In May, the United States claimed two championships at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters 50, 55 and 60 World Team Championships in Mexico City.
The Vonn Cramm Cup (men’s 60 and over) and the Maureen Connolly Cup (women’s 55 and over) American teams were both victorious in their respective divisions. The United States Men’s 60 and Over team beat France 2-1 in their final while the Women’s 55 and Over team beat Italy 3-0.
Queen Creek resident Ros Nideffer, captain of the Women’s 55 and Over team, won the Maureen Connolly Cup with teammates Debbie Nasim of Cardiff, Calif.; Judy Newman of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Julie Cass of Austin, Texas.
The tournament is the tennis equivalent of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competitions, with top American tennis players representing their country in the 50-, 55- and 60-and-over age groups.
The Americans also lifted four titles at the ITF Masters World Individual Championships. On the women’s side, the 60 and over doubles team of Americans Vicki Buholz and Christine Paulsen defeated fellow teammate Shelly Works and Sweden’s Stina Mosvold, 5-7, 6-3 [10-8]. American John Saviano finished second in the men's 60 and over singles championship after falling to Spain’s Pablo Semprun 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level - from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.
Since the start of 2020, more than 5.9 million Americans have picked up tennis, growing the number of tennis players to 23.6 million - more than all other racket sports combined. Many people play tennis because it offers a full workout and has numerous health benefits.
- Tennis players on average lived an additional 9.7 years than sedentary individuals and more than five years longer than other sports.
- The 9.7 additional years for tennis players ranked highest among all sports included within the study, beating out soccer by five years (4.7), cycling by six years (3.7), swimming by 6.3 years (3.4) and jogging by 6.5 years (3.2).
- Participation in racquet sports, including tennis, reduces risk of all-cause mortality by 47% and cardiovascular-related death by 56%.
