Over 500 of the worlds best senior players from 36 countries tested their skills on the red clay courts in Mallorca , Spain during the week of April 27th to May 2nd. The USA came away with the world team title in two women’ divisions and one of the men’s divisions- the Margaret Court Cup(w 45s),
the Maureen Connolly Cup (w 55) and the Fred Perry Cup ( m 50). Of the 10 teams representing the USA 9 finished in the top 8. The USTA fielded 5 women’s teams and 5 men’s teams (35-55)
The Margaret Court Cup took on the defending champion, the Czech Republic, in the final. After coming close to loosing, Marianna Hollman pulled out her match at # 2 7-5 in the third followed by Gretchen Magers who went thru her opponent 6-0 6-1 to secure their team’s gold. The other team members were Fran Chandler ( captain) and Mary Dailey.
The Maureen Connolly Cup, the 2008 World Champion, had a fairly one-sided victory over Spain in the final. Joanne Russell won at #2 singles 6-1 6-1 followed by Tina Karwasky at #1 winning 6-2 6-1. Martha Downing ( captain) and Mary Ginnard easily won their doubles 6-2 6-0 and the US team was again the gold medal winner.
Before going on to the Fred Perry Cup final the US team, earlier in the day, had to play a deciding rain delayed doubles match in the semis against Austria- the teams were tied at one match all. Mike Fedderly and Val Wilder ( captain) sealed that victory in a gripping 7-5 7-6 win. The team then faced Germany, the defending champion, in the final. Fedderly and Peter Markes both won their singles in 2 sets squeaking by the second in tie-breaks. Ross Person was the 4th member of that team.
Joanne Russell Wins World Championship at the Individuals
In the individual World Championships held the week following the team events in Mallorca, Joanne Russell of Naples Fl beat Sherri Bronson in an all US final to win the women’s 55 world singles title. Joanne was unseeded and managed to go thru the draw without the loss of a set.
USA players won three World Doubles Championships. In another all US final Fran Chandler and Mary Dailey defeated Marianna Hollman and Myke Loomis to take gold in the women’s 45s. The 50 Women’s Doubles Championship went to the team of Susan Wright and Marianne Robertson.. Four Americans made the finals of the 50 men’s doubles with the team of Egan Adams and Dan Waldman taking the gold over Mike Fedderly and Val Wilder. Aside from Bronson ( w 55) two US players were silver medal winners in singles, Diane Fishburne in the women’s 50s and Mike Fedderly in the men’s 50s.