FACTS AND FIGURES
1900 First records of Tennis in Cyprus
The first courts were built at the Houses of the English Commissioners in the towns of Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos and later in Famagusta. Courts were also built in various English Clubs all around the island
1913 The first tennis clubs in Cyprus
“Field Club”, the first tennis club in Cyprus was founded in the area of the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia by Helen Jane Luxmore Jeffery, wife of the Director of Antiquities Department, George Jeffery. Tennis Clubs were later founded in the towns of Larnaca, Famagusta and Limassol
1926
Tennis was included as an official sport in the Panhellenic (National) Games held in Limassol
1951 The Cyprus Tennis Federation (CTF) was founded
The Cyprus Tennis Federation was founded on 17/1/1951. Its first President was Mr. R. De Glanville (until 28/2/51) followed by Costas Stephani (until 9/4/51) and later by Mrs. H.G.Richards (until September 1951)
1954 “Field Club” moved to its present location
“Field Club” moved to its present location and four tennis courts and a Club-House were constructed. The official inauguration took place on 3/10/54 by the Governor of Cyprus and Lady Armitage in the presence of all officials of Cyprus
1974
Famagusta Tennis Club occupied by Turkey, still under occupation but fully operational in Limassol.
Following the Turkish invasion in 1974, the town of Famagusta was bombed and its population was forced to abandon the area and become refugees in their own country together with other 200.000 Cypriots. Famagusta Tennis Club lost its installations and became the first refugee tennis club. Following admirable efforts and determination by the people of Famagusta and its Club Council, the Club became active again as a member of the CTF with 10 tennis courts in Limassol. The hope of returning to Famagusta remains alive.
1984 CTF becomes full member of ITF, ETA and COC
The CTF became a full member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the European Tennis Association (ETA) and the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC).
1985 Cyprus participates for the first time in the Davis Cup Competition
The first Davis Cup tie (Cyprus vs. Ireland) was held in Nicosia. It was the first appearance of Cypriot tennis players in this prestigious event with Ireland defeating Cyprus 4-1.
1986 New Organizational Structure and Rules introduced by the CTF
For the first time, various rules and regulations in respect to the organization of tournaments, the National Teams, the Ranking System, the Registration and transfer of players, the Interclub Tournaments and the Computerized ranking system were introduced by the CTF.
1986-98 Tremendous growth of Cyprus Tennis Local and International Tournaments
Cyprus participates in the Davis Cup every year since 1985. The biggest victory came in 1997 in the Euro-Africa Zone IV round-robin ties during which, Cyprus was declared Champion of its Group and was promoted to Zone III. Cyprus also participates in the Fed Cup, the ITF/ETA Development Champioships, the European Junior Tournaments (-14, -16, -18), the Copa del Sol and in a number of other international tournaments all around Europe. In addition to that, several International tournaments are organized in Cyprus every year, the most of important of which are the ITF Junior (-18)World Ranking Tournament (Group 4)“Aprodite Cup”, the ITF Men’s Future $10.000 and the Cyprus Seniors International Tournament. At the National level, CTF organizes the National Championships, the Junior National, the Troodos Open, the Interclub Championship and the Pancyprian and Open Tournaments organized by the Full and Associated members of the CTF.
1999 Inauguration of the National Tennis Center in Nicosia
and introduction of the “Mini-Tennis” in public schools
CTF’s President Philios Christodoulou vision of a National Tennis Centre became a reality in the city of Nicosia. Four tennis courts with a total capacity of 2.000 spectators, a multipurpose indoor hall and a gymnastic centre comprise a modern tennis facility aimed to further promote tennis in Cyprus.
Also, ITF’s school tennis initiative, the Mini-Tennis was introduced in all major public elementary schools in Cyprus and tennis was included in the “Sports for All” programme of the Cyprus Sports Organization.
2000 5-year Strategic Plan by the CTF
Impressive tennis results by the junior champion Marcos Baghdatis.
With the asssistance of the ITF and the TE, the CTF formulated a medium-term 5-year strategic plan, the first to be conceived by a Cypriot sporting federation.
Also, a Development Fund was set up by the CTF to support and reward the exceptional efforts and results by the country’s top junior players.
Marcos Baghdatis at age 15, won the ITF Group 4 “Aphrodite Cup” for juniors under 18 becoming the first Cypriot tennis junior to reach such an achievement.
Baghdatis ended the year with a world junior under 18 ranking of 27 and an ATP ranking of 1200 following his impressive performance which resulted in reaching the quarterfinals of the Cyprus ITF Futures $10.000 championships.
2001 Cyprus Tennis Federation’s Golden Jubillee Year
European Tennis Association’s (ETA) AGM in Cyprus
Inauguration of the National Tennis Center in Nicosia
The Cyprus Tennis Federation celebrates its Golden Jubillee Year (1951- 2001)
The Annual General Meeting of the European Tennis Association (ETA) is held in Cyprus.
CTF’s President Philios Christodoulou vision of a National Tennis Centre (NTC) becomes a reality with the facility’s construction and inauguration. The NTC is based in the city of Nicosia and comprises of a modern tennis facility aimed to further promote tennis in Cyprus. It includes four clay courts with a total capacity of 2000 spectators, a multipurpose indoor hall and a fully equipped gymnastic centre. The inauguration festivities were impressive and included among other things, the unveiling of the “Tennis Player” statue and the opening of a photographic exhibition “50 years of Tennis in Cyprus”.
2002-2003 Marcos Baghdatis
Our junior player Marcos Baghdatis won many top-rated tournaments and he ended the year 2002 as No.2 and from the beginning of 2003 is the No.1 of the ITF world junior ranking. Furthermore other junior players had excellent results.
Baghdatis in September 2003 had an ATP ranking of 190
2004-2005
Marcos Baghdatis continued his excellent performance in 2004 and 2005. One of the most important successes in his career was his participation in the 2005 Olympic Games in Athens. He won in the first round the French player Garage (No. 75) while he lost to the German Nicholas Kiefer (No.18) 2-1 sets. Regardless his defeat Marcos left the best impressions.
After the Athens Olympic Games he participated in the US OPEN where he won all his qualification matches and then in main draw he competed against the French player Mutis and won with 3-1 sets. In the second round Marcos played against the World Champion Roger Federer and succeeded to gain one set.
Although Marcos was defeated by Federer, the American Broadcasting channels were very impressed by his performance and assured that he is having a great future in tennis.
In 2005 Marcos participated in the Australian Open. After winning 3 matches in the qualies he competed successfully against the Italian Luzzi, the Croatian Ljubicic (No.22) and the Spanish Robredo (No. 13). His accession stopped only when he faced again the World Champion Roger Federer where he lost 3-0 sets.
Marcos was also the winner of Future Tournaments in Bolton and Tatra Banka Open in Bratislava where he beat Dominik Hrbaty in the final.
His best performance was in October 2005 when he took the 2nd place at the Basel Davidoff Swiss Indoors ($829,000) who lost to Fernando Gonzalez (ATP No. 11) in a dramatic match (3-1) sets. Following three victories in qualification matches, Marcos beat Alan Mackin(GBR) 2-0 sets, Tommy Haas(GER) 2-0 sets, Jose Acasuso(ARG) 2-0 sets and David Nalbandian (AGR) ATP No.11 2-0 sets.
The above victories brought Marcos in the 55th place of ATP Ranking.
Another Cypriot player Phodos Kallias had in 2005 excellent results. He won the Elite Cup (F3) and the Stirol Cup (F1) both in Ukraine whilst he reached the semi finals in Poland Future Tournament.
THE PROFILE OF THE CYPRUS TENNIS FEDERATION
Year of Foundation: 1951
The persons who offered their services as Presidents of the Cyprus Tennis Federation in chronological sequence are the following:
1/3-8/4/51 K. Stefani
9/4-30/9/51 G. Richards
June 1953-July 1954 R. Scott
July 1954-February 1956 R. Scott
February 1956-March 1957 Lc. Col. Ricketts
March 1957-April 1959 M. Greham
April 1959-March 1961 A. McLaughlan
March 1961-July 1968 A. Lantsias
September 1968-March 1970 K. Ergatoudes
April 1970 – June 1972 Dr. G. Michaelides
July 1972 – March 1974 K. Ergatoudes
April 1974 – September 1976 T. Hadjioannou
October 1976-March 1980 Ch. Christofides
April 1980 – March 1982 A. Tryfon
April 1982 – today Ph. Christodoulou
Head Office:
Olympic House
21 Amfipoleos Str. A203
P. O. Box 23931
1687 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel:+35722449860 / 61
Fax:+35722668016
Number of Licensed Players:
Men: 700
Women: 300
Juniors: 1100
Recreational Players (hobby): 500
Mini Tennis at schools 6620
Total: 9220
Total number of players (estimated) in Cyprus:
12.000 players
Number of Clubs/Tennis Centres:
6 Full Members and 10 Associate Members
CTF Full Member Tennis Clubs:
• Nicosia Tennis Club – Field Club Tel.: 22668041
• Larnaca Tennis Club Tel.: 24656999
• Famagusta Tennis Club Tel.: 25335952
• Limassol Sporting Club Tel.: 25564697
• Paphos Tennis Club Tel.: 99628165
• Paralimni Tennis Club Tel.: 99658444
CTF Associate Member Tennis Clubs:
• Eleon Tennis Club Tel.: 22679923
• Laiki Sporting Club Tel.: 22484815
• Bank of Cyprus Sporting Center Tel.: 22560222
• Valley Tennis Club Tel.: 99684105
• Sunrise Beach Hotel Tel.: 23831501
• Yeroskipou Tennis Club Tel: 26941669
• Aldiana Hotel Tel: 24849000
• Aphrodite Tennis Hills Tel: 26828100
• Golden Coast Hotel Tel: 23814000
• School of Tennis Ioannides Tel: 99619906
National Tennis Centre:
Based in Nicosia with 4 clay courts, a multipurpose hall,
a gymnastic centre, offices, archives, etc.
Centre Court capacity: 2500 seated
Number of Tennis Courts:
70 outdoor courts
1 indoor court
Official Publications:
40 Years of Tennis in Cyprus
Tennis-Child-Game
Sponsors 2007:
BLU Sparkling Water – Official Sponsor
CYTANET – Tournament Sponsor
OPAP
Annual Prize Giving Ceremony:
“Day of Tennis”
Official Tournaments:
About 40 Official Tournaments
Development – National Teams:
9 coaches
Development Programmes & National Team Training:
• National Teams (all categories)
• ESYAA (National Programme for sports promotion and development at the Clubs)
• Development Programmes for Talented Players
• School Tennis Initiative Programme “Mini Tennis”
• Performance Tennis Initiative
• “Sports for All” Programme by Cyprus Sport Organisation
• Development Programme for Women’s Tennis
Cyprus Tennis Coaches Association:
50 Members
Umpires Association:
30 Members (1 White Badge Referee)