The Robert Abdesselam Trophy returns to France

The 10th edition of the Robert Abdesselam Trophy took place from 21-23 August and brought together four international teams — Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, and France — for a competition featuring one Women’s Doubles, one Men’s Doubles, and two Mixed Doubles per match.

The French team prepared with great professionalism, with some high-altitude training in the Vercors Mountains. There, the players enjoyed scenic hikes through historic forest trails, breathtaking views over Grenoble, and, most importantly, an intensive tennis camp led by their long-time coach, Bruno Delorme, at the Villard-de-Lans Tennis Club. Off the courts, the group took time to share meals and test their culinary skills, further strengthening team spirit and camaraderie.

On arrival in Avignon, the competitors faced stormy weather. The French delegation managed a short training session on the superb courts of TC Montolivet before heavy rain rendered the grounds unplayable. The club’s President, Jean-Pierre Azam, and his wife Gisèle extended a warm welcome to all participants, their passion and dedication keeping the Avignon club thriving.

Due to the weather, the opening matches were held indoors on a single court instead of the planned four outdoor ones. Consequently, the format was shortened to a single set of six games with a tie-break at 6-6. France started the tournament strongly, defeating Great Britain — a new permanent participant in this long-standing competition — by 4–0 in the morning session. Spain then overcame Belgium in the afternoon.

The following day saw the return of sunshine, allowing play to resume outdoors for the France–Belgium encounter. Despite gusty conditions, France prevailed 3–1. In the afternoon, players and guests enjoyed a guided cultural visit to the Chartreuse de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, a monastic complex renowned for its austere order and beautiful architecture.

The evening’s social programme featured a warm reception hosted by Odile de Roubin in her elegant family residence, where players gathered for an aperitif before the official dinner — a highlight of the event’s convivial atmosphere.

The final day brought the much-anticipated showdown between France and Spain. The French team were eager to reclaim the Robert Abdesselam Trophy, which had been in Spanish hands since the 2023 edition in Madrid.

The opening women’s doubles match proved challenging: Spain’s pair, Pauline Rodriguez (a former French player ranked no. 15) and Noelia Perez Penate (former WTA no. 121), showed their experience, while France’s Isabelle Billard-Delage sustained an early injury. Fortunately, the French men responded with a narrow win, leaving the teams level at one match apiece.

It was therefore down to the two mixed doubles to decide the title (and avoid a super tie-break in the event of two tied teams after all the matches). The French pairs — Chantal Grimal & Alain Moracchini, and MarieDo Larras & Nicolas Fourcade — made an excellent start, taking their first sets 6–1 and 6–0 respectively. Grimal and Moracchini secured their victory swiftly, while Larras and Fourcade were pushed into a deciding tie-break after their Spanish opponents, Noelia Perez Penate and Fernando Gomes de Segura, fought back to win the second set 6–4. The final tie-break was a thrilling affair, keeping spectators — including loyal French supporters Pascale and Christine — on edge. In the end, the French pair held their nerve to win 11–9, sealing overall victory for France.

The Robert Abdesselam Trophy thus returned to France, to the delight of players, organisers, and supporters alike — a fitting conclusion to three days of high-level tennis, sportsmanship, and international friendship.

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Celebrating Doug Hillen, IC of South Africa

It is with a great deal of sadness that we must advise the passing of our former IC of South Africa President, Doug Hillen.

Doug always held the International Club in high regard and like anything to do with tennis, he devoted his full energies into his time as president, a position he held for 10 years. His commitment to the game was spawned by the fact that his father set the example of commitment to the game by being the power behind the rise of Commercial Tennis club to become one of, if not the, top club in Johannesburg in his day. So much so that Commercial club added the name “Hillen” to the name of the club. So, his upbringing ensured that the love of the game was passed from father to son.

Tennis was not in his DNA, tennis was his DNA.

He just could not play enough tennis and his famous blue court at his home must have been worn through with the amount of play that the court soaked up.

Doug was on the IC Executive as the African representative a position he was proud to be asked to fulfil. He again devoted time and energy into this position in true Hillen style and fervour.

On court Doug represented South Africa several times at the World Veterans championships and for the IC SA and he vigorously pursued IC matches against other countries on his travels. He was passionate about representing the IC abroad and such was his standing in some of these countries, that he was made an honorary member of several other IC countries.

At home he regularly represented his province, Gauteng Central, in inter provincial matches and became almost a permanent fixture in any Gauteng Central team. It is thought that he represented his province close to 50 times throughout his career.

A memorial service was held for Doug at his son’s house on 25th April and well attended by family friends, close acquaintances and a well turned out number of IC members. As chairman I was honoured to be asked by his son, Greg, to speak about his work with and for the IC as well as on a personal level as he was often my doubles partner at tournaments.

Sadly, Doug suffered from dementia in his later years, and this was a trying time for his family.

Doug will leave a huge hole in tennis, not only in South Africa but the world as he was a shining example of how to be true ambassador of the sport and his country.

Doug leaves behind his wife, June, a son Greg, daughter Dianne and six grandchildren.

On behalf of the IC SA I extended our condolences to his family at the memorial.