ITF

ITF SENIORS CIRCUIT At the end of 2012 over 23,500 players had registered for a Seniors IPIN T he ITF Seniors Circuit continued to grow in 2012, with almost 300 tournaments staged in more than 60 countries. Over 22,000 players took part in 21 age categories from 35-and-over to 85-and-over for the men and 35-and-over to 80-and-over for the women. This year was also notable for the introduction of Seniors IPIN (International Player Identification Number). All seniors players are now able to manage their tournament schedule using the IPIN online entry system, including entering and withdrawing from tournaments and viewing the acceptance lists of upcoming events. IPIN has also meant a number of related benefits for the ITF Seniors Circuit including the introduction of doubles and mixed doubles rankings. Once again USA dominated the Super-Seniors World Championships, winning seven Team Championship titles to equal the haul they had won in Turkey in 2011. Only France and Canada, who successfully defended the Kitty Godfree (women's 65) and Doris Hart Cups (women's 80) respectively, and Austria in the Jack Crawford Cup (men's 70) prevented a clean sweep for the Americans. The performances of Peter Pokorny from Austria and Tina Karwasky from USA were particularly impressive as they were the only players to win three titles across both world championships. The Seniors World Championships, which took place in San Diego, USA in February, attracted 163 teams and almost 750 individuals. In the team events USA took home only one title, the Maureen Connolly Cup (women's 55), with European teams dominating the younger age categories. France won the Italia Cup (men's 35), Tony Trabert Cup (men's 40), Fred Perry Cup (men's 50) and Young Cup (women's 40), and were also runners-up to Italy in the Dubler Cup (men's 45), to Great Britain in the Suzanne Lenglen Cup (women's 35) and to Ireland in the Margaret Court Cup (women's 45). The Irish team's achievement was especially notable as it marked the first time Ireland had won a Seniors World Team Championship. Players from the host nation dominated the individual events, claiming seven of the 10 singles titles, eight of the 10 doubles titles and three of the five mixed doubles titles. Of the American singles winners, Jeff Tarango in the men's 40, Jennifer Dawson in the women's 45 and Rosalyn Nideffer in the women's 50 all won the title in their first appearance at the Seniors World Individual Championships. Canada's Lorne Main was honoured at the ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris for his achievements in Seniors Tennis. Main is the most successful player in the history of ITF Seniors Tennis having won 13 ITF Seniors/Super-Seniors World Team Championships titles, 14 World Individual Championships singles titles and 13 World Individual Championships doubles titles in his career. DEVELOPMENT 21

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