Kathy Langer

DATES: May 25-28, 2023
LOCATION: Villach, Austria

2023 RALPH & MARY WILSON FRIENDSHIP CUP UNITED STATES TEAM

Jean Ainger - California | Cathy Anderson - California | Alyson Buldoc - Vermont

Carolann Castell - Washington | Candy Doud - Washington | Judy Louie - California

Jane Morrill - Texas | Nadine Netter - Florida | Barbara Oldfield - California

Pat Parsons - California | Sherry Ploor - Wisconsin | Andi Polisky - California

The 14th Ralph and Mary Wilson Friendship Cup, held in beautiful Villach, Austria, ended with the International Team besting the US team, 15-9. Points were decided counting 1 point for each singles match and 2 points for the doubles.

The International team had players from Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Australia, the United Kingdom, England, and South Africa. The US team had players from California, Washington, Vermont, Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas. The matches between these two strong teams were competitive, hard fought, but always friendly, which is the heart of this event. There is even a rule that says if a player questions a call, she loses the point!

The Five-Star Warmbad Hotel, which housed the 24 players, is part of a three-hotel resort with warm pools, jacuzzis, and spa facilities, which many players took advantage of to soak their aching bodies after fierce play.

And then there was the food! Besides bountiful breakfast buffets, there were special dinner menus just for the teams. Plus, the hotel hosted a wonderful outdoor champagne reception on Friday, which was welcomed after a morning team meeting where each player told a little about themselves and heard what was going on for the weekend. The program included photos and bios, so each would know about these new friends. They also received their beautiful blue vest and backpack with the FC insignia and a blue long-sleeved shirt. Next, two hours of team practice on red clay. Captains turned in their lineups, according to strength, and the competition was ready to begin.

Saturday morning started with the teams photographed in their blue vests. The beautiful Alps Mountain range was the backdrop as play was completed between the 12 singles matches. International was up 8-4 at the end and then the players were off to lunch at the court’s restaurant, another great meal. That night was the Gala dinner, starting with “happy hour”, another chance to visit with each other. The dinner was delicious, and the evening wound up with songs, jokes, praises, and thanks to the Wilsons for the wonderful opportunity to be part of this fabulous experience.

Sunday morning was beautiful, the Friendship Cup was resplendent with its arrangement of sunflowers (Mary’s favorite) and the gold and silver medals, waiting to be presented. Four matches started with the US winning 2 and the International team winning 2. The remaining two matches would determine the winner or result in a tie. The number 1 team had an amazing match, going back and forth, but International won the thriller 7-5, 7-5, clinching the victory.

After a short speech by FC Director Ann Moore thanking everyone, including captains, who received clocks with FC insignias as gifts for their work in creating line-ups and keeping their teams organized, photos were taken of the teams as they received their medals from their captains.

The final day of the FC was a 4-hour guided tour of the beautiful Corinth region of Austria, with stops at a famous “Stone House”, as well as the beautiful Ossiach Abbey and cemetery, with well-tended grave sites, beside the beautiful Lake Ossiach. The guide gave a colorful and detailed history of the area. Soon after the tour ended, players headed to the tennis courts to play or watch the first matches of the Austrian Championships, with men and women’s age groups from 30-80.

The week included FC lunches every day at the courts, many photos, and great competition, with FC players winning and taking second place in W75 and W80 Singles, W80 doubles, and 70 Mixed Doubles. Prizes were bottles of wine which the winners graciously shared with the FC players at the final dinner. On the last afternoon, everyone, including guests, participated in a fun farewell round-robin doubles play. The day ended with a farewell gathering and the winning International team buying drinks for the US team, plus dinner with many hugs, tears, and more thanks to the Wilsons.

And so, after a 4-year delay, The Ralph and Mary Friendship Cup tournament ended with each player having a new set of friends and an experience they will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

Ann Moore, FC Director, is still taking applications for eligible players for 2024. Please email her at annfmoore@gmail.com.

By Kathy Langer
FC On-Site Coordinator

A Player’s Perspective: by Judy Louie

It’s Not About the Best......

Mary and Ralph Wilson’s philosophy behind the Friendship Cup is to “celebrate women who have put themselves on the line competing in tournaments”. If you are 75 years or older and have competed in 1 national and 1 sectional tournament, you’re eligible to apply for an incredible adventure! Names of 24 (12 Americans, 12 International) players of ALL abilities are drawn from a hat! The Wilsons generously give each player room and board for 10 days at the beautiful Warmbad Spa Hotel in Villach, Austria, complete with 3 pools (2 mineral), a spa, a gym, manicured grounds, and hiking trails nearby. The delectable cuisine had choices for all! All players were presented with a long sleeve shirt, blue vest, and tote bag as well.

Between cocktail parties, gala dinners, and lounging by the pool, there was tennis! It was a short, pleasant walk to the courts of red clay, foreign to some but much easier on the bodies. One day of practice, singles matches the next day and doubles play on the third day. All matches were hard fought but in the end, the International team finished ahead of the United States and garnered the gold.

Most players stayed for the following Austrian Championships, so we had time to go on some sightseeing trips as well. Austria is a beautiful country! There were songs sung, funny stories told— lots of merriment!

It might be a long way to go, but what a wonderful way to compete for your country, be at an incredible venue, and best of all renew old acquaintances and make new friends from all over the world!

We LOVE your philosophy, Mary and Ralph! Many thanks for your foresight and generosity!!

**On a sad note, one of the International teammates, Petro Kruger of South Africa, died since returning from the event of infections associated with a diagnosis of lymphoma. She had just won the 75 singles and doubles titles in the Austrian ITF Tournament which followed the FC. https://www.tennissa.co.za/w/blog/tsa-mourns-the-loss-of-masters-legend-petro-kruger