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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The IC of Spain takes home the IC Jiri Medonos Cup by Deltroit

As every year, the I. Czech Lawn Tennis Club on the island of Štvanice became the centre of international tennis atmosphere for several days in June. As part of the traditional event organized by the IC of the Czech Republic under the name IC Jiri Medonos Cup by Deltroit, representatives of eight countries competed there - the home team welcomed teams from the United States, Great Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg and Ireland.

This year’s edition marked the debut of the Spanish team, which made an immediate impact not only on the clay courts but on the entire tournament. Thanks to impressive performances and excellent form, Spain claimed the championship trophy, finishing four points ahead of second-placed Great Britain. Canada secured third place, completing the trio of top-performing teams.

Final Team Standings:
1st Place – Spain
2nd Place – Great Britain
3rd Place – Canada

The tournament brought together more than 80 guests, including team supporters and IC friends. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was filled with healthy competition and a spirit of camaraderie – a hallmark of the International Clubs community.

The social highlight of the event was the gala dinner held at the elegant Art Restaurant Mánes, situated directly on the banks of the Vltava River with scenic views of Prague’s skyline. The evening featured gift exchanges, speeches, and heartfelt words of appreciation not only for the organizers but for all participants. This moment once again confirmed that IC events are about building international friendships united by a passion for tennis.

Saturday morning was dedicated to the guided sightseeing tour of Prague, taking in the historic center from the Powder Tower to Národní třída.

Adding an unexpected highlight, guests had the chance to see top Czech professional players practicing on nearby courts during the event, providing a unique glimpse into high-level training and adding to the unforgettable atmosphere of the weekend.