Gladiatorial battles crown France, Spain and Great Britain in Rome
Hosted for the first time in Rome, Italy, the 2026 edition of the Masters World Team Championships for players aged 50 and above through to 55 and above saw 90 teams from across 30 nations compete for a gold medal.
The allure of the Italian capital — and the promise of la dolce vita — attracted an array of World Tennis Masters stars, including several former ATP and WTA players. In a city famed for its gladiators, the courts were a colosseum, and finals day delivered battles worthy of the setting.
Finals day produced double delight for France, who captured both men’s Cups, while Great Britain spoiled the Italian festa to win the Women’s 55+ Maureen Connolly Cup for the first time. Spain successfully defended their title in the Women’s 50+ Maria Esther Bueno Cup.
The home crowd’s hopes rested on the Women’s 55+ Cup, where Italy faced surprise finalists Great Britain. The opening singles rubber became an instant classic: Anne Meredith defeated Katy Agnelli 7‑6(2) 6‑7(4) 6‑3 in an extraordinary four hours and seven minutes.
Both players displayed remarkable endurance and tenacity in a contest that neither deserved to lose. In contrast, the second singles match was one‑way traffic, with Teresa Catlin defeating Silvia Sanna 6‑0 6‑3 to secure a 2‑0 victory for Great Britain.
Spain impressed once again in the Women’s 50+ Cup, defending the title they won in 2025. Noelia Perez‑Penate overcame USA’s Amanda Parson‑Siegal 6‑3, 7‑5 despite vociferous American support, before Gisela Riera‑Roura dominated former World Champion Julie Thu 6‑0 6‑3 to clinch the title and spark joyous Spanish celebrations.
In the Men’s 50+ Fred Perry Cup, France upset the odds against a formidable Spanish team led by serial World Champion Roberto Menendez Ferre, competing in the 50+ category for the first time.
Cyrille Monet edged Mario Perea in a tight three‑setter, before Menendez Ferre levelled the tie with a commanding 6‑1 6‑1 win over Xavier Audouy. The deciding doubles saw Audouy exact revenge, teaming with Christophe Gibiard to defeat Menendez Ferre and Manuel Angel Sala Martin de Ruedas 10‑5 in the match tiebreak.
France also clinched the Men’s 55+ Austria Cup in similar fashion, defeating favourites Netherlands in the deciding doubles. After one‑sided singles wins for Netherlands’s Fernon Wibier and France’s Benoit Halle, the tie stood level.
The French pair of Bruno Breistroff and Halle then produced an emphatic 6‑2 6‑2 victory over former ATP Doubles World No. 1 and current Davis Cup Captain Paul Haarhuis and his partner Hendrik‑Jan Davids.
Attention now turns to the Masters World Individual Championships (50–55), taking place from 11–18 July, when players will battle for individual glory across singles, doubles and mixed doubles events in Rome.
Click here for all 50-55 Team Cup results
Click here for the 50-55 Individual draws and results
Keen to be a part of future Masters World Championships throughout the age categories from 30 – 90+? Find out how you can register for the World Tennis Masters Tour here.