2016 Potter Cup Preview
The line-up for the forthcoming 44th edition of the Potter Cup has been revealed, with a total of seven International Club (IC) teams from around the world set to take part in the competition.
The tournament will once again be held at Barcelona’s prestigious Real Club de Polo, and will take place during the weekend of May 26th – 29th.
Organised by IC Spain, the Potter Cup is a men’s team event for players aged 45 & Over, and is set to feature some of the stars of the senior tennis game. Two-time defending champions Italy are set to field a strong team, led by former ATP Top 50 player Stefano Pescosolido, a winner of three ATP World Tour titles, and Vincenzo Santopadre, also a former Top 100 player.
IC France looks to post a strong challenge to regain the title it last won in 1986, with a 9-man team featuring Patrick Vergnes, a winner of 39 senior tennis titles, and Gerard Solves, whose professional career saw him compete at seven Grand Slam tournaments and peak at #105 in the world rankings.
Arguably the most recognisable name in the line-up is Mikael Pernfors of IC USA. Representing Sweden in his professional tennis days, Pernfors was a Top 10 player in 1986, the year he reached the Roland Garros and Davis Cup finals.
The host nation also fields a strong team, with names including Javier Sanchez-Vicario, w winner of four career ATP World Tour titles, and former Top 100 pro Marcos Gorriz. The full list of players and teams can be found attached.
Two other special events will be held alongside the 44th Potter Cup. Teams from IC Spain and IC France will take part in a women’s tennis exhibition event, which it is hoped will serve as a launchpad for a future female Potter Cup category.
The event will also stage its now traditional tennis clinic for players with intellectual disabilities, during which players from the various teams take part in the popular on-court session.
The Potter Cup is supported by the Catalan Tennis Federation, the Barcelona City Council, the Catalan Council of Sport and the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899.
Photo, l-r: Jordi Arrese, Berta Tintore, Joan Navarro, Juan Mª Tintore, Marco Gilardelli, Javier Moreno. Picture credit Bito Cels.
2058