HEAD Sponsors Tennis Europe Winter Cup 2007

HEAD recently sponsored the 2007 Tennis Europe Winter Cup, organized by Tennis Europe, the largest regional association of the sport's governing body, the International Tennis Federation (ITF). HEAD will be the presenting sponsor of the European Winter Cup until 2009.

The 2007 Tennis Europe Winter Cup presented by HEAD, featured 115 national junior teams competing in 20 tournaments for the title of European Indoor Team Champions. Teams were divided into male and female with categories under 14-years-old and under 16-years-old. HEAD is the official racquet, tennis ball, string, bag and accessory partner of the Tennis Europe Winter Cup.

“The 2007 Tennis Europe Winter Cup has shown to be a quality competition and a great success as an event and for us as sponsors,” said Robert Marte, Division Manager of HEAD Racquetsports. “This partnership strengthens HEAD's relationship with one of the most respected organizations in the European tennis community and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership for the next three years.”

The boys’ finals for both age groups were held in Pruhonice, where the Czech Republic celebrated a victory in the 14-and-under event. The win marks a third title in five years for the Czechs (the first on home soil), who have been the most consistent performers at this age group, reaching the final round in each of the last ten years. In the 16-and-under event, France, the two-time defending champions, battled their way to a final match. The French were unable to repeat their earlier successes, as the Croatian team edged the match 7-6(2), 7-6(4). The win is Croatia’s third in this category, and moves them to fourth on the all-time leader board of 16-and-under titles won.

Upsets abounded at the girls’ 14-and-under finals in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, where Russia won their sixth title in eight years, thanks to a strong performance against unseeded Hungary. The girls’ 16-and-under event was held for the ninth consecutive year in Ronchin, France, where Russia fell just short of a double victory in the girls’ events. Top seeds Poland emerged victorious despite the Russians taking an early lead. The victory was sweet revenge for the Polish team, who had lost to eventual champions Russia in each of the last two years.

The Tennis Europe Winter Cup presented by HEAD, give Europe’s top junior players a unique opportunity to compete in a top-level team competition with indoor conditions, and have traditionally seen participation from some of the greats of game. In recent years players such as Amélie Mauresmo, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Marat Safin, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal have been among those who have represented their countries.