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.

Load last 15 media item(s)Loading...

IC of Australia launch 'Beyond the Tour'

The IC of Australia has launched a new initiative to assist players as they transition to life after professional tennis. The aim of the initiative run by the IC of Australia is to support those retiring as they transition to life after the pro tour by offering; firstly a connection to an ongoing tennis family, then as required, assistance in areas including mentoring, education, job seeking, networking, health and wellbeing.

In partnership with Tennis Australia, the launch of Beyond the Tour (BTT) took place at a cocktail party at the Australian Open. The Vice President of the IC of Australia, Kerryn Pratt, hosted the event with the IC of Australia President, Geoff Masters officially launching the BTT program. There were around 90 attendees from the tennis community.  Both current and former players including; John Newcombe, Evonne Cawley, Frank Sedgman, Scott Draper and Janet Young, and Tennis Australia attendees including; CEO Craig Tiley, Chief Tennis Officer Matt Dwyer and one of the excellent line-up of speakers on the night, Head of Performance, Wally Masur.

Seven new members were inducted into the BTT program on the night; Isabella Holland, Ashling Sumner, Adam Hubble, Stephanie Bengson, Greg Jones, Casey Dellacqua, Sally Peers.

The event was hugely enjoyed by all and the IC was praised for recognising and acting on such an important aspect of life after not only professional tennis, but after all professional sports. The event and the initiative was also picked up in various media coverage:

https://www.playersvoice.com.au/renee-beck-when-cheering-stops/

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/reid-family-legends-praise-initiative-for-struggling-ex-stars-20190116-p50rpn.html

For more information and who to contact, please visit the IC of Australia website