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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Winterbotham IC Junior Series

After successful events at the National Tennis Centre and Albany Tennis Academy the third event in The Winterbotham IC Junior Series moved to the Raquet Centre at Baha Mar last weekend and broke records for young under 10’s and 12’s participating.

There were 46 juniors in this round robin series at Baha Mar for the youngest of competitors. Most juniors had 5 matches over the weekend to give them maximum experience and enjoyment.  This time there were even three overseas players in the Boy’s 12 & under from USA and Ecuador adding extra interest. Several late entries that came in after the close and the draw had been done could not be accepted or it would have been over 50 juniors - quite a challenge for the organisers with over 100 matches to be played !  Fortunately the weather held….although windy!

One great feature was that Karl Vukobrat, the Tennis Director at Baha Mar, converted their grass court in to 6 Mini Tennis courts with soft sponge balls. This was for fun play outside of the actual tournament. It was a great success with all the juniors and even some of their younger brothers and sisters who were not in the tournament. It was a superb mixer for everyone in a fun environment. 

Meanwhile it was tournament action Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday on six hard courts.  After the round robins there were play offs between opposite numbers all the way down each group.  The resulting winners in addition to their Winterbotham IC Trophies and a good tennis experience got a “Free Entry” to the major “Little Mo” tournament in Florida ( worth $200).

The winners were: Michael Major in the Boys 12’s who after some good matches held off the competition from the three overseas players with Tito Chavez from Ecuador the Runner up. In the girls 12’s Sierra Rogers won over her good friend Saphirre Ferguson. In the Boys 10’s it was a final of two Patricks with the young Patrick Mactaggart coming through over the older Patrick Mackey. In the girls 10’s Breann Ferguson won with Millie Beukes the runner up. The “Charlie Farrington” Sportsmanship award went to Saphirre Ferguson.  

The IC ( International Tennis Club) is an organisation of top tennis players with clubs in 40 countries and with the motto of “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean”. It maintains tennis friendships and competition across all ages up to even 75 year olds. It also  to aims to give back to tennis - the “game for life”.  The IC is delighted with the success and participation in this series and extends a big thank you to both The Racquet Centre at Baha Mar and to Winterbotham Trust Company for their support.  The conduct of the juniors was excellent and supportive of each other. It is a great sign for the future of Bahamian tennis. It is quite possible all those competing could get tennis scholarships to University if they keep working at their games and their academics.  Either way they are making friendships and enjoying a game they can play all their life.

The main organisers at this series are IC Members  Neil Mactaggart, Mickey Williams, Bradley Bain and Kit Spencer. For more information on the worldwide IC organisation go to www.ictennis.net.