On Saturday April 23rd, Todd Martin, Executive Director of the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) travelled from Newport to present the Real Club de Tennis Barcelona-1899 President Jordi Cambra with the Global Organization Award, the highest international distinction awarded to tennis entities.
The ceremony took place during the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, an event won by Mr. Martin in 1998. Joining the two men were Sonia Roig, Sports Vice President of the Club, Mr. Xavier Pujol, CEO of the tournament and Mr. Antonio Durall, President of the Trustees of the Club.
The Club received the award in recognition of its international commitment to the sport and its values. Due to celebrate its 125th anniversary shortly, the club has hosted almost 70 editions of the Trofeo Conde de Godó and was the founder and driving force behind the Centenary Tennis Clubs Association.
In return, the Club presented the ITHF with a replica of the famous Conde de Godó trophy.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame was founded in 1954 by Jimmy Van Alen at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island and was the site of the first U.S. National Championships in 1881, which later became the US Open. Created to recall the history of the sport and its icons, in the past only players were inducted to the ITHF. Additional categories have been incorporated to recognise other entities that have made outstanding contributions to the development of the sport.
In the players category, three RCTB 1899 members have been inducted: Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (2007), Andrés Gimeno (2009) and Conchita Martinez (2020). Manuel Alonso (1977), Manolo Santana (1984) and Manuel Orantes (2012) complete the list of Spanish players holding the distinction.
In the administrators’ category, Mr. Juan M. Tintore, President of RCTB-1899 1993-2008 received the Golden Achievement Award on 2008, a distinction also bestowed on another Spanish administrator, Mr. Pablo Llorens in 2001. The RCTB-1899 is the second tennis club to receive the honour, following in the footsteps of another CTC member, Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne.
