Former ATP, WTA players shine at ITF World Team Championships
Hosted this year in Lisbon, Portugal, the 2024 ITF Masters World Team Championships (30-35-40) saw an impressive 100 teams compete for the ultimate award on the ITF Masters Tour: a World Championship gold medal.
An array of former ATP and WTA stars were present throughout the age groups, including former world No. 99 Pedro Sousa of Portugal, France’s Gleb Sakharov, who reached No. 153 in the ATP rankings, and current ATP No. 986 Mark Whitehouse of Great Britain.
On the women’s side, Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez flew the flag for ex-Tour players, with a peak of No. 19 in singles and No. 4 in doubles during her WTA professional career. Italy’s Alberta Brianti, a Masters Tour star, was also present - Brianti reached a career-high of No. 55 in the WTA rankings. Both players were pivotal to their teams' ultimate success on Finals day.
The second edition of the 30 Team Cup was again dominated by Germany in both the men’s and women’s events. Last year's champions successfully defended their titles with formidable teams. The German men boasted two former ATP Tour players in Jakob Sude and Nils Brinkmann. The pair were ruthless throughout the week but were pushed all the way by the USA in the gold medal match. Ultimately, the Germans got the job done with a 6-2 6-2 victory in the deciding doubles against Jayson Amos and Chris Kipouras.
A host of former Tour players also littered the W30 Cup final, as Germany defeated a spirited Great Britain side. Romy Koelzer produced an impressive performance to take down Alex Walker 6-1 6-4 in the second singles, before an epic battle ensued between the German and British number ones. In the heat of the day, it was eventually the German Jil Nora Engelmann who overcame Laura Deigman 6-4 6-7 7-5 to clinch the title for the defending champions.
Contending with an exceptionally strong field, it was France that were crowned champions in the Italia Cup (M35). With a number of former and current ATP-ranked players competing, the level on show was of the highest quality. France triumphed over Great Britain 2-1, with two closely contested singles sending the tie to a deciding doubles. Sakharov and Franck Pepe edged out a nervy contest in straight sets to get their hands on the trophy. In the Suzanne Lenglen Cup (W35), Italy defended their title from 2023, as Brianti and Gatto-Monticone led a dominant team to a commanding 2-0 victory over home hopes Portugal.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands caused an upset as they won the Tony Trabert Cup (M40). In one of the most exciting climaxes of recent years, the Dutch team fought back from a set and a break down to win the deciding doubles rubber 2-6 7-6 10-8 and spark jubilant celebrations from the crowd. In the Young Cup (W40), former WTA No. 19 Martinez Sanchez teamed up with Cristina Fontelles Sureda to snatch the gold medal from 2023 champions Germany.
With serial gold-medallist Manon Kruse captaining the Germans, Spain had a difficult assignment. Nuria Llagostera came out on top of a rollercoaster second singles in three sets, while Kruse evened the tie with a smooth 6-3 6-3 win in the first singles. Fittingly, the match came down to the final doubles rubber, with superstar Martinez Sanchez providing the quality needed for Spain to lift the trophy. The pair defeated Kruse and Stephanie Lautenschlaeger 6-4 6-0 to seal victory.
Attention now turns to the 2024 ITF Masters 30-35-40 World Individual Championships this week, with players battling it out for individual glory across the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events in Lisbon.