About the IC

January 2017
Further Information

Further Information

About the IC

 IC Philanthropy

 IC Brochure

 Story of the IC Junior Challenge

IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award

Guides

 Guidance Notes on Establishing an IC

Guidelines for Staging Major IC Events

General Information

 IC Constitution

 Competition Definitions

 Categories of IC Matches

Competition Rules:

 IC La Carreta Trophy Rules

 IC Columbus Trophy Rules

 IC Potter Cup Rules

 IC Weeks Rules

 Amended IC Week 2019 Competition Rules

 Trophee Robert Abdesselam

 IC Juego de Pelota Rules

 The IC Rod Laver Worldwide Junior Challenge Rules

 Mate del Plata Rules

IC Timeline

WA. Wallis Myers, supported by Lord Balfour, the service British Prime Minister, and Dwight David, donor of the Davis Cup, founds the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain in a meeting at the RAC Club in London.  The IC’s post-war purpose was to cement the ties that bind all international players: “hands across the net, in fact, means hands across the ocean.” The IC’s colours are pink and grey.

 IC of France becomes the second IC, adding a second pink stripe to the IC of GB’s grey tie.

IC of the USA becomes the third IC, adding a third pink stripe

At the start of the Second World War there are six ICs. The three new ones are: The Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and Sweden.  More stripes on the tie. Czechoslovakia has already succumbed to the political pressures of the pre-war period and is in suspense, a state of affairs that lasts until after the end of the Cold War. 

The IC resumes its activities after the Second World War: the ICs meet in Paris.

The Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs (IC Council) is formed in London to approve the formation of new ICs and protect and foster the ideals of the IC.  Representatives of all ICs will meet once year during Wimbledon.

The IC of The Netherlands hosts a “festival of tennis” the first of many IC Weeks. It inaugurates the Windmill Trophy.

The Seal of the IC, with its view of the tennis court and the world, is adopted. Benvolentia (Goodwill), Virtus (Valour), Amicitia (Friendship), and victory through Aequitas (Sportsmanship) is its motto.

There are now 14 ICs: Belgium, Argentina, Denmark, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand and Italy have added their pink stripes.

The Potter Cup, a veterans’ competition for men, is established, playing first in Biarritz before moving to Barcelona.

The Orsini Trophy is established as an IC Council's men’s consolation event in IC Weeks.

There are now 20 ICs: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico, Japan and Monaco have joined.

7 new ICs are formed in the 80s making 27 in all: Monaco, Uruguay, Luxembourg, Brazil, Pakistan, Israel and The Bahamas

Ladies became eligible for ordinary playing membership of the IC in 1988; and in 1989 the IC of GB becomes the first to elect women members: Winnie Wooldridge and France Taylor.

Juniors become eligible for junior associate membership of the IC.

The Columbus Trophy for senior veterans’ men (Over-55 and Over-65) is established as an IC Council Event.

The Mercelis Trophy for women is established as an IC Council event during IC Weeks.

6 new ICs are formed in the 90s making 33 in all: Hong Kong, Hungary, Austria, Norway, Ireland and Russia Stefan Edberg is the first winner of the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Week on grass at the All England Club Wimbledon celebrates the IC of GB's 75th Anniversary. Winnie Wooldridge Trophy is established as the IC Council's women’s consolation event in IC Weeks.

Chris Evert wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Todd Martin wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Maria Bueno wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

The IC Junior Challenge, a team event for 16 and under boys and girls, is established. The Compass Group are major donors.

Pat Rafter wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Lacoste, long-time supporters of the IC of France, become donors to the IC Council.

HSBC support the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Banque de Luxembourg become donors to the IC Council and support the IC’s first philanthropy project for under-privileged children in Burundi.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Sydney.

Gabriela Sabatini runs the first philanthropy clinic for under-privileged children at the IC Junior Challenge regional event in Argentina.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Auckland.

IC Council founds IC Philanthropy (ICP) to help under-privileged children through tennis.

Kim Clijsters wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in New Delhi.

ICP forms a partnership with “Give it Your Max” to run The Tennis Ball which funds ICP projects.

Gustavo Kuerten wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

Matts Wilander wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held in Adelaide.

Roger Federer wins the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award. CQS supports the IC of the Czech Republic’s June 4-Nations Event in Prague and becomes a major donor to the IC Council giving its name to the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held on the grass at Wimbledon.

Steffi Graff wins the IC Jean Borotra CQS Sportsmanship Award.

Rod Laver wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship CQS Award.

IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals are held at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

Gabriela Sabatini wins the IC Jean Borotra Sportsmanship CQS Award.

First Ladies Potter Cup event, named the Two Presidents' Cup.

IC of Japan hosts IC Junior Challenge World Finals in Tokyo and celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The Fundação Lemann and Palantir Technologies take over from The Compass Group as the ICJC’s major donors.

9 new ICs are formed in the second millennium making 42 ICs in all: Barbados, Bulgaria, Bermuda, Finland, Romania, Singapore, Chile and Croatia.

The IC has 4,500 members worldwide.

ICP is sustaining 13 international projects.

Rod Laver gives his name to the IC Junior Challenge Worldwide Finals.

IC Week in Le Touquet celebrates IC of France's 90th Anniversary.

The coronavirus forces the cancellation of many IC events and postpones the award of the 2019 IC Jean Borotra CQS Award to Rafael Nadal. The IC Council introduces videoconferencing for its meetings.