ITF WORLD MASTERS
Bucks players Helen Adams and Aidan Graveson were selected to represent Great Britain at the ITF Masters World Team Championships this summer. The ITF Masters tour provides different global venues for team championships across age groups ranging from 30+ to 90+ and this year the competitions for the 40 and 45 age groups were held in Lisbon and its neighbouring coastal municipality, Oerias in Portugal from 2-7 August.
It was a celebration of high-level tennis and international competitive spirit with 87 teams from 32 nations involved across the two age groups in men’s and women’s events with some nations featuring former or active ATP, WTA and Davis Cup players. GB team selection is based on players’ performances at some of the national senior ITF in the preceding 12 months, alongside ranking or other achievements.
After a practice on the first day to get used to the clay courts, players took part in an opening ceremony akin to a mini Olympics where each team hoisted its flag and walked onto centre court to the sound of its national anthem. This was followed by cocktails and a performance by a Portuguese youth dance troupe. On day two the tennis started, with three days of group matches and three days of knockout, each tie comprising two singles and a doubles. In a nice custom before play, opposing teams exchanged a pennant and a small gift to commemorate the tie.
Helen’s teammates were Liz Thomas (captain), Boglarka Berecz-Szatmari and Samantha Spry in the Young Cup (women's 40+). The team were slightly unlucky to face number 1 seeds – and eventual champions – Italy in their first match. Italy’s line-up included former World No. 55 Alberta Brianti and they won all three rubbers despite some gritty resistance from the GB team. After beating the Faroe Islands convincingly in the other group match, GB then advanced to the 9-12th place draw. 2-1 wins over Switzerland and Finland followed to secure 9th place. A great effort - just a shame to face the top team on the first day.
22 teams competed in the Dubler Cup (men’s 45+), with an array of ex top 100 ATP players participating as well as the current active Pakistan Davis Cup duo! Aidan’s teammates were Thomas Wride (c), Anthony Perkins and Tariq Khalifa competing in the Dubler Cup (45+). The Brits missed out from being seeded, and were drawn into a tough group with Switzerland and Germany. It was the seeded Germans up first for the Brits who proved to strong and powerful securing a 3-0 win, but after regrouping the following day, GB inflicted a convincing 3-0 defeat on the Swiss team resulting in a second-place finish in the group stage, and progression to the 9-15th place knock out draw. Starting to feel more at home on the European clay, solid performances and 3-0 victories against an energetic Japan and a competitive Australia ended with a 9/10 play off against France on the final day. France ultimately took the final rubber to land the 2-1 win resulting in GB finishing up in a very respectable 10th place.
“Overall, it was a brilliant experience and a privilege to represent Great Britain! We’re appreciative of all the lovely words of encouragement and congratulations we’ve received from friends, family and the county tennis community.”
