To Battle. It's in our blood-by Lizl Kotz (ITF Young Seniors World Cup Championships)
The aircraft door lifts slowly. Miami air has a thick yet welcoming feel to it. It is fitting that the Young Senior World Cup Championships is played in South Beach, Miami. Nicknamed SoBe, this neighborhood is known for its vibrant nightlife, diverse cultural backgrounds and integrates hundreds of tennis players lugging around giant tennis bags with ease.
Each year the ITF (International Tennis Association) hosts the World Cup Championships for the young seniors from each country between the ages of thirty-five to forty-five. The first week is the team championships followed by a second week of competition between individuals. Teams consist of 3-4 players who represent their country in two lines of singles and one line of doubles. Each court has a cheering section consisting of family, friends and teammates. These cheering squads have one goal and one goal only: to encourage their player to victory. Players sense this sense of urgency and battle for every point, sometimes over the course of 3-4 hours.
As I talk to participants around the Flamingo Tennis Center, I get the sense that the camaraderie between athletes is what drives the entire event. All players have in common that they leave their responsibilities behind for a week in order to represent their country. Jonathas Sucupira plays for the USA 35s team. He grew up in Brazil and now lives in Tampa. He has a four-year old daughter with another baby on the way. “I competed at this same tennis center for the Sunshine cup at age 17. Being here brings back special tennis memories. Playing the world cup championships gives me a chance to compete for a team the way I did in college. I love bringing my wife and my daughter and exposing them to such a rich, international experience”. I walk over to team Mexico who exudes loyalty. Karla Unzaga, mom to three children, competes for Mexico in the women’s 40’s division. “I love that tennis gives me an outlet that is just for me. My children see me train and I show them that great things are possible at any age. We don’t have all of the opportunities other countries have but it feels good to know we are still competitive and leave improved after six days of play.” Brandon Blankenbaker represents the USA men’s 35’s team. His positive energy can be felt by everyone wearing red, white and blue. “I compete mainly as a doubles player and thus spend the beginning part of each match being a cheerleader, coach, racket-gripper, water bottle filler-upper, ice-pack-holder, and a huge ball of stress. And I love every minute of it!”
This year, like most other years, the teams of France, Spain, Germany and the USA advance to the semifinals in most of the age groups. France: talented and confident. Spain: ready to face anything all day long. Germany: fierce and patriotic. USA: a truly diverse team with attributes from all of the above three European countries.
Towards the end of the week, the battles are just as intense as you would see at any Grand Slam tennis tournament. Yet, what makes this event so special is not just the high level of play between athletes but the common bond they share with each other and remembering that they are more alike than different. Together they all love the game of tennis and the lessons it has taught them. In competing, they celebrate health by staying fit both physically and mentally. They respect each other, understanding the sacrifices required to be a high-level athlete. These young seniors, who may not be comfortable with being called “seniors” yet, feel gratitude towards the USTA and the ITF for putting on such meaningful events. The benefits of competing despite busy family and work lives keep this age group coming back for more. This is a group who is willing to work alongside these organizations to adjust competition formats and rules as needed to encourage even more adult players to participate in our great sport of tennis.