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NEWPORT, R.I. — The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have presented the 2012 Golden Achievement Award to Shamil Tarpischev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation. Tarpischev has served as president of the Russian Tennis Federation since 1991, and has been involved in growth of the game at many levels, including serving as coach and captain of the national team. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee. ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti presented the award on Sunday, November 7 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow, during the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Final between Russia and the Czech Republic. Also participating in the presentation was Roman Murashkovsky, Russian Tennis Federation vice president and an ITF board member, and Valentina Matvienko, head of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

The Golden Achievement Award is given jointly by the Hall of Fame and ITF. It is presented annually to an individual who has made important contributions internationally to tennis in the fields of administration, promotion or education, and who has devoted long and outstanding service to the sport.

Roman Murashkovsky, Russian Tennis Federation vice president and an ITF board member; Shamil Tarpischev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation; Valentina Matvienko, head of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation; and Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of ITF.

“As a result of Shamil’s leadership, the sport of tennis has grown immensely in Russia, and some of the world’s greatest champions have come from this nation,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “From engaging young people in tennis to developing elite champions, to playing an active role in international competitions including the Fed Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympic Games, to his contributions as a member of the IOC, Shamil’s dedication to the game and ability to enable positive developments in tennis has been immensely beneficial to the sport worldwide. He truly embodies the spirit of the Golden Achievement Award, and we are pleased to recognize his great contributions to the game with this honor.”

Tarpischev began playing tennis as a boy, won several tournament titles in his late teenage years, and embarked on a long, influential career in the sport in his early 20s. He became chief coach and captain of the Russian national tennis team at 26 years old, a position he held from 1974 – 1991, and during which time the team won 26 gold medals at European championships. He captained the Russian Davis Cup team from 1974 – 1992, returning to the position in 1997 through present day. In 2002, he led the team to their first Davis Cup championship. From 1978 – 1980, and again since 2000 through present day, he has been captain of the Russian Fed Cup team.

In 1999, he was named president of the Russian Tennis Federation, having previously served as president of the CIS Tennis Federation and the Soviet Tennis Federation since 1991. Under his leadership, numerous national programs have been enacted to develop sports and fitness programs in Russia. In addition, he has served the game administratively in many other roles. From 1994 -1996, he was the Minister of Russian Sport, and from 1997 – 2000, he was the Moscow Mayor’s Sports Counsellor. He has been an active member of the International Olympic Committee since 1996. In addition, he is chairman of the Kremlin Cup, a joint ATP World Tour and WTA tournament.

Tarpischev helped establish numerous tennis academies in Russia, with locations in Moscow and many other regions of the country. In addition, he is the founder and sponsor of a junior tennis event in Mordovia.

His work in tennis has been invaluable in growing the game in Russia and has left an immensely positive impact on the sport worldwide. He has been recognized for his achievements and contributions many times, including being presented the Order of Honor from the Russian government in 1994 for promotion of sport in the country. In addition, he was presented the ITF Award for services to the game in 1987; a medal for merits in development of the Olympic movement in 1998; the International Award for the European Tennis Association in 2008; and an insignia for services to Moscow in 2008.

Past recipients of the Golden Achievement Award are Tim Phillips of the United Kingdom (2011); Heinz Grimm of Switzerland (2010); Peachy Kellmeyer of the United States (2009); Juan Maria Tintore of Spain (2008); Nancy P. Jeffett of the United States (2007); James R. Cochrane of Great Britain (2006); Eiichi Kawatei of Japan (2005); John Curry of Great Britain (2004); J. Howard “Bumpy” Frazer of the United States (2003); Enrique Morea of Argentina (2002); Pablo Llorens Renaga of Spain (2001); Gil de Kermadec of France (2000) and Brian Tobin of Australia (1999).

Nominations for the Golden Achievement Award are submitted by tennis federations and individuals from the around the world, and then voted on by the Golden Achievement Award Committee. For more information, please email Jennifer Bulcao at [email protected] or learn more online at tennisfame.com.