36 Winter 2021 ITF World
ECUADOR
Federacion Ecuatoriana
de Tenis is headquartered
in the city of Guayaquil
where its National Tennis
Centre is located. This
facility has evolved a
lot over the years and
hosts many tournaments,
including Billie Jean
King Cup ties.
As with most countries
in South America, many
players in Ecuador play
the game at private clubs,
while the National Tennis
Centre also provides
opportunities. Work is
ongoing so this facility
can gain ITF certification.
The likes of Miguel
Olvera, Andres Gomez and
Nicolas Lapentti are big
names within Ecuadorian
tennis. Gomez remains
very active in the sport
and is involved in the
organisation of both
professional and junior
tournaments.
A big success for
Ecuador was reaching
the 2021 Davis Cup by
Rakuten Finals, while
another noteworthy
COLOMBIA
When thinking of Colombian tennis,
Robert Farah, Juan Sebastian Cabal and
their back-to-back Grand Slam doubles
titles at Wimbledon and the US Open
in 2019 spring immediately to mind.
What Robert and Juan have achieved is
fantastic – and it was amazing to watch them
compete for Colombia at the Davis Cup by
Rakuten Finals 2021 – but what is equally
wonderful is the emergence of Camila Osorio.
The 19-year-old received an ITF-administered
Grand Slam Development Fund player grant
in 2020, which followed ITF International
Junior Player Grants in 2018 and 2019 and
places on several GSDF/ITF Touring Teams.
Camila is now just outside the world's
top 50 and it will be fascinating to follow
her progress in the years ahead.
Federacion Colombiana de Tenis (FCT),
meanwhile, is headquartered in Bogota,
which is also home to the only National
Training Centre in South America with
ITF-granted Silver Level status.
This reflects the quality of facilities,
equipment, management, coaching teams,
sports science and player programmes at
Centro de Alto Rendimiento, which has
all the necessary infrastructure needed
for high-calibre player development.
Much takes place at Centro de Alto
Rendimiento, while FCT has 20 affiliated
leagues that work in partnership with
the national association to ensure the
development of tennis throughout the country.
It is worth noting that Colombia is a
reference point in the region for coaches'
education and in 2021 their gold-level ITF
recognition was renewed. It is a nation which
has a very active course calendar, organises
national congresses and, of all countries in the
world, is fourth on the list for most ITF
Academy registrants.
There is also a strong Junior Tennis Initiative
there, while Colombia is well-advanced in their
ITF World Tennis Number strategy and intends
to launch soon.
"
"
"
achievement for
the nation was their
boys' and girls' teams
qualifying for August's
ITF World Junior Tennis
Finals in Prostejov.
Ecuador has a very
active Junior Tennis
Initiative. There are some
impressive programmes
within schools and a
hugely productive Tennis
10s tournament schedule,
which is extremely
encouraging, as is their
approach to coaches'
education.
Earlier this year,
Ecuador obtained white
level status through
the ITF's Recognition of
Coach Education Systems
programme and an
increasing emphasis upon
coaching is pleasing.
"
Osorio in
ac on
CLICK FOR MAP VIEW
Ecuador at the
2021 Davis Cup Finals
DEVELOPMENT
R E A D M O R E
