New England Wins the 45th Annual Addie Cup on Home Turf

The extremely active and competitive senior women’s tennis circuit continues to grow stronger each year, and few events exemplify that spirit better than the Pauline Betz Addie Cup.

Established in 1981, the Pauline Betz Addie Cup is one of the nation’s most prestigious women’s age-group team tennis competitions. The event brings together teams from the Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, Middle States and New England sections to compete in singles and doubles across the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s age divisions. It is named in honor of Pauline Betz Addie, a five-time Grand Slam champion and Wimbledon winner whose accomplishments helped pave the way for generations of women in tennis.

The four sections rotate hosting responsibilities each year. The Cup winner is determined by total matches won out of a possible 19 across the five age divisions. A team must capture at least 10 lines to secure the overall victory. This year’s 45th edition of the competition was held June 11–12 at Longwood Cricket Club in Brookline, MA, providing New England with the opportunity to compete for the trophy on home courts.

Longwood Cricket Club proved to be a magnificent host. Players were welcomed for practice on Wednesday, courts were prepared well in advance, and the club organized a beautiful banquet that allowed competitors from all four sections to connect and celebrate the event’s rich tradition.

Competition began in hot and humid conditions, with Eastern defeating Mid-Atlantic and New England earning a hard-fought victory over Middle States to advance to the championship match. Despite the challenging weather, players displayed remarkable endurance and sportsmanship throughout the day. On Thursday evening, competitors gathered in the Longwood clubhouse for a memorable dinner, sharing stories and renewing friendships forged through years of Addie Cup competition.

The championship final between New England and Eastern delivered all the drama worthy of a national-caliber team event. Every court featured intense battles, and teammates rallied around one another throughout the day, providing water, ice, Gatorade, strategic support and constant encouragement from the sidelines.

After two grueling singles matches that stretched for hours, New England managed to level the overall score at 7–7. With the championship hanging in the balance, attention turned to the five remaining doubles matches. New England needed to capture three of those five courts to bring the Cup home.

As momentum swung back and forth, players dug deep physically and mentally. The decisive point finally arrived amid cheers from teammates and spectators, setting off a jubilant celebration. After three years of near misses and determined efforts, New England reclaimed the Addie Cup.

The third-place match between Mid-Atlantic and Middle States was equally compelling. In another tightly contested battle that came down to the final courts, Middle States emerged victorious 10–9.

New England’s victory was built on gutsy, intelligent tennis, unwavering resilience and the camaraderie that defines team competition at its best. The championship showcased not only the exceptional level of play among senior women competitors, but also the enduring passion and commitment that continue to make the Addie Cup one of the most respected events in age-group tennis.

Special thanks go to Jean Osachuk for her outstanding leadership in organizing and captaining this year’s New England team, as well as to Fred Groen, Jay Hollen, Greg Bowser, Magnus Nicklasson and the entire Longwood grounds crew for their efforts in making the event truly exceptional.

The team is also deeply grateful to the USTA New England, the New England Senior Tennis Foundation, and the National Women’s Tennis Organization for their generous support and commitment to senior tennis. Their contributions helped elevate the experience for all participants and played an important role in making the 45th Annual Addie Cup a memorable and first-class event.