In the last week of June 2023, the Ted Avory Cup was played at St. George’s Hill Tennis Club in Weybridge, England. This was the thirteenth meeting between the IC of Great Britain (ICGB) and the USIC, with the USIC leading seven to five. Under the leadership of Erika Smith, Bruce Lipka and Charlie Hoeveler, the USIC prevailed 28-24. In addition to organizing three days of practice, matches and dinners, the ICGB hosted the USIC team for a day of social tennis at Roehampton Tennis Club and for lunch and matches at Wimbledon.
Due to the weather, the Ted Avory Cup was played on grass, artificial clay and hard courts. Everyone adapted to these challenges with good cheer and bringing multiple pairs of shoes to the club each day. After the first day, the match was tied at 14-14 with many highly competitive matches. The outcome was not decided until the final round of matches on the final day. For three nights, the ICGB and USIC teams gathered for dinner, conversation and laughter, providing plenty of opportunities for players to reconnect and form new friendships. At the IC dinner, Anne Clark, Karen Hunter and David Culshaw became honorary members of the USIC and Bruce Lipka and Mike Tammen became honorary members of the ICGB.
After spending the weekend sightseeing and playing tennis at Roehampton, the USIC players headed to Wimbledon for the first day of The Championships. Almost unrecognizable in formal attire, the players and their guests were treated to lunch in the Members’ Dining Room and access to the International Box on Centre Court. Two members of the USIC team had dual roles that day: Bruce Lipka was coaching a number of players in the women’s doubles draw and Louis Browne (Tyler and Adira’s son) was part of Bianca Andreescu’s coaching team.
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The next Ted Avory Cup will be held in the United States in 2025.
