IC WEEK, MEXICO CITY

Some 120 players from a dozen ICs participated, with four events played at four different venues (Club Raqueta Bosques, Club France, Club Aleman and Reforma Athletic Club) across Mexico City. The competition was tough and playing at altitude the conditions were equally challenging despite the IC of GB team arriving a couple of days early to acclimatise.

The Mexican IC really made it a memorable week headed by Roberto Pullido and his team. Private tours of the Anthropology museum and Chapultepec castle were put on by the host nation for all participants along with several social events including a Gala dinner and local entertainment. Henk Nijeboer and Mike Dawe (IC of GB Captain) were both honoured to receive honorary memberships of the IC of Mexico. Magda Cantu was awarded honorary membership of the IC of GB.

Barbara Snapes said “A big thank you to the Mexicans for their hospitality and providing great hotel accommodation and wonderful facilities at which to compete. Aside from the tennis many of the GB players made new friends, ate and drank well, spent time relaxing at some of the clubs' wonderful pools and joined in the organised trips provided by the IC of Mexico.”

The Mercelis Trophy team of Vicky Brook, Katie Shaw and Barbara Snapes lost narrowly in the group stages to France (3-0 with two losses on final set tie-breaks) and Italy (2-1) – the two strongest teams in the event. Bolstered by a current tour player Italy went on to beat France in the final 2-1. The GB team beat the USA 3-0 and was given a walk-over against The Bahamas but unfortunately had to forfeit the play-off match against Luxembourg due to injury on the last day. Tough losses in the group stages meant the best place the team could finish was 6th overall.

The Columbus Trophy team of Tony King, Mike Dawe, Jeremy Woods, John Paish and Brian Snapes were unsuccessful in defending the Trophy held since the event was last held in Japan in 2009. Matches were played at the exclusive Reforma Club and the team got off to a good start with wins over the Bahamas (5-1) and France (3-3 won by a set) in the group stages. Unfortunately a semi-final loss to Austria (5-1) and a subsequent loss to Mexico (3-3 lost by 2 sets) in the play-off match meant the team finished 4^th overall. France beat Austria (3-3 won by a set) in a closely contested final to take the trophy home.

In the Juego de Pelota Henk Nijeboer and Roy Henderson put in solid performances despite losing Norman Church to injury before the event started. France finished unbeaten in first place followed by Mexico, USA, Great Britain and Austria.

The IC of GB, holders of the Windmill Trophy (Men Open, Men 45+) since it was last played in Washington in 2008, were unfortunately unable to field a team to defend the title.

Results

Mercelis Trophy (Ladies Open, Ladies 40+) – finished 6th

IC of GB team: Vicky Brook, Katie Shaw and Barbara Snapes

lost to Italy 2-1

lost to France 3-0

beat USA 3-0

beat The Bahamas w/o

lost to Luxembourg w/o

Columbus Trophy (Men 55+, Men 65+) – finished 4th

IC of GB team: Tony King, Mike Dawe, Jeremy Woods, John Paish and Brian Snapes

beat Bahamas 5-1

beat France 3-3 (won by 1 set)

lost to Austria 5-1

lost to Mexico 3-3 (lost by 2 sets)

Juego de Pelota (Men 70+) – finished 4th

IC of GB team: Henk Nijeboer, Roy Henderson and Norman Church (withdrew due to injury)

beat Austria 2-1

lost to USA 2-1

lost to Mexico 2-1

lost to France 2-1

Windmill Trophy (Men Open, Men 45+)

IC of GB team: did not enter