ITF

The ITF was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lorne Main, one of the finest players to ever compete on the ITF Seniors Circuit, who died in Vancouver at the age of 89. Such was Main's on-court prowess, he is one of only four recipients of the prestigious ITF Outstanding Achievement Award in Seniors Tennis. Indeed, he was the first, with his accomplishments honoured in 2012. Main's trophy-laden Seniors career was celebrated at the ITF World Champions Dinner at Pavillon D'Armenonville in Paris during Roland Garros where he was presented with his award, alongside a host of ITF World Champions, by former ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. In total, the Canadian won more than 40 Seniors titles in every age category from Men's 55s to Men's 85s, having started his Seniors adventure in 1986. He signalled his intent early by winning the Men's 55s singles in his debut year, which proved a sign of things to come over the next three decades. His exploits ensured that Main is one of the most successful players in the history of the ITF Seniors Circuit, while he demonstrated extraordinary levels of skill and fitness as he accumulated a host of medals and plaudits. Despite his considerable Seniors profile, Main's achievements were not solely reserved for his later years: he competed at 11 Grand Slam tournaments and won the Monte Carlo Masters in 1954. He was also a member of the Canadian Davis Cup team from 1949-1955, representing his nation in singles and doubles across 13 ties, while he also captained his country between 1958 and 1961. ITF President David Haggerty said: "It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Lorne Main, who did so much for the sport of tennis generally and for Seniors Tennis specifically. "Lorne's achievements are unparalleled and will not be forgotten, while his legacy will inspire players for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time." Main is survived by his wife Adrienne Avis, his four children – Kelly, Kevin, Kristine and Kasey – and four grandchildren. The ITF was saddened to learn of the death of Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas, the former President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, in November. Senator Abbas served back-to-back terms as President of Pakistan's National Association, holding office from 2002-2006 and then 2007-2010, a period during which the country's national tennis centre was established. The national tennis centre, named The S. Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, was opened in Islamabad in 2008 and continues to thrive, providing high-level clay and hard courts. A keen sportsman having played cricket to college/university standard, Abbas was an Honorary Lifelong Patron of the Pakistan Tennis Federation. He was also Senior Vice-President of the Asian Tennis Federation and a serving member of the ITF Constitutional Committee. ITF President David Haggerty said: "Mr Abbas was a hugely important and significant figure within the tennis and sporting landscape within Pakistan, epitomised by the national tennis centre being named in his honour. His presence will be sorely missed." LORNE MAIN SENATOR SYED DILAWAR ABBAS O B I T U A R Y ITFWorld // WINTER 2019/20 41 Washington will host Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tennis for the first time after it was confirmed that 18-time champions USA will entertain Latvia in their February Qualifier at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. The 8,300-capacity indoor court will provide the stage for the showdown – the first between the two nations in the competition's history – and determine who will progress to April's Fed Cup Finals in Budapest, Hungary. USA's clash with Latvia is one of eight Qualifiers to be played on 7-8 February. The victors of these ties will join 2018 finalists France and Australia, hosts Hungary and Czech Republic, who have been handed a wild card entry, at the Finals. The tournament's revamped format and 'World Cup of Tennis' structure was announced by the ITF in June and includes the staging of the Finals on the clay of the Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Arena. The new composition will see an increase from eight to 20 nations competing each year to become world champions, with 12 nations qualifying for the Finals and doing battle for a total prize fund of $18m. Latvia's Fed Cup history is nowhere near as illustrious as the USA's, although up until their most recent tie, a 3-1 loss to Germany in April, they were on a hot streak of form. Led by Jelena Ostapenko and Anastasija Sevastova, the Latvians won their previous six ties and will fancy their chances of toppling Kathy Rinaldi's outfit. That said, the weight of history is on the side of the USA, who were crowned Fed Cup champions in 2017 and reached the final 12 months ago before running into an inspired Czech Republic side. TARGET FOR TOKYO 2020 "It all looks very good, I like it – when I played in the World Team Cup here [in 2016], there were many problems for us, like many stairs, and it took a long time to get around to the toilets and courts, but they've changed many things," said Kamiji. "It's a very Japanese style of doing things carefully. The organisers care about many details, and they asked me and some other wheelchair players many questions about what we need, and they try to improve more – they want to make people feel welcome." Shingo Kunieda, a gold medallist at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, also played a short exhibition match at the test event and, like Kamiji, gave the ITF team his feedback. "The facility is very accessible – toilets, locker room – and has a lot of ramps, many more than before," said the 22-time Grand Slam winner, before discussing the prospect of the Games more widely. "I played at the Japan Open [in October]. It was the first time we played wheelchair tennis at that event and so many spectators came to watch. In the final, there were almost 2,500 people on Court No.1. "Japanese people are interested in Paralympics now. Sometimes a home match gives me more pressure, but sometimes the fans give me energy – and I hope it is energy that they give me."

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