INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION (ITF)
By Billy E. Crawford November 11, 2011
Many of us are familiar with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), but less familiar with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). I knew very little about this world tennis organization until I learned that Lester Sack of New Orleans was playing and serving as Captain of this years’ USA ITF 75M Super-Senior Team.
Let’s do a short history. The ITF is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national team associations. Established in 1913, its headquarters is located in London, England.
Its major functions include the operation of the:
Davis Cup for men
Fed Cup for women
Hopman Cup for mixed team
Junior tennis
Wheelchair tennis
Senior Team and Individual World Championships
Super-Senior Team and Individual World Championships.
Now, after that short history lesson, we will continue with the main purpose of this article: the Super Seniors. Why? Two New Orleans men have participated in this very prestigious competition. Nehemiah Atkinson played for the United States ITF Gardnar Mulloy Cup Team (80-84 age) in the 1999, 2000, and 2001. Lester Sack played for the United States ITF Senior Dubler Cup (45s) in 1986. He was Captain of this year’s United States Bitsy Grant Cup Team (75-79 age). The USA team was comprised of Herman AHLERS, King VAN NOSTRAND, John POWLESS, and Lester SACK.
The ITF Senior Circuit Mission Statement:
The IFT Senior Circuit seeks to promote the growth, development and continuing interest for Senior’s tennis through the conduct of international competitions throughout the world, which engenders good will between nations. The ITF Senior Circuit is comprised of the best international senior tournaments staged by its Member nations worldwide, including the annual IFT Seniors/Super-Seniors World Team and Individual Championships.
Antalya, Turkey was the host city for the 2011 World Team Super-Senior Championships (October 9-16) and the World Individual Championships for Super-Seniors (October 17-23).
In 1993, due to the tournaments increasing popularity, the ITF took the decision to divide it into two separate events. Seniors for the younger veterans (ages 35-55) for both men and women and Super-Seniors from 60-85 for men and 60-80 for women.
The first week was devoted to team play and the second week was devoted to Individual competition.
2011 TEAM RESULTS:
In the 2011 Team Super-Senior Championship, the Americans won the Bitsy Grant Cup (75M) with victories over:
Switzerland 3-0 and Norway 3-0
Netherlands 3-0 in Playoffs
Australia 3-0 in the Championship Final Match.
(Each competition consists of two singles matches and one doubles match.)
2011 INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
In the Individual Super-Senior Championship Tournament, Lester SACK defeated:
Arnaud HASTOY of Switzerland 6-0, 6-1
Derek LAWER of South Africa 6-2, 6-2
Thadee POLAK of France 6-1, 6-0
#1 seed Gerd COLDEWEY 6-2, 7-6 (3)
Peter FROELICH of Australia 6-3, 6-1
Lester SACK then faced fellow American King VAN NOSTRAND in the FINALS, losing 6-2, 6-4. VAN NOSTRAND was defending his title, having won each year since 2008.
In the Individual Championships, over 480 players (women and men) from 31 countries competed in 11 age categories from 60-and-over to 85-and-over.
Mr. Sack was selected to serve as Team Captain by the USTA Selection Committee.
He reflects on the responsibilities of this honored position.
“ It was an honor to be named Team Captain, however, it did involve some work. Checking out details and arrangements with the team, making sure everyone received the information that was needed, and deciding on a team lineup for each match were just a few of the duties.”
In describing the team, he states, “ we had a really strong team, with everyone close in playing ability. Because of this I wanted to give each person a chance to play. We did not loose a match or a set during the entire tournament. Even through we would win the first two singles, we still played the doubles.
We played on gravelly red clay courts in weather about 10 degrees cooler than in New Orleans. The speed of the courts was similar to our clay courts in the United States.
Complete final results of all team and individual competitions are available at http://beta.itftennis.com
The ITF Senior Championships will take place in San Diego, California in February, 2012.
The ITF Super-Senior Championships will take place in Umag, Croatia in September, 2012.
