Interview with Sergi Bruguera on volunteering with the Acell Federation

Since when have you been collaborating with the players of the Acell Federation?

I have been actively collaborating since the day I retired. While I was on the tour, I had the opportunity to collaborate occasionally with them. I was asked to do the Special Olympics announcement in 1992 and that was the starting point, since then whenever there was an opportunity, I volunteered to help. This included helping in the organization of a championship or attending the award ceremonies or sharing a clinic with them. As soon as I retired, I offered to get involved with them on a day-to-day basis. They mentioned to me that there was no tennis special academy, so I gathered efforts to get the first one in place. Almost every sport had its own training centre, but they had an unmet need. We established the first training centre and this has grown throughout the years. Acell was the supporting federation for the special players and the pioneer in organizing Special Olympics Catalonia. They received the support of the national organization for the international competition.

What does collaborate with them mean to you?

It has meant a lot to me. The experiences I have had with them are magical and it is unlikely to get them through anything else in life. I love them because they are authentic with no ulterior motives. Everything is about enjoyment, and the impact you have on their personality development is very enriching. They gain confidence, self-assurance, and it is very fulfilling.

How often do these special players practice?

They practice once a week on Thursdays, and occasionally there are championships in Catalonia, Spain, and every four years, the Special Olympics Games are organized for them.

During these training sessions, do you focus uniquely on sport, or do you also try to impart other values?

We focus on making it the best hour of the week for them. If something comes up in a conversation, we take advantage of it, but we focus on them enjoying the training. We start with gymnastics to warm up, joke around, then of course train and improve technically, but we concentrate on making the game fun. Our goal is to make it the best hour of the week for them.

For them, participating in a clinic like the one offered by the Potter Cup, what do you think it means?

It means a lot to them. Generally, they have few social opportunities, and the chance to feel like just another person at an event is greatly appreciated. At that moment, they feel like a part of society, which is incredibly valuable to them. Sharing the court with well-known players makes them feel important. They love it, always keep it on their memory and helps them personally.

Sergi, you know that the philanthropic area of the IC Council supports different projects worldwide. If a meeting of philanthropic project leaders were to be held, would you be willing to dedicate some time to share experiences?

Yes, of course, I love collaborating with these kinds of projects. In the past, I spent time visiting prison to train there and have done other types of collaborations. I am willing to help. I feel very privileged for the opportunities I have had in life, and I believe it's my duty to give something back to the sport that has given me so much.

Thank you Sergi, keep it up….

Even more exciting matches - Day 2 of The IC Rod Laver European 16U Junior Challenge

The first day had some close matches but this was surpassed on day 2. In Group B both inter country matches were tied at 3 each and had mixed doubles tie breaks to decide the winner. Against Spain Israel needed to win two 10 point tie break third sets in the no.1 girls singles and number two boys singles to manage to level at two matches each, both teams then won one doubles with Israel coming through in the mixed doubles decider to win the overall tie 4-3.

Meanwhile in the same group Austria went down 3-1 to Slovenia in the singles winning only the number 2 girls match. They then went on a great doubles run winning both the boys and girls doubles to level at 3 matches each. So it was another mixed doubles decider with Austria continuing their winning doubles streak to take the overall match 4-3. This means an interesting third day to see which teams go through to which play off positions with the other group for Friday's matches with Israel currently in pole position.

Maybe not to be out done by the other group there was a great match between Italy and Ireland. After the singles it was three matches each with both the boys number 1 's and the girls number ones going to 10 point tie break third sets with Italy winning the girls 10-7 and Ireland the boys 14-12. In the boys doubles Italy came through in two sets but the girls doubles split sets and went in to the third 10 point tie break set with Italy coming through 10-8 to take the overall tie and avoid a mixed doubles decider. In the remaining match GB won comfortably over Germany 6-0 but it to had some good matches including two that went to third set 10 point tie breaks. So the overall result was perhaps a bit flattering to GB and not fully representative of some good performances from Germany.

So it is: Group A Italy 2, Great Britain 1, Ireland 1, Germany 0
Group B Israel 2, Austria 1, Slovenia 1, Spain 0

This has probably been the most closely contested regional challenge for some time with strong consistent performances by all teams giving them a great tennis experience and feeling of team camaraderie.

After the matches the teams were taken on a coach tour of Frankfurt. Tomorrow evening our hosts Germany have put together a Tennis Dinner Quiz for all the teams that will be held at The Frankfurt Palmgarten Tennis Club ...... no phones and Google will be allowed !!!!!