The BNP Paribas World Team Cup, which wrapped up a few days ago at Israel Tennis & Education Centers Ramat Hasharon, is the wheelchair tennis equivalent of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. This comes straight from the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of world tennis, wheelchair tennis and beach tennis. But for fans of the sport it was simply great fun.
For five days crowds watched as 44 teams from 23 nations competed for prestigious medals, including Israel. For the Jewish state, the stakes were even higher as this was the first time the event was held there.
“Participants, including athletes and coaches, told us this was the best World Cup ever,” said Jackie Glodstein, EVP Global Development of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers. “Everyone was treated so hospitably and they got to meet people of different backgrounds. That gave them a different view of Israeli society.”
Children from ITEC’s wheelchair program came out to watch the action and were excited to see role models like Noam Gershony who won a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. This year he and teammate Shraga Weinberg took home silver.
The Larry and Mary Greenspon Israel Tennis & Education Center-Ramat Hasharon was inaugurated in 1976. Since then it has served Israel’s national Davis and Fed Cup teams, as well as hosted international ATP Tournaments. The BNP Paribas World Team Cup was the latest high-profile event to grace its courts.
To read more about ITEC’s Wheelchair Tennis program click here.