Report on the ITF Super-Seniors World  Championships
Club Ali Bey Manavgat, Antalia, Turkey
October 2005

Venue

Club Ali Bey was established in 1991 by German interests as a major tourist resort catering for tennis enthusiasts primarily from Germany and Russia.    It has 450 rooms and 900 beds in Ottoman villas which are embellished with the most beautiful examples of wood and ceramic arts. It has its own beach on the Mediterranean Sea, and with three restaurants, a stage theatre, shops and 61 tennis courts is an outstanding complex of the highest standard. It has hosted Federation Cups, Davis Cups, Satellite tournaments and in recent years the Seniors and Super Seniors events. In his opening address the ITF representative referred to it as being the best tennis centre in the world, and from a players perspective this is probably correct. It is definitely the largest centre in the Mediterranean region. During the first week the team events for the von Cramm Cup (60+) men, and the Marble Cup (60+) women and Gibson Cup (70+) women were held at another resort close by with similar facilities.

Opening Ceremony

Opening ceremonies were held on each Sunday prior to the team and individual events on the centre court which has a seating capacity of over 300. Entertainment was provided by excellent Turkish dancers giving a performance of traditional Turkish dances. The opening ceremony was followed by a cocktail party, and as all players had meals provided at the resort’s dining areas it avoided the usual “bun fight”.

Special Dinners

One official dinner had been arranged for players and accompanying guests each week and this was held at the open air restaurant on the beach.  However because the weather had turned cold on the night of the first dinner for the team members the management provided a second dinner at no extra costs to the organizers in the hope that more players would stay for the entertainment. In addition special dinners for players only were provided at the beach restaurant each week.

Overseas Representation

Teams from twenty six countries competed in the event with over 250 individuals plus many accompanying persons. Australia was one of the few countries with representation in all events. Countries represented were:-

Performance Of Australian Teams

Women

Men

Highlights

Individual Teams

Godfrey Cup

Notwithstanding the hospitalisation of two team members during the week this team was able to come through and in the finals were successful over the strong French team which included a prior Wimbledon champion. An outstanding effort. The Kitt Godfreee Cup is presented annually to the winning team for women in the 65 Age Group and was first presented by the Veterans Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain in 1995 in honour of the late Kitty Godfree. In the eleven years that it has been competed for this was the first victory for Australia.  As Captain our Nola Collins had the “privilege” of being custodian of the magnificent cup and the hassles associated with carrying it back to Australia as additional baggage.

The Winning Team Godfrey Cup

Crawford Cup

The quarter final match against Austria was undoubtedly the longest of any event during the week. Starting at 10 a.m. and finally finishing under lights at 7.30 p.m. the Austrians managed to sneak a win by the narrowest of margins.

Mulloy Cup

This team lost only one match throughout the tournament, but unfortunately it was the first match against Sweden when players were becoming adjusted to the differing styles of players used to clay surfaces.

        Venue

The best possible with staff and management geared to providing facilities and service befitting an international resort on the Turkish Riveria.

Whilst the tournament was in progress there were over 200 tennis coaches from around the world attending what is regarded as one of the best coaching seminars in the world. Australian coaches were in attendance.

Weather

Considering we are approaching the end of the summer season the temperature was quite warm in the first days of the tournament. High 20’s with mild balmy nights excellent for outdoor dining. Tennis in the morning followed by a swim in the Mediterranean!! However after a violent storm on the Sunday morning prior to the commencement of the tournament the weather cooled down, and with strong winds for a couple of days conditions were challenging.

Clay Courts

Players experiencing the European clay surfaces for the first time needed some time to adjust to the new surface and particularly the strokes needed to produce winners.  It soon became evident that the “moon ball” and the “drop shot” were attacking shots and for many players more effective than our traditional serve/volley game.

        Overall management of the tournament

Excellent with no reasonable complaints from players.   Court administration was provided by University students on vacation and with almost unlimited numbers.

        Individual Events

Full results are available at www.92computing.com.au however the following Queensland players deserve special mention for their success at the highest level of Seniors Tennis.