ITF and International Hall of Fame Honors Emilio Sanchez

Written by: Staff on 7th December 2011

ITF and International Hall of Fame Honors Emilio Sanchez

Spanish tennis players (L) celebrate with the Davis Cup trophy in front of Argentina's team (back R) as Spain's King Juan Carlos II (2nd R) and Tennis International Federation President Francesco Ricci Bitti (R) look on after the last match of the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentinaat the Olympic stadium in Seville, southern Spain, 04 December 2011. Nadal won 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 and 7-6 (0) and achieved the fifth Davis Cup title for Spain. EPA/JOSE MANUEL VIDAL |

The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have announced that Emilio Sanchez of Spain is the recipient of the 2011 Davis Cup Award of Excellence. ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and 1984 Hall of Famer Manolo Santana, a previous recipient of the Davis Cup Award of Excellence, presented the award to Sanchez this past weekend during the 2011 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Final.

A member of one of Spain’s most prominent tennis families, Sanchez competed in Davis Cup for his nation 12 times between 1984 and 1996, compiling a 32-23 record. In 2005, he took on the role of captain, and in 2008 he led the Spanish team to the Davis Cup title, defeating Argentina. In addition to his Davis Cup involvement, Sanchez was part of the Spanish teams that won the Hopman Cup in 1990 and the World Team Cup in 1992. With Sergio Casal, he won the men’s doubles silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games.

Each year since 2001, the ITF and the Hall of Fame have presented the Davis Cup Award of Excellence to a person who represents the ideals and spirit of the Davis Cup competition. The award was developed to recognize the importance of Davis Cup by honoring individuals who best represent the ideals of the competition’s founder, Dwight Davis. It is presented annually to a member of a past or present Davis Cup team, who is from the country/region where the Final is being held.

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