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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Vosloorus Development Programme, IC South Africa

Three development players from the Vosloorus program, the IC Philanthropy project in South Africa. had the time of their lives at the inter provincial over the weekend.

Due to the pandemic it was decided that this year the event would be region based with the inland provinces meeting in Johannesburg and Pretoria and the coastal regions at the coast to minimize travelling. The three regions of Gauteng plus Kwa Zulu Natal (Free State were invited but did not participate) under 13 teams played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and the under 19 teams in Pretoria. This put Gauteng East with the three strongest teams in the country and certainly gave our local province some insight as to the quality of play in the other provinces.

In the under 13 team Thando Xolo and Wandile Tshabalala (pictured together) acquitted themselves extremely well under their baptism of inter provincial tennis. Coach Michael Lelosa said, "They left their hearts on the court" and we could not ask for more of the kids seeing as it was their first experience of play at this level.

Likewise, Nkosikhona Ubisi (in the green shirt), although he has represented his province before, came up against stronger opposition than he has faced when playing in tournaments, but again his team manager, Deserie Wilson said "You can be proud of his performances."

The lessons they have learnt will be a valuable stepping stone in their tennis career and they can only become better players for this type of experience and when they play in the next tournament in two weeks there is sure to be a noticeable improvement in their play.

We thank both Gauteng East junior committee for giving these players the opportunity and also commend Tennis SA for staging the event within the confines of Covid 19.