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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Highlights from IC India

The IC of India share their 2019 - 2021 highlights and a reminder of their Mission and Goals.

Vision

Be, and be recognized as, the most progressive chapter of the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs.

Mission

Promote and develop tennis in India by keeping ‘The ICs’ core values integrated in all activities.

Goals

Institutionalise the India chapter to become a strong interconnected community of members and partners that work cohesively to promote and develop tennis in India.

Strategy

1. Implement a calendar of activities for all members to engage through the year, physically and online.

2. Conduct a robust domestic tour for IC members across India. The tour serves as a platform for members to compete and engage with new prospective members who may be invited for membership.

3. Recognise and felicitate the achievements of former and present tennis players who persevered against all odds to put India on the global tennis map..

4. Support tennis for development programs that enhance the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

5. Work with the All India Tennis Association in helping top juniors realise their potential and play at the professional level.

Top 5 highlights shared with all members as part of Annual General Meeting report (2019-21)

1. Domestic Tour
   • A total of 5 weekend events were conducted in Delhi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
   • Participation of over a 100 IC members and local players.
2. Felicitation of former and current tennis players
   • Jasjit Singh, former India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world ranking of 89 in 1974.
   • Ramanathan Krishnan, former India Davis Cup player. Career high world ranking of 6 in amateur rankings. Led India to the Davis Cup finals in 1966 against Australia. Non-playing captain of the 1974 Davis Cup team that reached the finals against South Africa.
   • Jaidip Mukerjea, former India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world ranking of 120 in 1974. Part of the team which reached the Davis Cup final for the first time in 1966. Played 97 Davis Cup matches for India.
   • Rohan Bopanna, India Davis Cup player, achieved career high world doubles ranking of 3 in 2013. Member of India Davis Cup team since 2002. Winner of the 2017 French Open mixed-doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski becoming the fourth Indian player to win a Grand Slam title.
3. Supporting top ranked juniors

   • Sent a team to Hong Kong of top 2 Indian Under 16 ranked girls and boys with a Manager/Coach for the Asia / Oceania IC Junior Challenge in July 2019.

   • Tennis clinics to promote tennis conducted in Prayagraj, Mumbai and Bangalore.

   • Support to Sagar Kumar, a top 25 ranked junior from a low income background during his travel for the nationals.

4. Philanthropy

   • Supporting Delhi based initiative, EduTennis of teaching life skills through tennis to government school children.

   • Equipment and monetary donations made by several members.

   • Site visits by Executive Committee members.

5. Online engagement

   • Member participation in the longest rally challenge to celebrate and support EduTennis’ celebrations of April 6, UN Day for Sport Development and Peace. Members recorded their videos of doing a self rally and uploaded it on social media.

   • President and Regional Vice President. North participated as speakers in EduTennis’ first year virtual celebrations on ZOOM.

2021-22 IC India Executive Committee

1. President: Mr. Nandan Bal

2. Honorary Secretary: Mr. Jaideep Bhatia

3. Honorary Treasurer: Mr. Vikram Anand

4. Regional Vice Presidents: North - Mr. Sanjeev Kassal, South - Mr. Ramesh Krishnan, East - Mr. Jaidip Mukerjea, West - Mr. Rajesh Batra

5. 2021-22 Executive Committee members: Ms. Shivika Burman, Ms. Sohini Kumari, Mr.. Deepak Bhargava, Mr. Nitin Joshi, Cdr. RI Singh (Retd.), Mr. Charu Sharma, Mr. Aditya Khanna.