The CTC Winners Group competition was organized on the weekend of September 6-8 at TC Genève, one of the eight founding members of the Association of Centenary Tennis Clubs. The three teams joining TC Genève were defending champion CLTK Prague, SALK Stockholm and Real Polo Club Barcelona.

All 4 teams gathered on Friday for the draw and some appetizers, prior to hitting the courts early Saturday morning for the semi-finals. Host team Geneva went head to head with SALK and after very tight singles matches, the score was at a draw 3-3. In the other semi-final, Real Polo gave a solid effort and strong resistance but came up short against the experienced Prague team, which contained several formal professional players. The deal was sealed after the singles (6-0).

After a short lunch break, Geneva and Stockholm returned to the courts for the deciding doubles. Each team took one match and it came down to a rubber in the 35+ mixed doubles. Geneva ended up winning the final match in an electric yet fun atmosphere and both teams enjoyed a long after-match beer on the sunny terrace of TC Genève.

In the evening, all four teams were joined by CTC’s new sponsor Gutzwiller Bank for the official dinner held at TC Genève. It was a fun evening, with great speeches and gifts given out between captains. The added value of the CTC spirit was clearly on display, with the history and traditions of each club and respective countries narrated throughout the evening.

On Sunday, Barcelona and Stockholm competed for third place, while Geneva was given the challenge of trying to finally beat Prague in a CTC final. Out of the six singles matches, half of them went to the deciding champions-tiebreak, with match points saved on two courts. However, Prague took an almost unassailable 4-2 lead before the doubles. In the third spot tie, Stockholm boasted a definitive 5-1 lead after the singles.

Rain came into play after lunch, but the teams were able to play the doubles. Without surprise, even though Geneva fought at its best, Prague was able to take the one doubles match needed to secure another Winners Group victory.

All teams then gathered on the terrace for the prize ceremony under temporary sunshine. CTC Vice-President Petr Simunek and Gutzwiller Bank representative Giuseppe Condello distributed the medals and trophies. Pictures of the winners were taken and all teams bid farewell until the next encounter. The Winners’ Group once again provided the backdrop for a great weekend, with fabulous tennis, exemplary sportsmanship and new friendships made.