A world premiere. The ITF Masters 40 and 45 World Championships brought together the global elite of players in these categories from August 8 to 15 in Lisbon and Oeiras, Portugal. Rija Rajaobelina represented the tennis of the Great Island. Competing in the +45 category, this first international experience turned into a real full-scale test for the captain of the Akomba in the 2026 Davis Cup.
Madagascan tennis for players over 35 is taking on a new dimension. The reform of the national ranking desired by the National Technical Directorate, with categories for +35, +45, +55, +65, and +72, aims to align the Malagasy system with international categories. Rija Rajaobelina’s journey in Portugal demonstrates the value of this evolution.
At 54, Rija chose to enter the Masters 45 draw rather than a category more suited to his age. He found himself in a particularly competitive world draw with 128 players, a format that gives the tournament a dimension comparable to a major professional tournament.
For his debut, the Malagasy player performed perfectly. He dominated American Tim Beagle, 54, with a resounding score of 6/0, 6/0. In the second round, he confirmed his form against Swiss player Philippe Ruch, 47, a seeded player and then ranked 73rd in the world, with a 6/2, 6/2 victory.
Rija then faced Ukrainian Andriy Baidikov, 45, ranked 14th in the world and former world number 1 in the Masters 40 in 2024. The Malagasy player lost 6/4, 7/5, but against an opponent who would continue to make waves later in the tournament.
The Ukrainian’s performance helps to better measure Rajaobelina’s achievement. In the round of 16, Baidikov fought a tough battle against Spaniard Francisco Javier Martínez Baena, the No. 4 seed. The Ukrainian won the first set 7/6 before losing 6/4, 6/1.
“A third round in the M45 category when you are 55, I say bravo Captain! The fact that Rija played in the world championships will inspire our local veterans who are highly motivated,” said Dally Randriantefy, National Director of the Malagasy Tennis Federation.
For Rija Rajaobelina, this first world participation is particularly encouraging. Several opponents advised him to try his luck in the Masters 55 next year, believing he could play a leading role and even aim for a world title.
In any case, his Portuguese experience confirms one thing: Malagasy Masters tennis now has a representative capable of competing on the world stage.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-24 06:23:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/tennis-masters-45-de-portugal-rija.html