Tournament Recap: 2024 World Team Championships
DATES: March 10-15, 2024
LOCATION: Manavgat, Antalya, Turkey
DIVISIONS: 65, 70, 75, 80, 85
65s Carolyn Lane
Kitty Godfree Cup 2024 “Living the Dream”
This is an experience I won’t soon forget as we won the Kitty Godfree World Cup! Team USA was led by Captain Carolyn Nichols with teammates Susan Wright, Anne Frautschi, and Carolyn Lane. We played 4 nations to reach the finals. In the opening rounds, we defeated Turkey and Portugal 3-0. In the semi-finals, we had our toughest match against team France. Our number one singles player, Susan Wright, defeated Bette Michele in a hard-fought two set match. Our second singles player, Carolyn Nichols, played a red-hot Benedict Chapuis who prevailed in a very close three set match. Captain Carolyn sent in Susan Wright and Anne Frautschi to play doubles in the rubber match. They played lights out which gave us a 2-1 win, putting us into the finals against Great Britain! Susan and Carolyn won both their singles matches against Susan Bramlette and Anne Clark. We had a 2-0 lead then Anne Frautschi and I sealed the deal in the doubles to give us a 3-0 victory. It was a proud moment for us to hold the Kitty Godfree Cup and to wear the gold medals.
Ali Bey, our venue, was an all-inclusive resort with 54 red clay courts on the Turkish Mediterranean. All the 430 participants from 29 nations stayed at the facility and we dined together. This environment created an atmosphere of conviviality. All the men’s and women’s teams from the USA did their best to support one another. The women’s 85 team playing for the Angela Mortimer Cup also came home with a gold medal. It was a great week and we left with friends from all over the world. What could be better than that!
70s Elizabeth Kuhle
The 70s team included our veteran Captain Tina Karwasky, veteran Jan Kirkland, and “newbies” Una Davis and Betsy Kuhle. All of us survived the long travel days to arrive at the beautiful Ali Bey Hotel in Managvat, Turkey. Even with most of us having an 11-hour time change, we had a wonderful practice on Friday on the red clay.
Saturday was another practice day followed by the Opening Ceremony. It was a fantastic experience to represent the USA and see all the players from around the world coming together to compete and enjoy the sport they love.
There were 12 total teams in the Women’s 70s so we had four pods of three teams playing a round robin to advance to the semi-finals. In our first match on Sunday, we defeated Finland 3-0, and then in our 2nd match on Monday, we defeated Canada 3-0.
After a day of rest and practice, we played France in the semi-finals. Karwasky won at No. 2 and Davis won at No. 1. Kirkland and Kuhle won the doubles to win 3-0 and advance to the finals on Friday against Australia who upset Great Britain in the other semi-final.
We took the court at 9:30 am and the team match didn’t finish until close to 4:00 pm! Karwasky had a see-saw battle at No 2, held off three match points at 5-4 in the third, only to have her opponent become injured and have to retire at 5-5 in the 3rd. 1-0, USA!!! Davis put up a brilliant fight but came up short at No. 1.
With the match tied at 1-1, Kirkland and Kuhle were put to the test of trying to win it all for the USA. After splitting the first two sets, a match tie-break was held for the 3rd set to determine the Champion. It was a tough battle but the USA duo fell 10-7 in the tie-break.
While none of us like to lose those tie-breaks, it couldn't have been closer. Because we had such a great time with all the camaraderie amongst ourselves, the other USA teams, and all the teams from around the world, the sting of losing softened a bit when we walked up to receive our silver medals.
I’ve never experienced such a wonderful team atmosphere (thank you TINA!) and will be forever grateful for my new friends and deeper relationships with the old friends!
75s Brenda Carter
The 2024 ITF Masters World Team Championships for the 65s through 85s were held at the beautiful Club Ali Bey Manavgat, Turkey March 10-15. The event was a quick turnaround as the 2023 event was in October in Spain.
The Queen’s Cup Team welcomed Judy Dixon as an “age-in” to the 75s. What a great addition — not only as our #1 player but as a very experienced player/coach! She joined Liane Bryson, Gwenda Ward, and Brenda Carter (Captain).
Three of us (Brenda, Judy, Liane) faced a bit of frustration/difficulty getting to Turkey because of a last-minute strike by airline ground crews — hence, stressful rebooking took place two days before leaving….and flights were scarce. Gwenda was able to avoid this frustration by leaving one day earlier than the three of us. Thankfully, we all made it and were together by Thursday evening before the competition began on Sunday.
Friday and Saturday were practice days as we adjusted to time zone differentials. Turkey is +8 hours ahead of EST! The captains’ meeting and opening ceremony were held on Saturday afternoon. 12 countries were vying for the Queen’s Cup. USA was seeded 2nd behind France. Additional seeds were Great Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands, in that order. We were divided into 4 round robin groups of 3 teams each, with the seeds placed in separate pods. The remaining countries were placed in the pods by blind draw.
In round robin play, USA faced South Africa and Ireland. USA won both 3-0, then faced GB in the semifinals. What a barn-burner that was! After the singles, we were dead even at 1-1. The #1 singles (Judy) split sets, then Judy was edged in a tiebreaker at the end of the third. Judy and Liane played a great doubles match but fell in a 3rd set match tie-breaker by a score of 12-14. Needless to say, a true nail biter, which could have gone either way. Both teams played very well! USA played Australia for the bronze and won that tie 3-0. GB went on to upset France (#1 seed) 2-1, needing another 3rd set 10-point tie-breaker for the win.
The semis, the final, and the 3/4 playoff were all terrific match-ups! The USA Queen’s Cup Team stood proudly on the medal stand, knowing we played our hearts out and were “oh so close”.
We all are appreciative of USTA’s support (including Adam Hutchinson, USTA on-site rep), the ITF’s fantastic staff, and the staff at Ali Bey, which is a perfect venue for this event. Significant takeaways for all of us: the camaraderie and strength of team-building, the renewing of friendships, and making new friends with people from around the world.
80s Andi Polisky
Our 80’s cup team consisted of Charleen Hillebrand, Sheila Weinstock, Carolann Castell, and Andi Polisky (only first-timer). It’s quite a long trip to Turkey and takes a few days to acclimate. The Ali Bey Club is gorgeous with up to 54 red clay courts right on the Mediterranean.
The weather was a bit brisk in the mornings but lovely sun during the day. There were a number of women here who I had met last year in Austria at the Friendship Cup which was very fun for me.
Our division had 7 teams divided into 2 pods. We were in the 4-pod group with Great Britain (#2); Australia, and Switzerland. We played Australia first and lost 2-1…not over jet lag🥲. Next was GB which we lost 3-0…they were pretty good. We then managed to beat the other team 3-0. Our draw was a bit unfortunate and we ended up placing 5th, beating Finland and Switzerland again 3-0.
It was really lovely getting to know teams from different countries and making new and old friends. The Turkish people at the club were wonderful and very accommodating…anything you asked for they helped. The food was over the top with lavish buffets every meal with something for everyone. As a first-timer I can say it was an experience I will never forget and never thought I would have an opportunity to have. Very grateful to the USTA for supporting our teams. Turkey is a fascinating country…wish I could have seen more.
85s Mary Ann Winden
Never say never!
It may not be on your bucks list! It wasn’t on my bucket list, but I can tell you it was the greatest honor I have had in the field of tennis - being selected to
play on the USTA Angela Mortimer 85 Cup team for the WORLD MASTERS CUP in Turkey! When I told my coach, Shelly Works, she said, “Mary Ann! Don’t you dare turn it down! It is the best place in the world for tennis!” (She had been there before…(not in the 85’s)!
I have had many musical honors in my career as a choir director and organist. I have given concerts all over the world with my choirs and organ playing, but never been for tennis!
Obviously, I was a newcomer to the format and since it was going to be in Turkey (not a country for my kind of Western music), I decided to fly from San Antonio to Washington, D.C. to meet Carol Wood, our most experienced team member on the Cup. (She had been to Alibey five times)! It was a long flight and maneuvering through Dulles airport to Turkish Airlines was a tedious affair to get through customs, with heavy baggage, tennis rackets, and passports, but it was worth the effort! It was such a joy to see her after the Dulles escapade! We boarded Turkish Airlines and landed in Istanbul. We had a short layover and then took a two-hour flight to Antalya. Here we met up with other Americans at a “Burger King'' to board a van arranged by ITF/ALIBEY to drive several players to our final destination, the five-star resort, Alibey. We checked in at the reception desk and were driven in carts to our unique lodging layout with 20-foot decorative tea cups with water fountains to give us markers to find our condo! (There were 22 all alike with only the numbers to help identify clustered in groups of four!)
Alibey is an unbelievable venue with its 61 red clay courts! As a Texan, the only place I had seen red clay was on TV. The dining hall where we had most of our meals was elegant! Almost every food possible was offered, served with such class and pleasure. The desserts were amazing creations of artistic beauty - cruel to cut into them! There were two bars for drinks, appetizers, and ice cream - free (included in the lodging)! There were musical shows every night, of course, the beautiful Mediterranean ocean, a water park, and many other shops and amenities.
Back to tennis! We had two days to practice on the courts and even though it was my first time on the surface, I didn’t find it much different than the green clay found all over the states - maybe a little softer, though! The opening ceremonies were impressive, and all the 120 teams ranging in age from 65-85s were announced! The USA was well-represented in both the women and men in all age divisions. We each had been given a red, white, and blue warm-up suit, as well as six shirts of our choice of red, white, and blue. Adam Hutchinson, our great USTA “manager” corralled us all for team pictures and afterward gave us some little stuffed eagles to give as mementos to our opponents! We were ready to “Let the play begin!“
Run by the ITF, the tournament matches were spaced out so there was time for a bit of sightseeing as well as watching and cheering on other age divisions. Since our team didn’t play the first day, we watched some of our younger squads (65s) and watched our opponents play.
Our team went to Side (See-day), a sea coast town 30 minutes away that had some very interesting Roman antiquity being tediously restored. The tall Roman columns were very impressive as well as a huge amphitheater! On another outing, we went to Alanya and saw a castle, a church built in 63 A.D., and some incredible caverns.
Then back to the main purpose…tennis! Our matches were mostly close but we defeated both Great Britain and Germany. USA won the gold with Captain Dorothy Wasser, and members Carol Wood, Sheila Palmer, and Mary Ann Winden. The ceremony presentation to receive the medals was just like the OLYMPICS! It was so cool! They called out the name of each member and put the gold medals around our necks, as we were placed on three levels of stands. An unforgettable moment!
The second week began with the ITF World Masters Individual Championships. This event is open to all tennis players and based on age. Players all the way up to age 101 were there! Our team members entered and did quite well in these events, too. My first singles match was against a lefty from France who seemed confused by my ambidextrous game! I won in straight sets. Next, I played the #1 seed from Germany, which I also won! I lost to the eventual gold medalist from Germany and received the bronze medal. Dorothy won the consolation singles event. In doubles Carol and Dorothy both won the gold and Sheila and Mary Ann won the bronze in doubles. Coming back with three medals wasn’t bad for this neophyte!
Individual Tournament QUICK RESULTS→
🏆 W65
SINGLES: Gold - Carolyn Nichols, Silver: Susan Wright
DOUBLES: Gold - Anne Frautschi / Carolyn Nichols, Bronze - Carolyn Lane
MIXED DOUBLES: Gold - Susan Wright
🏆 W70
SINGLES: Bronze - Tina Karwasky, Una Davis
DOUBLES: Gold - Una Davis / Elizabeth Kuhle, Bronze - Tina Karwasky / Jan Kirkland-Cochran
MIXED DOUBLES: Bronze - Elizabeth Kuhle
🏆 W75
DOUBLES: Gold - Gwenda Ward
MIXED DOUBLES: Bronze - Gwenda Ward
🏆 W80
DOUBLES: Gold - Carolann Castel
MIXED DOUBLES: Gold - Andi Polisky, Silver - Carolann Castell
🏆 W85
SINGLES: Bronze - Sheila Palmer, Mary Ann Winden
DOUBLES: Gold - Carol Wood / Dorothy Wasser, Bronze - Sheila Palmer / Mary Ann Winden
MIXED DOUBLES: Bronze - Sheila Palmer
Photo Gallery
photo cred - Carolyn Nichols
