Kruse achieves unprecedented quadruple at world championships | ITF
Article 15 Aug 2022

Kruse achieves unprecedented quadruple at world championships

Paul Midgley

15 Aug 2022

One player stood head and shoulders above the rest at the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour - 30-35-40-45 World Individual Championships in Lisbon, Portugal last week.

Manon Kruse, of Germany, became the first player ever in the 30-35-40-45 age groups to win all four world titles at the same event: Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Teams. The German sealed the historic feat alongside compatriot Franz Stauder, in the Mixed 40 Doubles.

“I am exhausted,” Kruse said after the victory. “I didn’t let myself feel the pain that I was in. What I really enjoy about the World Championships is the friends I have made, and how respectful everyone here is. I really felt the support of the people around me, and that helped me win today.

“Apart from being exhausted, I am very proud. There is not much more I can achieve; it hasn’t really sunk in yet!”

Kruse kicked off her title tilt with a narrow victory over Maria Victoria Domina in the Women’s 40 Singles. The German then teamed up with 2021 treble winner Steffi Bachofer to win the Women’s 35 Doubles, before completing the quadruple with Stauder in a thrilling match tie-break victory.

Elsewhere, another fairy tale run unfolded in the 30 division. Goncalo Falcao, of Portugal, took down Ivan Korol 6-3 6-4 in the Men’s 30 Singles to kickstart a treble-winning day for the home favourite. Falcao went on to win the Men’s 30 Doubles alongside Tony Holzinger and lifted the Mixed 30 Doubles with American Mariana Correa to complete an exceptional week.

The Men’s 35 Doubles saw an emotional victory for Ukrainians Andriy Baidikov and Viacheslav Siedoplatov. In an extremely close and high-quality final against American duo Tyler Browne and Nicholas Brunner, the Ukrainians fought back from a set down to prevail 5-7 7-5 10-5. With both players’ participation in doubt before the event began, the win proved a poignant moment.

Portuguese stars Fred Gil and Rita Freitas ensured more home success in the 35 age group, each winning the singles title before falling to Germans Bachofer and Holzinger in the Mixed 35 Doubles final. Gil upgraded his runner-up position in 2021 to claim the main prize, while Freitas won the gold on her debut appearance at the World Individual Championships.

Germany improved their medal haul in the Women’s 30s, with Natali Gumbrecht defeating Eileen Aranas-Roth 6-3 6-0 to capture the singles title. Aranas-Roth exacted revenge in the doubles final, however, teaming up with last year’s champion, Almudena Sanz-Llaneza Fernandez, to beat Gumbrecht and Christine Kraupa to the trophy.

In an all-French affair, Nicolas Tourte prevailed over countryman Romain Jurd with a clinical 6-1 6-0 victory. Tourte proved the dominant performer throughout the week, not dropping a set en route to the gold medal.

Similarly, Roberto Menendez Ferre dismantled the field to seal yet another world title by defeating Wojtek Bratek 6-1 6-0 in the Men’s 45 Singles. The Spaniard now has an impressive nine singles world titles, barely dropping a game on his way to the 2022 title.

Barbara Mulej is not far behind Menendez Ferre in the gold medal department. The Slovenian picked up her fourth singles world title in the Women’s 45s, defeating Susi Fortun Lohrmann courtesy of an unfortunate retirement from the German.

You can find the full results here:

30-35-40-45 World Individual Championships Draws and Results

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