Meet your Regional Representative for Europe: Eva-Maria Schneider, IC of Germany

Former professional tennis player and long-standing member of the IC movement, Eva-Maria Schneider, has spent decades combining her passion for tennis with a commitment to building international friendships through the sport. From competing on the world stage as a junior and professional player to helping connect IC members across Europe, Eva-Maria continues to play an active role in strengthening the global IC community.

Eva-Maria’s tennis journey began at an early age in Germany, where she became a member of the German junior national team. As a junior player, she travelled extensively and competed in tournaments around the world, including all four Grand Slam events. One of her standout moments came at Wimbledon in 1985, when she reached the semifinals of the girls’ doubles alongside Wiltrud Probst, who later went on to become a Top 50 WTA player and remains an active member of the IC of Germany.

After finishing school, Eva-Maria spent two and a half years competing professionally on the WTA Tour, achieving a career-high singles ranking of 234 and reaching around 200 in doubles. Alongside her professional career, she was also a member of the Bundesliga team of Bayer Leverkusen. During her university years, she continued combining academics with tennis while playing for the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Eva-Maria became a member of the IC of Germany around 2006, with one of her earliest experiences being competing for the Dunlop Trophy in Great Britain. She recalls being introduced to the IC through former president Alex Kurucz, whose invitation immediately appealed to her.

“What struck me right away was the unique spirit of the IC,” she explains. “It combines so many of the things I enjoy most about tennis and international friendships.”

For Eva-Maria, being part of the IC offers far more than just competition on court. She particularly values the opportunity to play high-level tennis in special and historic venues around the world, experiences that she says she may otherwise never have had. Equally important are the friendships and connections built through the organisation.

“Meeting up with like-minded people, many of whom I have known for years, is incredibly special,” she says. “And beyond that, it is simply a great honour to be part of such a unique group.”

Among her many memorable IC experiences, one stands above the rest: the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the IC of Great Britain. Spending a full week at Wimbledon and taking part in the extensive anniversary programme remains one of her favourite memories within the organisation.

Another recent highlight came in March 2025 during the founding session of the IC of Bolivia, where members gathered at the remarkable Club de Tenis La Paz at high altitude. The event further reinforced for Eva-Maria the international and inclusive spirit that makes the IC movement so distinctive.

Today, Eva-Maria serves as Regional Representative for the ICs of Europe, a role she greatly enjoys because it allows her to bring people together from different countries and backgrounds.

“I really enjoy connecting with people and learning about the different programmes and activities across the various ICs,” she says. “Our online meetings are always interesting and inspiring, and I learn something new every time.”

Through her experience as a player, organiser and ambassador for international tennis friendship, Eva-Maria Schneider continues to embody the values at the heart of the IC movement: sportsmanship, connection and a lifelong love of the game.

You can connect with Eva-Maria through Facebook.

Congratulations Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki

History has once again been re-written, and this time by two formidable IC tennis players. From the IC of Denmark, Caroline Wozniacki, has become the first Dane to win a Grand Slam tennis title, and then there’s the incredible Roger Federer from the IC of Switzerland, who has added a record breaking 20th Grand Slam title to his collection.

Wozniacki was up against Simona Halep in the finals, and with both women facing match points against them in their previous rounds, the World number 1 spot up for grabs and with neither player yet to win a grand slam, it was set to be a thrilling encounter - and it certainly was. In a gruelling battle which lasted just under three hours in hot and humid conditions where the 10 minute timeout was enforced, it was the Dane who prevailed 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. After six long years, Wozniacki now retains the world number spot and can add that long awaited but thoroughly well deserved first grand slam title to her resume.  

And then there’s the sublime Roger Federer, who at the age of 36 keeps improving with age and breaking record after record along his way. It took the Swiss five sets to see off big hitting Croatian, Marin Cilic, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to be met with a humbling wave of emotion at such a formidable achievement. 30 Grand Slam finals over the last 15 years and now 20 Grand Slam titles, a fate that was previously unthinkable, and a personalised honour from his country and yet Roger Federer’s great achievements still continue.