IC Spain runner-up at Abdesselam Trophy

The IC of Spain finished as runner up at the recent Robert Abdesselam Trophy, which took place in Knokke De Zoutem Belgium on July 22-25, 2015.  The Spanish team was comprised of Montse Boter, Berta Tintore, Joan Dou and captain Angel Luis Arbelo and was beaten to the title by the team from IC France.  This unique doubles event for seniors was organized by the IC of Belgium with the support of the Abdesselam Foundation.

Robert Abdesselam, in whose name the tournament is played, was an inspirational leader of international tennis and a great champion. French junior champion in 1937 and 1938, he went on to become Champion of the University of France the following year, and later became loyal fixture on the French Davis Cup team, on which he served for many years.

He served as a volunteer during the Second World War and developed an international career that took him to be awarded with the Legion d' honor Francaise.  He represented France at the United Nations and was a founder of NATO.  As an administrator, he served as Vice President of the French Federation and of the International Tennis Federation and was one of the founders of the Centenary Tennis Clubs Association. As a professional he was the international lawyer for the Lacoste firm.  He was also for many years President of the International Club of France.  The Robert Abdesselam Foundation, led by President Pierre Herve Gautier, develops philanthropic projects in different areas of the world. The three nations that had a closer relationship with Mr. Abdesselam France, Belgium and Spain, organize a competition every two years for doubles only with a guest nation (Ireland, in this most recent edition).