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...

Interview with Marco Gilardelli, President of the Potter Cup and Two Presidents Cup Committees

Ruth Birk: Hello Marco, first, thank you very much for being part of the Potter Cup and Two Presidents Cup competitions again. In the end, the competition is the competition and its people, and you've been a part of it for many years. You're the president of the Potter Cup Committee and now also of the Two Presidents Cup. Tell us how this international relationship began.

Marco Gilardelli: The relationship began in 1984 in Milan with Juan Maria Tintore, who asked Sergio Tachini and me to come play in the Potter Cup, and Sergio Tachini accepted. At that time, Sergio Tachini was the president of IC Italy, and I was the secretary. Since our first participation, we haven't missed a single year.

Ruth Birk: And from then until now, has much changed at the team level?

Marco Gilardelli: In terms of the number of teams, it hasn't changed much, but the level has changed significantly. Many players who have been professionals participate, and they believe playing in the Potter Cup is more important than playing in the world championship. In the world championship, you may lose to a player who hasn't been a great player before; here, if you lose, you know you're losing to a player of great level.

Ruth Birk: It's a competition with an extremely high level of players. Tell us what the appeal is.

Marco Gilardelli: It's a very attractive competition because it is a gathering of outstanding players.

Ruth Birk: The four nations that started the competition have participated in every edition. This is a unique commitment. Tell us what you think the secret is.

Marco Gilardelli: Besides the level of players, what is very attractive is the tradition of the International Clubs. That makes the IC commitment very strong. This year, the International Club of Great Britain celebrated its centenary by organizing an IC Week. Over the years, the IC has grown a lot in countries with English traditions, but now it's also growing in countries with Latin traditions.

Ruth Birk: Seven years ago, the women's competition began. What do you think about the level of the women's competition? Can it be compared to the men's level?

Marco Gilardelli: The level of the competition is rising significantly. It's certainly not easy because the Potter Cup has a tradition that spans many years, and the Two Presidents Cup is not yet well known among circuit players. I am personally trying to promote it to all the players finishing their professional careers in Italy. The Italian team currently here had WTA rankings between 100 and 150. In the men's team, there are players who had higher rankings.

Ruth Birk: What do you need to do to participate in the Potter Cup and be part of a team?

Marco Gilardelli: First, you need to be a member of the International Club of each country. Secondly, you must be selected to be part of the team. That is, if you're in shape, you might get in, or you might not. It is very prestigious to be part of a team.

Ruth Birk: Share an anecdote that you would like to highlight from your participation in the Potter Cup.

Marco Gilardelli: In the year 1992 we travelled with Sergio Tachini's private plane, with 5 former Davis Cup players: Sergio Tacchini, Beppe Merlo, Giordano Maioli, Giuseepe Pocci Merlo Maioli, Pesso, and me, Marco Gilardelli. In recent years, a player who has won a Grand Slam tournament has participated, such as Albert Costa or Manolo Orantes.

Ruth Birk: Congratulations, and from the RC Polo, we look forward to seeing you with excitement in the coming years.