AMERICAN TEAMS CLAIM THREE TITLES AT 2015 ITF SENIORS WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Mitchell Perkins of Seattle placed fifth in the Fred Perry Cup at the ITF Seniors World Team Championships, the senior equivalent of tennis’ Davis Cup and Fed Cup competitions. The ITF Seniors World Team Championships is the highest-ranked event on the ITF Seniors Circuit for male and female players in the age categories 50-60, and took place over the past week in La Baule, France. The U.S. brought home titles in the Austria Cup (Men’s 55), Maria Esther Bueno Cup (Women’s 50) and Alice Marble Cup (Women’s 60) but was unable to defend the title in the Maureen Connolly Cup (Women’s 55) for the fourth consecutive year.

Perkins, 51, learned to play tennis at age six from his father. His successes on the court continued throughout his junior career, turning pro at 18. He has been teaching tennis for 26 years since his pro tour. Perkins is coached by his life partner, X Games gold medalist and tennis coach, Janet Matthews.

When he is not representing the United States in foreign competitions he is an active USTA League player in the Adult 18 & Over 5.0+ division. USTA League is the country’s largest recreational tennis league, helping players nationwide enjoy the thrill of competition while making friends, improving skills and staying active. USTA League offers several league programs throughout the year that vary by gender, age, and skill level divisions. Division formats also vary by offering singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

Following the ITF Seniors World Team Championships, the World Individual Championships will be held June 14-21.

Below is a list of the top U.S. team results at the 2015 ITF Seniors World Team Championships:

Fred Perry Cup - Men’s 50 & over (5th Place)

1. Ken White, Elma, N.Y. (Captain)

2. Mitchell Perkins, Seattle

3. Kelly Ward, League City, Texas

4. Douglas Elly, Springfield, Mo.

Austria Cup – Men’s 55 & over (1st Place – USA d. Spain, 2-1)

1. Vallis Wilder, Fort Worth, Texas

2. Michael Fedderly, Palm Desert, Calif.

3. Michael Tammen, Portland, Ore. (Captain)

4. Bill Godfrey, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Von Cramm Cup – Men’s 60 & over (2nd Place – Australia d. USA, 3-0)

1. Bill Ashley, Greensboro, N.C.

2. Paul Wulf, Salem, Ore.

3. Chris Bennett, Marlton, N.J.

4. Tom Smith, Alpharetta, Ga. (Captain)

Maria Esther Bueno Cup - Women’s 50 & over (1st Place – USA d. France, 2-1)

1. Ros Nideffer, San Diego

2. Fran Chandler, Jackson, Tenn.

3. Gretchen Rush, San Antonio

4. Tracy Houk, Montara, Calif. (Captain)

Maureen Connolly Cup- Women’s 55 & over (4th Place – Great Britain d. USA, 2-1)

1. Diane Barker, Daniel Island, S.C.

2. Susan Wright, Grand Junction, Colo. (Captain)

3. Ann Pellow, Davis, Calif.

4. Kathy Vick, Lubbock, Texas

Alice Marble Cup - Women’s 60 & over (1st Place – USA d. Great Britain, 2-1)

1. Tina Karwasky, Glendale, Calif.

2. Wendy McColskey, Durham, N.C.

3. Carolyn Nichols, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

4. Sherri Bronson, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Captain)

To register for a USTA League please visit www.usta.com