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History of the Brussels Ladies Trophy 10.000$ Tennis
Tournament
Let me tell you the
story of two tennis-lovers, Didier Coosemans and Laurent Goffinet, who gave
birth to a beautiful baby of 10.000$ in the summer of ’98. It all started in
July when a bunch of players with strange names, going from Boboedova to
Mihalache, arrived within the Charles-Quint family. The family could not
pronounce their names and had difficulties to communicate with those players
from across the borders, but they knew one thing for sure; all these players
wanted to hear their names preceded by the words “game, set and match”.
To make sure that this
first edition of the tournament would become a complete success, the directors
didn’t spare any efforts and made everything within their power to spoil the
players as much as possible. Although none of them were part of the WTA-top,
they were regarded as stars and definitely treated that way. Physiotherapists
provided massages when they requested or needed one, a hairstylist was at their
disposal if they wanted a winning or aerodynamic haircut, a doctor was always
available in case of accidents or injuries, drivers transported them from and to
their hotel when they were asked for, ... .
Those who preferred to stay in host families were even more spoiled and got
completely integrated in our small tennis community. Their host families became
close friends, supported them during every game and shared their joy or
deception after the game. All this giving a human dimension to this hard game
where you have to win to climb the WTA-ranking.
It is in this atmosphere of conviviality and familiarity that the becoming stars
disputed the qualifications and the main draw. The good weather helping, this
attracted more spectators every day, giving the players and the sponsors the
attention they deserved. The tournament only got disturbed by a big overcoming
storm, but the courts were able to absorb the large amounts of water in a
minimum of time, making it possible to continue the battle for the trophy. Some
bad tongues said that the courts drunk as fast as the tournament director on
that specific day.
On the last day hundreds of people witnessed the final confrontation between Kim
Clijsters (BEL) and Denisa Sobotkova (CZE). Surrounded by overwhelming applauds
the young Belgian talent celebrated her first victory in a senior tournament and
is now part of the WTA-top.
At the end of the tournament some of the players remained in their host family
for several additional weeks, others promised to keep in touch and lots of them
did. After the players were gone a part of the Charles-Quint family followed
them on several other tournaments in Belgium, shouting their difficult names and
clapping their hands every time they made a beautiful point.
The legend says that from now on players from all over the world will come to
celebrate the anniversary of this tournament and that every year one of them
will be chosen to discover the higher levels of the WTA-ranking. Let it be you.
[ Remonter ] [ Results & Programme ] [ Players Info ] [ Contact Players ] [ Press ] [ Palmares ] [ Kim Clijsters First WTA-points ] [ PICTURES ] [ Sponsors IRIS ]
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Kim Clijsters First WTA-points
