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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Victory for the IC of Czech Republic at the IC Jiri Medonos Cup by Deltroit (formerly CQS IC June in Prague)

The IC of the Czech Republic recently hosted an unforgettable event at the prestigious I. Czech Lawn Tennis Club (www.cltk.cz) on Stvanice Island. This year’s tennis tournament brought together distinguished players from ICs of various countries, including the Czech Republic, Spain, Great Britain, and Ireland.

A total of 25 players and special guests participated in the event, highlighting the exceptional talent and camaraderie within the international tennis community. Special guests Jakub Medonos, Marek Medonos (sons of Jiri Medonos) and Peter McQuibban (the Chairman of IC Council) added to the event's prestige.

In the final standings, the Czech Republic triumphed, securing the top position. Great Britain followed in second place, while the international team claimed the third spot. The tournament not only provided a platform for high-level competition but also fostered a spirit of friendship and sportsmanship among participants, embodying the core values of the IC community.

A significant highlight of the event was the ceremony held on Wednesday to honor the memory of Jiri Medonos, the esteemed captain of the Czech team. This tribute set a tone of reverence and respect for the contributions of past members to the sport and the club's rich history.

The celebrations extended beyond the tennis courts with an official IC dinner held near the scenic Vltava River at Sovovy mlýny. This elegant gathering provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the tournament’s event.

On Saturday, participants enjoyed sightseeing in Prague’s historic Old Town, immersing themselves in the rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture of the Czech capital. This excursion allowed guests to connect on a personal level formed through the shared interest in tennis.

We would like to also express our sympathy to Helena Sukova, who was the president of the Czech IC for a remarkable 25 years. Her dedicated leadership, vision and commitment have been truly inspiring, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence.

Results:

• The IC of Czech Republic scored 98 points
• The IC of Great Britain scored 95 points
• The International team (made up of representatives from the ICs of Spain and Ireland and Jiri Medonos’s sons) scored 50 points.