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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Reflections on the IC Centenary Week from Anne Clark, IC of GB Chair

To summarise our ICGB Centenary week is not easy, but here goes……..

As I said at the Gala Ball, WOW!! What an amazing week which took 4 years in planning with an exceptional team. We are thrilled with the success of the week and appreciate all the thank you messages and good wishes – a real incentive for your ICs to arrange fixtures and develop initiatives to promote tennis and this unique Club.

A huge thank you to the AELTC for providing courts, facilities, catering alongside the social events held there- a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for many to play and visit the ‘of tennis’. Their teams provided excellent, friendly help and support. What an honour to be able to host our event there, providing a memorable experience for all who played and supported.

A few teams and supporters arrived early and we were grateful to The Roehampton Club for accommodating early hits - also thanks to The Wimbledon Club for assisting with courts during the week.

Practising on the Sunday with the Captains meeting followed by a fun evening showing many of the London sites on the Dixie Queen Paddle Steamer, with the added bonus of Tower Bridge opening.

The Windmill and Merciless trophies started on the Monday with a full day of play. Tuesday rain disrupted play but the well thought out contingency plans to use indoor courts helped our referee keep things on track. Wednesday the sun returned with a full days play again. The day was completed with a Summer Party in the Pergola close to the iconic Centre Court. Thursday saw the inaugural IC Wheelchair competition with teams from Great Britain, Spain and a mixed team of Ireland and Brazil. Spain were the overall winners – the first time playing on grass for a few. We were delighted that both Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett called in to say hello.  

Friday it was on to the semi finals with the standard of tennis being very high. There was also a junior tournament with four teams from Glasgow, Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, Edgbaston Priory and Team Adderstone from Northumberland of 12 and 13 year-old boys and girls. Adderstone were the winners with all the juniors finding this a once in a life-time opportunity. This was one of the activities highlighting the IC Philanthropy Foundation (see IC Philanthropy (ictennis.net) ) who were prominent throughout the week promoting their projects.

A High Tea took place in the Terrace in the surrounds of Centre Court followed by a presentation ceremony on Centre Court (at least by the side of!) ably compered by Sam Smith. Sam interviewed John Barrett who impressively read out the IC Poem from memory. A number of Honorary Memberships were awarded skillfully lead by our Chair of the IC Council, Peter McQuibban. The session was completed with Sam speaking with Emily Arbuthnott one of our IC of GB new younger members, who is helping with the IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge, about her thoughts and ideas looking to the future of the IC.

A breezy, slightly overcast but warm day set the scene for Finals day on Saturday. The finals of the Windmill between Italy and Spain, with Spain winning a deciding Championship tie-break with the match being 3 matches all, 8 rubbers all. The ladies finals saw Germany beat Australia. The Orsini (men’s consolation) was between Mexico and Belgium with Belgium winning and the Winnie Wooldridge (ladies’ consolation) saw USA beating Czech Republic.

The Week was completed superbly with a fantastic Gala Ball at the Grosvenor House Hotel – the décor, food and entertainment was incredible and the whole evening flawlessly planned and managed. Speeches were kept to a minimum (we made sure of that J).

Other points to note; the merchandise, including tennis balls with the IC100 logo, kit, ties, water flasks, stress balls, towels PINs, pens were all high quality, the Centenary book – well worth a read, our volunteers (including the buddy system), our officials, stringer, physio, the photographers and reporters, the organisation of the group and team photos and the team videos, the website, security arrangements, croquet, the chance for a few teams to play at the AELTC Raynes Park Community Centre, the formal Wimbledon Club tours had an added bonus being able to watch top class tennis during their visits…….

So many thank yous…… what a rewarding experience. Such exciting memories.

For more details of the week, photos and videos www.centenary.ictennis.net.

Anne Clark
Chair, IC of GB

To read detailed reports on each day of the event, click here.

To view the match results, click here.