Martina Lutkova has received the Tennis Europe Award from President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen in recognition of her outstanding service to the organisation.
The ceremony took place at Wimbledon last weekend, where Mrs. Lutkova is currently serving as a Grand Slam Supervisor.
Martina’s first involvement with Tennis Europe came in 1996, when she represented the Czech Tennis Association on the Officiating Committee. In January 2000, she formally joined the organisation as an employee when she was hired to oversee the work of the Women’s Department, which was then responsible for the administration of all ITF professional women’s events in the region.
In 2005, Tennis Europe also took on the role of administering the men’s professional events, and as Tournament & Player Services Manager, Martina oversaw the transition process and was in charge of a department that managed and sanctioned all ITF pro events in Europe and was the service point for all European events on the ITF Pro Circuits/ITF World Tennis Tour. She remained heavily involved for a further 20 years in a number of roles until the ITF took over the administration at the end of 2024.
Maintaining her status as one of the world’s leading officials in parallel to her work at Tennis Europe, Martina served for many years as a Gold Badge Referee, experience which was a vital component to the smooth running of the professional tennis department. Since 2009 she has overseen many of the world’s most important events in her role as a WTA Supervisor.
Mr. Pedersen stated, “It’s a pleasure to be able to present this award to Martina, who has been a key figure at Tennis Europe for over 25 years. Each and every one of our member nations has benefitted from her expertise and service during this time, and she is held in the highest regard by the tennis family and especially by her former colleagues here at Tennis Europe. Thank you Martina!”
Mrs. Lutkova said, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the beautiful game of tennis in various roles and capacities, learning every day and making wonderful friendships along the way. It has been a privilege being part of the Tennis Europe family and witness the growth of the organization over the past three decades”.
Tennis Europe Awards are traditionally nominated by national tennis associations, and given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport in their country in areas including administration, officiating, journalism and coaching. The Tennis Europe Board of Management can nominate recipients for additional awards recognising exceptional service to the European Federation, as in this case.