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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Meet a Member: John Feaver, IC of Great Britain

John Feaver has been a dedicated member of the IC of Great Britain since 1972. Reflecting on his long association with the club, he acknowledges how quickly time has passed, while certain memories remain vivid. Hailing from Dorset, England, John was fortunate to know Derek Hardwick – a distinguished figure in tennis who was both a farmer and a member of the IC of GB and The All England Club – who proposed John’s membership to the IC. By that time, John had already qualified for The Australian Open and had reached the final of the then Galea Cup, a prestigious under-21 team competition in France, which his team won. A year later, he was officially invited to join the IC of GB, a proud moment marked by Derek presenting him with the club’s distinctive silver and pink tie.

John’s first match for the IC of GB, however, had taken place a couple of years earlier when he was invited to play as a junior guest against the IC of France in Paris, the day before the French Open. It was a thrilling experience, although at the time, he had only £5 to his name. On the evening before the match, fate offered an unforgettable moment when the British Davis Cup team passed by his small hotel and invited him to dinner. Dining alongside tennis greats such as Mark Cox, Roger Taylor and John Paish was an incredible experience, although it nearly turned disastrous. With limited funds, he could only afford one dish—steak tartare—without realizing what it was. When the raw steak arrived, he was horrified but forced himself to eat it, despite feeling unwell. Nevertheless, the following day he managed to win his match in three sets on a slow red clay court; an achievement he recalls vividly even after 53 years.

For John, the essence of the IC Club lies in the friendships it fosters and the lasting bonds it creates. He values the shared outlook on life among its members, who come together for competition, camaraderie, and enjoyment. Language differences never present a barrier, as the moment a player steps into a new tennis club as an IC guest, a sense of belonging is immediate. He believes the global IC movement uniquely unites individuals across generations and cultures, fostering an enduring connection through the club’s colours and traditions. While youthful competitiveness and fitness drive early achievements, other values gain prominence over time.

In 2024, John had the honour of serving as President of IC GB and helping to host the Club’s Centenary at The All England Club. The event saw the participation of 33 countries over the course of a week, with some players experiencing grass courts for the first time. The variety of playing styles on display was fascinating. The entire week was a celebration both on and off the court, culminating in a highly competitive final match that concluded just minutes before the Gala Dinner began. The event was filled with remarkable tennis, entertainment, laughter, and even some less-than-impressive dancing. However, one constant remained—the enduring colours and spirit of the IC Club, which continue to unite players across generations and borders.