Ralph & Mary Wilson
Friendship Cup

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.