Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1067114
ITFWorld // WINTER 2018 05 understood and we have a clear vision and set of principles which resonate throughout global tennis. CONGRATULATIONS TO ITF WORLD CHAMPIONS In December, once the curtain had fallen on the year's competitive action, we were in a position to announce the 2018 ITF World Champions. There were some very worthy winners and I would like to draw your attention to the pages which immediately follow my presidential message as those who have had the ITF World Champion crown bestowed upon them are profiled in detail. I remember hearing an interview with Simona Halep when she was confirmed as the year-end No. 1-ranked player on the WTA Tour for 2017 and the Romanian said she did not see herself as the world's best as she was yet to win a Grand Slam. What an achievement to then go and triumph at Roland Garros, while the comeback of Novak Djokovic in the second half of 2018, which included the conquering of Wimbledon and the US Open, was a delight to watch. France's Clara Burel showed the resilience needed to succeed in tennis, winning the ITF Junior Masters in Chengdu having lost four previous finals during 2018, while Tseng Chun Hsin – a recipient of an ITF International Junior Player Grant – enjoyed a blistering year. But congratulations go to all ITF World Champions – Halep, Djokovic, Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, Mike Bryan and Jack Sock, Burel, Tseng, Diede de Groot, Shingo Kunieda and Dylan Alcott – and we look forward to celebrating their achievements with them at the ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris in June. Of course, Krejcikova and Siniakova were both members of the Czech Republic team which overpowered defending champions the United States in November's Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Prague. What a feat it was for the Czech Republic to show the levels of consistency needed to win six titles in eight years. Congratulations also go to Croatia following their defeat of France in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Lille. Marin Cilic showed such composure to see out that fourth rubber and provide a fitting conclusion to a thrilling year of Davis Cup action. Once again, I would like to offer my best wishes to everyone for the coming year, and wish all players contesting tournaments between now and the next edition of ITFWorld the best of luck. ■ ITF President David Haggerty with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Athlete Role Model Gabriela Sabatini at the Youth Olympic Games in October