The IC of GB takes home the Gottfried von Cramm Trophy 2025

The Frankfurt Tennisclub 1914 Palmengarten was the venue at the end of August for the second Gottfried von Cramm Trophy, a team competition in which one women's singles, one men's singles and a mixed doubles are held in each match. While the two singles are played normally, the mixed doubles is a championship tiebreak. In each match between two teams, the winner can reach a maximum of 3 points. For example, if a team wins both singles but loses the championship tiebreak, 2 points go to the winner and 1 point to the loser.

In Frankfurt, five teams from six nations participated: Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland in conjunction with Canada. Due to the odd number of teams, the format required all teams to play everyone else.

After three rounds, the teams from Spain and Great Britain were in the lead. In the last game of the tournament (against Germany), the British took the points to pass Spain and win the trophy. Below is the final ranking and the individual players:

1. Great Britain (Emily Arbuthnott, Pedro Ocana)
2. Spain (Isabel Fernandez, Carlos Garcia Villanieva)
3. Germany (Natali Gumbrecht, Tim Richter)
4. Luxembourg (Tatiana Silbereisen)
5. Switzerland / Canada (Kasia Poplawski)

IC's Helena Sukova and Michael Stich inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

We are delighted to report that Helena Sukova, IC of Czech Republic and Michael Stich, IC of Germany have been elected to receive tennis’ top honor this summer. Labelled 'tennis' ultimate honour', they will join tennis legends from around the world to be formally inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 21st during Hall of Fame Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.

They will join an elite group of just over 250 people from a total of 23 nations who have received the honour, which recognises their outstanding careers as being among the most impressive and impactful in the history of tennis. As stated by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, their mission statement is to "preserve and promote the history of tennis and celebrate its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis".

Helena, a 14 time Grand Slam champion in doubles and mixed doubles, a four-time Grand Slam singles runner-up and winner of 10 singles titles and 69 doubles titles, is a deserving winner from her outstanding tennis achievements alone. But here at the International Lawn Tennis Club, we would also like to recognise all her hard work for the IC of Czech Republic which includes; re-establishing the IC of Czech Republic in 1999 and serving as its President from then until today onwards, as well as her previous 7 years on the Executive Committee of the IC Council from 2001-2008 and active successful representation both on and off the court throughout this time and onwards.

Michael Stich, the former world number 2, won the men's singles title at Wimbledon, along with the doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. He was singles runner-up at both the French Open and US Open and won 18 singles titles and 10 doubles titles. An active IC of Germany member who serves on the clubs Advisory Board, Michael has also devoted a lot of his time since retirement to his own AIDS foundation.

Many congratulations to both Helena and Michael.