The finals of the 2024 CTC Seniors Competition +35/+45 took place in Padova (Italy) at the Tennis Club Padova 1912 on 13-15 September 2024. The defending champions of Tennis Club Padova were joined by Český Lawn Tennis Klub Praha, Kungl Lawn Tennis Klubben Stockholm and Real Club de Tennis Barcelona-1899.
Upon arrival on 13 September, the Captains of the four teams were invited to participate in the tournament draw, at the presence also of Matteo Carli, board member of the CTC.
The draw ceremony decided that the host club would face RCTB-1899 in the first semifinal, while the Czech line-up were to play Kungl Lawn Tennis Klubben Stockholm in the other series.
Each series consisted of 9 matches: 6 singles and 3 doubles. A very good level of tennis was displayed by all teams on Saturday, the day of the two semifinals, which ended up entitling the Italians and the Czech to fight for the Trophy on Sunday.
The final of the event was a real battle between Tennis Club Padova and Český Lawn Tennis Klub Praha. Both teams were very strong and included former top professional players.
The singles matches were played in the morning and the situation was equal (3-3). This suggested that the doubles scheduled for the afternoon were to be again great battles.
As a matter of fact, the doubles were indeed hard-fought matches. Tennis Club Padova was able to win the series 3-0, however the Czech team was a fantastic opponent. No doubt the people who attended the event at the Tennis Club Padova to enjoy watching good tennis were not disappointed.
Tennis Club Padova won the series with a final result of 6-3 and therefore, for the third consecutive year, is the winner of the CTC Seniors Competition +35/+45.
The final day saw an on-court prize giving ceremony, at which CTC Board Member Matteo Carli was on hand to offer the Trophy to the winners and plaques of the event to the runner-up and participants.
Matteo Carli handed to the Captain of the winning team also an additional prize: a beautiful vase made of authentic crystal of Murano (Venice), containing gold and a representation of the Venetian Saint Mark’s lion. The said additional prize had been made available as courtesy of www.idogi.com (Masterpieces from Italy), to be handed over to the winning team for use in the Club House of the respective club. A great gesture from Mr. Domenico Caminiti, head of IDG S.r.l. of Venice, who wanted to give a (very much appreciated) contribution to make the finals of the CTC tournament more interesting.
The Competition had an important social aspect, with an official dinner on Saturday night at the host club, where the players socialised and exchanged gifts and souvenirs. The dinner was attended by more than 200 members of the host club and guests.
Also Marco Gilardelli, long-time counselor of the CTC, attended the event and, among other things, gave a speech on the racket sports played in the sixteen / seventeenth century, following the discovery in Italy of an early form of balls (called ‘balette’). Marco Gilardelli is the President of the Club delle Balette (www.clubdellebalette.com) and was accompanied by Carla Saveri (Vice-President). The Club delle Balette was founded by legendary Gianni Clerici, one of the two Italian men ever inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame of Newport, USA.
Final Standings:
- Tennis Club Padova 1912
- Český Lawn Tennis Klub Praha
- Kungl Lawn Tennis Klubben Stockholm
- Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899
