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SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS IN MEXICO - MAY 2010
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Nine teams representing South African veterans in the 35-55+ age groups flew to Mexico City via Paris to participate in the ITF World Team Competitions. As always flying time was long and tiring, but the team spirits were high and everybody arrived safely in Mexico City and were soon settled into their hotels and out on the practise courts.
Mexico City is situated at an altitude of 7350 feet which is 1350 feet higher than Johannesburg. Because of the high altitude it was necessary to use tennis balls with no pressure. This took a bit of getting used to and three new balls were used for each set on all hard surfaces. Five different clubs were used and players were transported each morning to their venues from outside their hotels. The trip to the clubs took 30 to 45 minutes.
The Opening Ceremony was spectacular and described by the captains as the best that they had been to over the years. Players marching onto the court, speeches, Spanish dancing, bands, Olympic type flame lit to get the tournament under way and finished off with a huge fire works display. Truly magnificent. Followed by Mexican food and drinks - as much as one could eat and drink.
The official dinner was held at one of the historical buildings which was built in the 17th century as a convent. It is now again being used as a primary school. A magnificent venue which created a lot of interest from the players. Ronnie van't Hof our new Chairman of vets tennis, made a very good speech on behalf of the players thanking Mexico for a job really well done. This he did after donning a very colourful Mexican pancho. He also presented a World Soccer t-shirt to the President of the Mexican Tennis Federation.
A three course plated dinner was then served with no charge at all for drinks.
The South African teams were a pleasure to be with - their behaviour impeccable and truly good ambassadors for our country.
Results as follows:
Men:
35+ Italia Cup Finished 12th
40+ Tony Trabert Cup Finished 7th
45+ Dubler Cup No team
50+ Fred Perry Cup Finished 10th
55+ Austria Cup Finished 13th
Women:
35+ Suzanne Lenglen Cup Finished 6th
40+ Young Cup Finished 7th
45+ Margaret Court Cup Finished 11th
50+ Maria Bueno Cup Finished 8th
55+ Maureen Connolly Cup Finished 11th
Individual World Championships:
Congratulations to Wayne Faver and Abdul Cassiem who won a Bronze medal at the individual world championships. Wayne also had a good run in the singles beating the third seed, Chris O'Mara, from Australia before losing to Tom Groen (seeded 8) in the quarter finals.
To date not all individual results received.
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