For the third consecutive year, Portugal played host to the prestigious ITF Masters World Championships, featuring age groups 30, 35, and 40. After being held in Türkiye in 2023, the championships returned to the courts of Lisbon and Oeiras, where tennis players from across the globe competed for one of the most coveted titles in the sport. This year’s event saw the participation of 100 teams and 308 players, and notably, China made history in the Individual event, further enriching the tournament’s legacy.

A Global Gathering of Talent

Over twelve months since the last edition for the 30, 35, and 40+ age groups, the ITF Masters World Championships in Portugal brought together tennis enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. The entries were impressive, with 100 teams competing across three renowned venues in Lisbon: CDN Jamor, Club Internacional de Foot-Ball (CIF), and Clube Escola de Ténis (CETO).

The players competed for the ultimate prize on the ITF Masters Tour—World Championship gold medals. What made this year’s event particularly special was the participation of several former ATP and WTA stars, adding a layer of prestige and intensity to the competition. Among those gracing the courts were former world No. 99 Pedro Sousa, former women’s world No. 35 Nuria Llagostera, current ATP No. 986 Mark Whitehouse, and former tour players Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Alberta Brianti.

Team Competitions: Dominance, Comebacks, and Thrilling Finals

The team competitions were nothing short of thrilling, with several nations emerging victorious in tightly contested finals. Germany showcased its strength in the Men’s 30 Team Cup, where Jakob Sude and Nils Brinkmann led the charge to secure a victory against the USA. On the women’s side, Germany’s Romy Koelzer and Jil Nora Engelmann triumphed over Great Britain in a dominant performance.

In the Italia Cup (M35), France edged out Great Britain in a dramatic 2-1 victory, where two fiercely fought singles matches led to a deciding doubles showdown. Meanwhile, Italy successfully defended their Suzanne Lenglen Cup (W35) title, with Alberta Brianti and Giulia Gatto-Monticone leading the team to a commanding victory over Portugal.

The Tony Trabert Cup (M40) final saw the Netherlands pull off an incredible comeback, rallying from a set and a break down to win the deciding doubles match 2-6, 7-6, 10-6. Spain triumphed in the Young Cup (W40) final, with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Cristina Fontelles Sureda leading the way in a victory over defending champions Germany.

Individual Highlights: A Historic Win for China

The individual event saw several standout performances, but none more historic than China’s Min Lui, who became the first player from China and only the third Asian player ever to win an ITF Masters World Championships title. Lui’s 6-1, 6-2 victory over Germany’s Anna Katharina Lueke in the Women’s Singles 30+ final was a monumental moment in the tournament’s history.

Germany’s Manon Kruse also made waves, securing a triple crown by winning titles in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles in the 40+ Women’s category. Fellow German Kim Moeller clinched victory in the Men’s Singles 35+, defeating Spain’s Carlo Garcia-Villanueva 6-4, 6-3.

In a thrilling 30+ Mixed Doubles final, India’s Chandril Sood and Austria’s Kerstin Peckl edged out Arauzo Martinez and Kadi Liis Saar in a match tiebreak, 17-15, to win the title. Bart De Gier of the Netherlands celebrated a successful World Championships, defeating France’s Jacques Gley 6-4, 6-3 in the Men’s Singles 40+ final.

On home soil, Portugal’s Rita Freitas defended her Women’s Singles 35+ title, much to the delight of the local crowd. Freitas’ victory in Lisbon marked her second consecutive win, further solidifying her place as one of the country’s top tennis talents.

A Celebration of Tennis and Its Benefits

The ITF Masters World Championships remains the pinnacle event on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour, which aims to inspire players to train, compete, and enjoy the numerous benefits of tennis—both physical and mental. The Masters Tour is a celebration of camaraderie and sportsmanship across generations, with players over the age of 30 competing in categories all the way up to 90+.

Beyond competition, tennis has been shown to offer remarkable health benefits. Studies have demonstrated that playing tennis can increase life expectancy by 9.7 years, reduce overall mortality risk by 47%, and lower cardiovascular mortality by 59%. The sport’s focus on endurance, strategy, and physical fitness makes it a lifelong activity for those who participate in the ITF Masters Tour.

This year’s event also highlighted the use of the ITF World Tennis Number (WTN), a global rating system that helps players find competitive matches and enter tournaments. WTN serves as an entry criterion for Masters tournaments, helping players choose suitable events based on their rankings.

The Legacy of the 2024 ITF Masters World Championships

Matt Byford, Head of ITF Masters, captured the essence of the event when he said, “The ITF Masters 30, 35, 40 World Championships embodies the spirit of global unity and competitive excellence. We celebrate not only the high level of tennis but also the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and remarkable health benefits the sport offers our players.”

The 2024 ITF Masters World Championships in Portugal, with its blend of thrilling matches, historic moments, and exceptional venues, will be remembered as a showcase of the best the Masters Tour has to offer. As the tour continues to grow, with over 30,000 players participating in more than 500 tournaments worldwide, the event in Lisbon and Oeiras remains a beacon of the ITF’s mission to inspire and unite tennis players across generations.