, exactly as instructed.
The House, from the coast
04
JUL
2026
18:30
Mr. Bianchi was given the weekend off and, as ever, declined it. He has come along anyway, and has spent the afternoon disapproving of the swimming from a deckchair, fully dressed.
The House, from the coast
04
JUL
2026
08:15
The house is closed until Monday. We have gone to the coast, as we do once a summer. The court will go unwatered. It will survive. It always does.
The House
03
JUL
2026
17:00
The collars now stand exactly as they should — not too proud, not too soft. It took eleven attempts. We speak of the first ten only in whispers.
The Atelier
03
JUL
2026
09:30
The English couple, who came for an afternoon in June, are still here. We have stopped asking when they leave.
The House
02
JUL
2026
20:15
In this heat we serve the whites cold and the reds cool. A guest objected. The guest has been gently re-educated.
The Cellar
02
JUL
2026
08:00
The espresso machine, sensing the heat, has gone on strike again. Marco is negotiating. Marco always negotiates.
The Kitchen
01
JUL
2026
18:00
Mr. Bianchi has asked, for the fifth time, when he may buy a polo. He has been told: soon, and not before the list. He has begun to sulk.
The House
01
JUL
2026
07:30
The clay was down by six. By seven it was thirty degrees. Mr. Pavese has declared July 'unsporting' and retired to the shade.
The Groundsman
21
JUN
2026
19:00
Everything is, very nearly, ready. The stitching is done, the colours are set. We are counting the mornings now.
The Atelier
21
JUN
2026
07:00
The longest day. The court was watered at dawn and stood empty in the gold for an hour. We let it.
The Groundsman
20
JUN
2026
21:00
Dinner ran late. Someone produced a guitar. It was, against all expectation, rather good.
The House
20
JUN
2026
09:00
Marco asked how many will be made. He was told one hundred. He asked who gets number one. He was not told.
The House
19
JUN
2026
20:30
A piece was tried on at dinner, over a shirt, for effect. The table approved. The table is, admittedly, biased.
The Atelier
19
JUN
2026
08:15
The grass court was cut this morning. Mr. Pavese stood and looked at it for some time. He approved.
The Groundsman
18
JUN
2026
16:00
The cards are being written. By hand, by Samuel, in an ink the colour of the grass court at dusk. His hand will ache by Friday.
The House
18
JUN
2026
11:30
The Tognazzis have left for the coast. The house is, briefly, quiet. No one is quite sure what to do.
The House
17
JUN
2026
19:45
The boxes arrived. Heavy paper, the colour of the walls, a wax seal at the join. Samuel has opened one and refuses to part with it.
The Atelier
17
JUN
2026
07:45
The espresso machine is, once again, on strike. Marco speaks to it. Marco always speaks to it.
The Kitchen
16
JUN
2026
18:00
Mr. Bianchi lost to the machine 6–2, 6–1. He blames the wind. There was no wind.
The House
16
JUN
2026
08:30
Mr. Bianchi has asked, for the fourth time, when he may buy a polo. He has been told: soon, and not before the list.
The House
15
JUN
2026
20:00
The first pieces were photographed today, on Marco, against the green door. Marco believes he is now a model. We have not corrected him.
The Atelier
15
JUN
2026
13:00
A swallow has nested above the loggia. Lunch will be taken indoors until further notice.
The House
15
JUN
2026
10:00
A photographer has arrived from Milan. He has asked where the studio is. We have shown him the olive grove.
The House
14
JUN
2026
19:15
All three pieces hang in the office tonight: two polos, one short. The door stays locked. July is close.
The Atelier
13
JUN
2026
20:30
Numbering has begun — woven in, not written on. The loom, like the house, refuses to be hurried.
The Atelier
13
JUN
2026
19:30
Mr. Fritschi has, again, returned. He has brought, by way of apology, a wheel of pecorino.
The House
12
JUN
2026
19:45
The crest embroidery has survived its sixtieth wash. The intern who counted is resting.
The Atelier
12
JUN
2026
14:00
Samuel's elbow attempted a serve at dawn. It has been formally retired, again.
The House
11
JUN
2026
20:15
Mother-of-pearl buttons: approved. The second batch, that is. The first is not discussed.
The Atelier
11
JUN
2026
16:00
An English couple arrived without an appointment. They are now staying for a week.
The House
10
JUN
2026
19:00
The court short was fitted on Marco this afternoon. He has requested to keep it. Denied.
The Atelier
10
JUN
2026
07:00
The wisteria has, at last, capitulated. Mr. Pavese has been informed.
The Groundsman
09
JUN
2026
20:00
The bordeaux polo now has a collar that behaves. The tailor remains suspicious.
The Atelier
09
JUN
2026
09:00
Marco has taken delivery of new strings. He is, he assures us, going to be terrifying by Friday.
The House
08
JUN
2026
19:30
The racing green arrived from the mill. It is, at last, the right green. Three previous greens disagree.
The Atelier
08
JUN
2026
17:30
Mr. Bianchi's ball machine, sensing weakness, defeated him in straight sets.
The House
08
JUN
2026
11:00
The Centre Court opened at noon. Samuel — magnanimous, in his way — was heard to mention, more than once, that "tennis is, of course, an Italian game." Marco has yet to laugh.
The House
07
JUN
2026
17:30
Mr. Zverev took the final in five. Samuel — distinctly German all afternoon — is now distinctly insufferable. Marco has retired to the cellar.
The House
06
JUN
2026
10:30
Marco's ball machine has been reprogrammed. It is, according to Marco, in remission.
The House
05
JUN
2026
17:00
Mr. Pavese has surveyed the grass court. He believes the slope has, in his words, migrated.
The House
04
JUN
2026
08:20
The bougainvillea proves itself stubborn. The wisteria, less so.
The Groundsman
03
JUN
2026
22:15
The library opened punctually. We are pleased to report no incidents.
The Librarian
02
JUN
2026
11:30
Samuel attempted a backhand. He has been advised, again, to rest.
The House
01
JUN
2026
15:45
A second tennis racquet has gone missing. Mr. Fritschi denies all involvement.
The House
31
MAY
2026
09:00
The padel court has been returned to service. Marco accepts congratulations.
Marco
30
MAY
2026
15:40
Mr. Fritschi has located the spare tennis balls. We have located Mr. Fritschi.
The Groundsman
28
MAY
2026
08:00
Samuel's elbow is, this morning, slightly improved. We make no promises.
The House
27
MAY
2026
22:15
The library will close earlier than usual. The reason is undisclosed.
The Librarian
26
MAY
2026
06:45
Sunrise was at 5:52. The court was watered at 5:53. The Master, however, did not appear.
The Groundsman
25
MAY
2026
13:15
A guest has asked whether we have Wi-Fi. We have explained that we do, but reluctantly.
The House
24
MAY
2026
16:45
The padel court remains closed for restringing. We anticipate a return to play by Thursday. Probably.
Marco
23
MAY
2026
09:00
Mr. Bianchi insists the espresso be served at exactly six thirty. We have, regrettably, been late twice this week.
The Kitchen
22
MAY
2026
08:30
Samuel's ongoing elbow. Centre Court will be closed Thursday afternoon. Samuel sends his regards and asks that no one mentions tennis at the bar.
The House
21
MAY
2026
17:00
Mr. Bianchi's ball machine has, once again, won.
The House
20
MAY
2026
11:00
The library is missing volume IV of Trees of Tuscany. It will be back by Friday. We trust the borrower's discretion.
The Librarian
19
MAY
2026
14:20
Marco asks that we no longer refer to his ball machine as Cazzo. It hears us.
The House
18
MAY
2026
07:15
Mr. Fritschi has returned. He is, again, asleep on Centre Court.
The House
17
MAY
2026
11:30
Volume IV of Trees of Tuscany has been located. It was, of course, in the wine cellar.
The Librarian
14
MAY
2026
19:00
Tonight's Burgundies have been opened too early. We are pretending otherwise.
The Cellar
13
MAY
2026
10:00
The Tognazzis are arriving Friday. Centre Court will be unavailable to all other parties. Marco apologises.
The House
