The European Senior Championships have drawn to a close for another year following a spectacular second edition of the event at the Ljubicic Tennis Academy in Veli Losinj, Croatia.| 📸 Photo Gallery
278 ITF World Tennis Masters Tour players from 37 nations around the world were in action, competing for singles, doubles and mixed doubles across all age groups. With 19 singles titles each worth 1000 ranking points on offer, the event saw many of the world's best players on court, and was full of notable stories:
- Three female players managed to defend their titles. Liselot Prechtel (NED) collected a second consecutive Over 60 title with a win over world #5 Marina Korepanova, while Valentina Padula (ITA) held on to the Over 50 trophy by beating world #6 Isabelle Gemelle (GER) for the loss of just two games. Finally, Reinhilde Adams (GER) outlasted Annick Rascou (FRA) 6-3 6-4 to reclaim the women’s Over 70 crown.
- Last year’s Mens 50 finalist Jiri Prutszyn (CZE) went one step further this time, collecting the gold medal when rival Clemens Weinhandl (AUT), a former world #1, retired while trailing 5-6.
- Ukrainian players emerged victorious in both Over 40 competitions: Andrey Baidikov won the men’s event, while Natalia Bodnikov won the women’s.
- The Women’s 30 competition saw world #2 Almadena Sanz-Llaneza Fernandez (ESP) top the round-robin event, beating world #1 Verena Baur-Joechle (GER) into second place
- The Men’s 80s event saw the most senior of all the competitors – Australia’s Gordon Waygood (83) – win a first European title.
- Waygood was one of four world #2s to win men’s titles, joining Naoki Arimoto (JPN, Men’s 45), Jiri Prutszyn (CZE, Men 50) and Bart Theelen (NED, Men 55) on the podium
- Sabine Schmitz (GER) collected the Women’s 65 silver medal for a second consecutive year.
- Hungary topped the list of participating nations with an incredible 54 competitors. Germany (35) and Italy (22) round out the Top Three.
- Players came from as far afield as India, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay for a truly international competition
Live streaming was available throughout the week, allowing players and fans the chance to follow the competition online. Competitors also enjoyed a social programme at the event, with many arriving early or staying on after the event to enjoy the tourist opportunities on the picturesque island of Losinj.
Tennis Europe can confirm that following the success of the tournament, the Championships will remain in Veli Losinj in 2024, once again in association with the Ljubicic Tennis Academy and Croatian Tennis Association.
Former world #2 and Academy owner Ivan Ljubicic commented, “It has been a pleasure for us to welcome World Tennis Masters Tour players from all corners of the world to the second edition of the Championships here at the Ljubicic Academy. We’ve seen some stunning play throughout the week and a great atmosphere and can’t wait to stage an even bigger and better event next year.”
Further information about next year’s competition will be announced in due course.
Draws and Results (ITF site) | Draws (pdf)
Final Results
|
Event
|
Winner
|
Runner-Up
|
Score
|
|
Men 30
|
Klaus Moser (GER)
|
Stefan Trifonov (BUL)
|
7-5 0-6 6-4
|
|
Men 35
|
Sascha Moeller (GER)
|
Davide Fascioli (ITA)
|
RR
|
|
Men 40
|
Andrey Baidikov (UKR)
|
Josef Prix (AUT)
|
76(4) 76(3)
|
|
Men 45
|
Naoki Arimoto (JPN)
|
Adrian Ludwikiewicz (POL)
|
7-5 6-3
|
|
Men 50
|
Jiri Prutszyn (CZE)
|
Clemens Weinhandl (AUT)
|
6-5 ret
|
|
Men 55
|
Bart Theelen (NED)
|
David Taillefer (FRA)
|
6-2 7-6(5)
|
|
Men 60
|
V Tanganelli (ITA)
|
C Schultes (GER)
|
6-2 6-2
|
|
Men 65
|
M Maldoner (AUT)
|
Martin Cornish (GBR)
|
6-3 6-2
|
|
Men 70
|
Serge Gresy (FRA)
|
Jean-Yves Leonard (FRA)
|
6-0 6-3
|
|
Men 75
|
M Beautyman (USA)
|
Jan Kofol (SA)
|
6-2 6-1
|
|
Men 80
|
Gordon Waygood (AUS)
|
Zoltan Fabian (HUN)
|
6-1 6-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Women 30
|
Almadena Sanz-Llaneza Fernandez (ESP)
|
Verena Baur-Joechle (GER)
|
RR
|
|
Women 40
|
Natalia Bodnia (UKR)
|
Johanna Stanley Tyreus (SWE)
|
6-2 3-6 6-4
|
|
Women 45
|
Eszter Serfozo (HUN)
|
Szilvia Pestuka (HUN)
|
7-5 6-3
|
|
Women 50
|
Valentina Padula (ITA)
|
Isabelle Gemmel (GER)
|
6-1 6-1
|
|
Women 55
|
Maria Seger (SWE)
|
Judit Wagner (HUN)
|
6-0 6-2
|
|
Women 60
|
Liselot Prechtel (NED)
|
Marina Korepanova
|
6-1 6-2
|
|
Women 65
|
Veronica Lima de Angelis (USA)
|
Sabine Schmitz (GER)
|
RR
|
|
Women 70
|
Reinhilde Adams (GER)
|
Annick Rascou (FRA)
|
6-3 6-4
|