Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/560492
ITFWORLD SUMMER 2015 1 www.itftennis.com Front cover photography by SMP Images. EDITOR Joanne Burnham CONTRIBUTORS Stuart Fraser is a freelance sports journalist who has covered tennis for a number of different media outlets in the UK including the Daily Mail, The Sun and BBC Radio Scotland. He was a reporter for the London 2012 Olympic News Service at Wimbledon. Sandra Harwitt, the author of The Greatest Jewish Tennis Players Of All Time, has covered tennis and other sports for over 25 years. She is a regular contributor to ESPN.com and Associated Press. Marshall Thomas is a freelance media consultant who has been working in Paralympic sport for over 15 years, concentrating on disability tennis for the last 14 years. Leigh Walsh is a former Irish tennis player who switched her racket for a pen five years ago. Currently based in London, she now spends her time as a freelance sports writer, working for the ITF, Wimbledon, ATP World Tour, Australian Open, LiveWire Sport and Premier League, among others. PHOTO CREDITS AFP/Getty Images, Corinne Dubreuil, Mathilde Dusol, Gill Elliott, Ray Giubilo, Imagellan, ITHF, Sergio Llamera, Giorgio Maiozzi, Daniel Maurer, Fred and Susan Mullane, Orla O'Brien, Jorge Reyes, Fabrizio Romiti, Art Seitz, SMP Images, Srdjan Stevanovic, Takeo Tanuma, Berta Tintore, Steve Wake, Paul Zimmer. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Clarus · www.clarus-design.com ITFWorld is published by ITF Ltd, PO Box N-272, Nassau, Bahamas. All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of ITFWorld may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publishers accept no responsibility for return of manuscripts, photos or artwork, but if you send material you must include an SAE. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that all editorial material is factually correct at the time of going to press, we cannot accept responsibility if any errors occur and for matters arising as a result. Views expressed in ITFWorld do not necessarily reflect official ITF policy. It should not be inferred that products advertised in this magazine are officially approved by the ITF. © 2015 ITF Ltd. Please address all correspondence regarding ITFWorld to Joanne Burnham, ITF Communications Department, ITF Licensing UK Ltd, Bank Lane, Roehampton, London SW15 5XZ, UK. Email: joanne.burnham@itftennis.com IN THIS ISSUE 2 WELCOME MESSAGE From ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. 4 RIO HERE WE COME An update on the latest developments from Rio with less than a year to go until Olympic tennis arrives in South America. 6 AN INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCO RICCI BITTI As his 16-year tenure comes to an end, Francesco Ricci Bitti reflects on what has been achieved during his time at the helm of the ITF. 10 A GIANT LEAP The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal nations are one step closer to winning the 2015 competition. Stuart Fraser reflects on a successful weekend for Argentina, Australia, Belgium and the fast-rising Brits. 14 SERENA SUMMER Roland Garros and Wimbledon belonged to just one woman, and now Serena Williams has the Grand Slam in her sights. It could have been a similar story for Novak Djokovic, but for Stan Wawrinka. Leigh Walsh reports. 20 JUNIOR SLAM SPOTLIGHT: ROLAND GARROS AND WIMBLEDON Sandra Harwitt introduces the juniors who excelled at the midsummer majors. 24 SIX OF THE BEST IN WHEELCHAIR TENNIS With the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour in full swing, Marshall Thomas profiles six notable players to watch as thoughts turn to Rio next year. 26 WHEELING INTO HISTORY Great Britain has already collected a men's team title in 2015 – the BNP Paribas World Team Cup. Marshall Thomas reports. 28 HONOURING CHAMPIONS The best performers of 2014 were celebrated at the ITF World Champions Dinner, and Mary Carillo was honoured with the Philippe Chatrier Award. 30 SENIORS SNAPSHOT ITFWorld presents a photographic look at the action from the prestigious ITF Young Seniors and Seniors World Team and Individual Championships. 33 A SHARED HERITAGE A look at the work and aims of the Centenary Tennis Clubs Association. 34 NEWS ROUND-UP Key ITF stories from the last three months. 36 LOOKING AHEAD The calendar for the remainder of the year. CONTENTS SUMMER 2015 THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION'S OFFICIAL MAGAZINE 58 14 28 10 30