2019 Potter Cup launched in Barcelona

The 47th edition of the Potter Cup, the International Club’s premier team event for senior players, will take place on the clay courts of two of Barcelona’s most prestigious clubs, Real Club de Polo and Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899 from May 30st to June 2^nd 2019.

A total of 13 national IC teams - 7 men’s and 6 ladies’ - will be in action. At the Potter Cup’s traditional home of the RC Polo, the men’s tournament once again sees a strong line-up, with teams from IC Belgium, IC France, IC Ireland, IC Great Britain and IC USA due to take part alongside defending champions IC Italy, and the host team IC Spain, runners-up in 2018.

IC Spain has named an 8-man team, led by former professional Albert Portas and captained by Santiago Tintoré as they attempt to recapture the title for the first time since 2013. The IC Italy, defending champion has signed up with the team led by former Davis Cup star Marcelo Charpentier and also featuring Filippeschi, Altobelli, Caldarelli, Scala, Altobelli,Pertosa, Scaiola and Senatore - all of who are former ATP-ranked players.   

The ladies’ competition looks to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event and will see seven teams in action at the RCT Barcelona-1899, before moving to the RC Polo for the finals.

In the ladies’ event, defending champions IC Spain will be fancied to retain the title, with 2018 team members Eva Bes and Gisela Riera named to the squad alongside newcomer Noelia Perez, a former Spanish Fed Cup player. They will face tough competition from the team they beat to win in 2018, IC Italy, whose squad features former pros Francesca Frappi Poldini and Alice Canepa, a former Top 50 player on the WTA Tour, amongst others.

The remaining teams due to take part in what promises to be the most competitive ladies’ event yet are IC Belgium, IC France, IC Ireland and a team from IC Great Britain featuring three former ITF World Senior Team Championship medallists.  

The tournament will also stage its now traditional tennis clinic for players with intellectual disabilities from the ACELL Foundation, who play alongside Potter Cup participants during the popular on-court session.

In addition to the two hosting clubs, the Potter Cup is supported by the Catalan Tennis Federation, the IC Council, the Barcelona Town City Hall,the Diputación de Barcelona,  the Consell Català de l’Esport and the Spanish Tennis Federation.