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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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.