"We just love tennis": women's 75+ players inspire in Antalya
The women's singles 75 semi-finals at the ITF Masters (65-90+) World Individual Championships in Antalya, Turkiye, demonstrated the core of what the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour is all about: competition and friendship.
As Gail Benedetti, Nicole Hesse Cazaux, Kerry Ballard and Marjory Love lined up to battle it out for the gold medal, it was impossible to predict who would end up as the winner. These friends and rivals have battled it out before, most recently in the 75+ Queens Cup last week - Hesse Cazaux defeating Ballard 7-5 7-6, and Love defeating Hesse Cazaux 7-6 3-6 7-5 in two incredibly close matches.
However, it is not just the competitiveness that bonds these four exceptional players: the admiration and friendship between the women is also palpable.
Speaking of semi-final opponent Hesse Cazaux, Ballard said, "She always looks so gorgeous. We all look at her and think 'wow'".
Of the other semi-final between Benedetti and Love, Ballard had more compliments:
"Marjory is like a little Scottish terrier, she's just unbelievable," she said. "I don't know how she does it but she does. And then there's Gail. Everyone knows Gail, she's just an absolute legend".
That respect translates off the court, where the fierce contests between the players are left behind for a shared drink and laugh after the match. Love ultimately defeated Ballard in an epic three-set final, 3-6 6-4 6-4, after the pair beat Benedetti and Hesse Cazaux, respectively, in straight sets.
Despite the loss, Hesse Cazaux remained full of positivity for the women's 75 event:
"Everything was positive, the players, the people I met, the organisation," she said. "I have been playing on the Masters Tour since 2008. We like the climate [in Turkiye] and we like the competition at the World Championships".
The connection between the players runs deep. Benedetti remembers playing both Hesse Cazaux and Ballard in 2019.
"I beat them in Umag 5 years ago, but I am giving away a few years now [Benedetti is 78] and it's getting tougher and tougher to win," she said.
"I love the competition and competing, but equally I love the social vibes of the World Championships. Being able to come together with my friends on the tour, and to see the ITF staff working hard to put on a special event, makes me very happy".
Eventual champions Love also oozed respect for her fellow competitors.
"The level is really high, all the matches are hard. We all get on well off the court, and I am very proud to be able to compete against them and win this World Championship."
It is telling that all four players speak of the social aspect of the Masters Tour, as well as the competition. The relationships between the players, across the age groups, is clear to see. Whether it be competing on court, having a drink after the match, or eating dinner together, the World Championships creates a camaraderie like no other event.
Ballard sums it up nicely.
"You just want to come back to see everybody," she said. "I love the competition. Sometimes you think when you're playing with injuries, 'why the hell are you doing this?'. But you keep coming back to challenge to yourself and we just love tennis!"
There seems to be no stopping these four ambitious, inspirational characters, and we look forward to witnessing many more friendly battles in the year to come.