Photo: Paul Zimmer/ITF
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Tuesday that, as of 2021, the Men’s 85 World Team Championships will be renamed the Lorne Main Cup after the late Canadian. Lorne Main was selected for the honour following a unanimous vote by the ITF Seniors Committee, and approval from the ITF Board of Directors, after his name was put forward by Tennis Canada as part of the nomination process.
Lorne Main, who sadly passed away in October 2019 at the age of 89, competed in 11 Grand Slam tournaments as a professional player and won the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters in 1954. He was a member of the Canadian Davis Cup team from 1949 to 1955 and was the Captain from 1958 to 1961.
Following his retirement, Lorne Main became a true legend in the tennis world for his exploits on the Seniors Circuit. His 40 titles in every age category, from 55 to 80 years and over, ensures he is recognized as one of the most successful players in the history of the ITF Seniors Circuit. He was also the very first recipient of the ITF Outstanding Achievement Award in Seniors Tennis.
“Tennis is a sport for life, and no one exemplified that more than Lorne,” commented David Haggerty, President of the ITF. “To have competed on the Seniors Circuit for over 30 years, winning titles at every age category he competed in, is remarkable. But to have also competed at Grand Slams and represented Canada in the Davis Cup as both a player and captain, makes his achievements unparalleled.
“Lorne has a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of players and the ITF are pleased to recognize that through the naming of the Lorne Main Cup. It has also been agreed that the Women’s 85 World Team Cup will be named after the British player, Grand Slam Champion and International Tennis Hall of Fame member, Angela Mortimer.”
“Tennis Canada is honoured to have one of its preeminent players recognized in such a prestigious way,” said Jennifer Bishop, Tennis Canada’s Chair of the Board.
“We are very grateful to the ITF Seniors Committee for their unanimous decision to rename the 85 World Team Championships after Lorne Main, who was a great ambassador for our sport and represented Canada with immense pride. Lorne made a very meaningful contribution to Canadian tennis throughout his life and, on a personal note, played a major role in my development as a player and as a person. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honour.”
“We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the International Tennis Federation for this wonderful honour,” commented Lorne’s son, Kevin, on behalf of the Main family. “It is a fitting tribute to a man who played at the highest levels of the sport for almost 80 years. Tennis was his life, and nothing made him prouder than wearing the Tennis Canada emblem on his chest while competing at the highest levels of the sport. There was also nothing that made him happier than the friendships he made throughout a lifetime playing tennis.
“He loved the competition, but he cherished the friendships more than anyone will ever know. We have been fortunate to have a front row seat for his entire journey in Senior and Super Senior tennis, and we can share with you that this honour is deeply meaningful to us all. Our family is so grateful to the many dear friends who opened their hearts to us throughout the years, and to Tennis Canada, for all the years of unwavering support.”
