NEWS

Team Solinco athletes dominated the ITF Masters World Championships in Mexico City this year! Congratulations to Peter Smith and Polo Cowan who achieved the championship win for Team USA in Mens 60s. Congrats are also in order for Garry Nadebaum representing Team Australia for his team championship win in the Mens 55s.

Peter Smith and Polo Cowan were selected by the USTA to represent Team USA in the American Vonn Cramm Cup (men’s 60 & over). Garry Nadebaum represented Australia in the Mens 55s individual and team events. All were chosen for their superior ability, top ranking, and extensive experience in competitive national and international tournaments that often underscores a lifelong dedication to tennis.

The ITF World Team Championships boast a global tournament with team and individual competitions that engage high-level adult players of all age groups, from all corners of the world. Previous competitions have been held in Lisbon, Antalya, Tokyo, and Manavgat. This year’s tournament took place in Mexico City.

Peter Smith and Polo Cowan formed the formidable doubles team. Many in SoCal will know Peter for his remarkable tenure coaching the USC men’s tennis team to 5 NCAA championships. With a 629-232 (.731) career coaching record, he leads the nation with 21 national men’s tennis team titles. Today, he runs the show as the Director of Tennis at the Jack Kramer Club.

Polo Cowan is a returning competitor to the ITF Worlds Championships. A NorCal native and top doubles specialist, he is the USTA’s No. 1 ranked doubles player in his age group. Tennis has been a part of his life since watching his parents play in his hometown in Peru. Polo played on the Pro circuit for a short time. He is a 3-time ITF Worlds Champion (2019, 2023, 2024) winning each title with his Blackout 300 racquet in both the individual and team divisions.

Garry Nadebaum is a Team Solinco athlete and Director of Tennis at the Riverhill Country Club. He is ranked #1 in the ITF World Masters Tour Rankings in Men’s 55s Doubles and #13 in Men’s 55’s singles.

TEAM USA RECAP

Pairing Peter and Polo was a pivotal decision by the USTA, as the doubles team is usually the decider and the ones to close out the tournament. Their complementary game styles are only part of the story; their relationship dates back 40 years to their days on the ATP Satellite Tour.

“The camaraderie amongst the team was very smooth,” said Polo Cowan. “Specifically in the doubles, Peter and myself were a great match due to contrasting styles. I’m a serve and volleyer, and Peter is more of a great returner which gives me opportunities to do my thing at the net.”

With two singles matches won and one singles match lost for Team USA, the deciding and final doubles match was set against Team France. Peter and Polo remained in the drivers seat, defeating Team France 6-4, 7-6 for the championship.

Both Peter and Polo use a full Solinco setup. Both are early adopters of the Solinco Blackout, noting its solid feel, and excellent access to power and pop. Peter plays with Confidential and Polo with Hyper-G.

TEAM AUSTRALIA RECAP

Gary Nadebaum of Australia is no stranger to ITF competitions. He has represented his country for the 11th straight year in Mexico City. Gary and his partner Eoin Collins won four tough matches before defeating Nuno Delfino (Portugal) and Marcelo Amaro de Silveira Maciel (Brazil) 6-3, 6-1 to claim the title in Mens 55s doubles. With this win, he achieved back-to-back doubles titles and his third world championship triumph.

Gary also won three rounds of singles before losing in the round of 16, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, in a four-hour battle against Spaniard Javier Linares Corral.

Gary plays with Tour Bite Soft and has won multiple titles with the string.

Congratulations to all of the Team Solinco players who competed in the ITF World Championships this year!!