LODZ,POLAND: This tournament joined the ITF Seniors circuit in 2010 offering all age categories in both Men’s and Women’s events.
As a result of its success in 2010, it was upgraded in its first year and it has continued to build on this in 2011.
The Men's 35s age group proved to be very popular in 2011 tripling in the amount of players compared to 2010. Current world number 62 Benjamin Budziak who held the number one spot in September 2009 was to take the title against Tomasz Wojtowicz 62 64.
The Men’s 55s saw at least 7 returning players from 2010 including Wladyslaw Kroliczak. After losing in the first round in 2010, he was to return in style in 2011 to take this title.
In the Men's 65s, world number 13 Roman Mrozek took the title against Maciek Aleksandrowicz 61 75. This was a great final to watch as Roman fought back from 52 down in the second set to take the title. Maciek, who lost the second set explained afterwards that he had low energy levels as a result of his three set semifinal match against Boleslaw Wisniewski.
In 70+ Kaczmarek Juliusz managed to win in three sets against Wilenski Bronislaw but his knees could not take any more so he had to resign from double matches.
The Men's 75's was to prove very popular with current world number 18 Aleksander Denca taking top spot. He was to progress as winner from his round robin group to face Janusz Kolodziejczyk in the final. After a tight first set, Aleksander was to take the set 75. Janusz fought back in the second to take this 64 but unfortunately was forced to retire with the score 23 in the final set.
The Men's 85s event took place as a round robin. The title going to Henryk Kolankowski aged 89 years even though he lost a match to second placed 90 year old Eugeniusz Czerepaniak. At the players’ party Eugeniusz explained his goal was to organize a group of Men's 90s in Poland. He stil has to wait for two more players to reach the same age as he is now. As with the 2010 event, he received a standing ovation for his good performance as well as the oldest tennis player taking part in this event
The Women's 45s/50s saw finalist Beata Mnichowska return from 2010. She was to go one step further in 2011 and take the title against reigning champion Izbella Gilewicz 64 63.
Current world number 13 Teresa Stochel was to take top seed in the Women's 55s/60s. She justified her ranking by progressing to the final without dropping a set. She continued this fine form in the final by taking the title against Zofia Ruminska 62 75.
In addition to the above, players were treated to doubles and mixed doubles which will attract ITF ranking points in 2012.