The ITF (International Tennis Federation) World Team and Individual Championships are divided between ten age categories, 35 to 55 in the Seniors group and ten in the Super Seniors group, 60 to 80 for both Men and Women. The Seniors events are generally held over two weeks in the early part of the year and the Super Seniors in the Autumn in venues all over the world.
Great Britain traditionally enters teams in all the available events and has achieved medal-winning success on an increasingly regular basis
There was a strong representation from Kent Tennis players in the Great Britain teams competing at the ITF Super Seniors Events in Umag, Croatia in September 2012.
The Team Championships were held from 10-15 September with the Individual Championships following on from the 16-23 September.
Cynthia Smith captained the Over 80s Great Britain Ladies in the Doris Hart Cup. The Cup is named after the American tennis player, who won the Wimbledon Ladies Singles in 1951.
Austin Smith, the Kent County LTA President was there to support the Great Britain teams and individual competitors, which include his wife, Cynthia. Along with his support he had an extremely important role of baggage collector, which he has informed me he received less that minimum wage for!
Bob Milner captained the Over 75s Great Britain Men in the Bitsy Grant Cup. The Cup is named after the American tennis player, Bryan Morel “Bitsy” Grant Jr, who won the US Open Men’s Singles in 1930, 1934 and 1935.
Niall Sweeney captained the Over 60s Great Britain Men in the Von Cramm. The Cup is named after the German Tennis player, Baron Gottfried Von Cramm, who won the French Open Men’s Singles twice.
Also, Paul Drane played for the Over 80s Great Britain Men in the Gardnar Mulloy Cup. The Cup is named after the American player who reached the US Open Finals in 1952 and played the Senior circuit into his 90s.
Some players continued their stay in Croatia and played in the Individual Championships – results to come soon!