Thrilling finale prompts national pride at ITF World Team Champs
Hosted this year in Manavgat, Türkiye, the 2023 ITF Masters World Team Championships (30-35-40-45-50) saw a record 160 teams compete for the ultimate award on the ITF Masters Tour: a World Championship gold medal.
An array of former ATP and WTA stars represented their nations at the Ali Bey Club, including former world No. 118 Matteo Viola of Italy and Germany’s Peter Torebko, who reached No. 182 in the ATP rankings. On the women’s side, Italy’s Alberta Brianti flew the flag for ex-Tour players having peaked at No. 55 in the WTA Rankings during her professional career.
The inaugural 30 Team Cup was dominated by Germany in both the men’s and women’s events. Former world No. 161 Anne Schaefer led her team to a 3-0 victory over Argentina to lift the title, capping a thoroughly impressive week. On the men’s side, a similar story unfolded: Germany defeating the USA 3-0 to claim the gold medal.
Contending with an exceptionally strong field, it was Italy that were ultimately crowned champions in the Italia Cup (M35). With all four singles players previously holding an ATP ranking within the Top 300, the level on show was of the highest quality. Italy triumphed over Germany 2-1, with two closely contested singles. In the Suzanne Lenglen Cup (W35), Italy doubled up on the gold medal positions as Brianti led a dominant team to a commanding 2-0 victory.
Elsewhere, Italy once again won the Tony Trabert Cup (M40). After splitting the singles, Alessandro Da Col and Giulio Di Meo teamed up to claim the decisive doubles. Germany, meanwhile, impressively retained their title in the Young Cup (W40) with serial gold-medallist Manon Kruse captaining the team to yet another victory at the World Team Championships.
France once again claimed the Dubler Cup (M45) in a repeat of the 2022 final with Spain. France also enjoyed success in the Margaret Court Cup (W45), defeating Germany in the final. Magali Malbet and Segolene Berger both won in straight sets to make it a double gold for France in the 45s category.
To round-off an exciting week of tennis, the Netherlands fought through a nail-biting final against France to lift the Fred Perry Cup (M50). After winning a singles match apiece, the Netherlands won a nervy encounter 6-4 5-7 10-5 to claim victory. To cap a highly successful week for Italy, the women’s team prevailed in the Maria Esther Bueno Cup (W50) against France. Valentina Padula and Michaela Uhnakova got the job done in singles to add to the Italian trophy haul.
Attention now turns to the 2023 ITF Masters 30-35-40-45-50 World Individual Championships this week, with players battling it out for individual glory across the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events in Manavgat.