After dominating the world stage for over a decade, the U.S. national team was put on notice when it lost the World Cup to Canada two years ago. Granted, it had been the first loss in ten attempts, and had come at the hands of perennial North American rivals, but the fact remains that more (and more frequent) difficulty in advancing past earlier round matches – against stronger countries each year – has come to play a major role in final results, seeding, and standings in IRF events. This year was no exception, as the U.S. brought home individual titles in the first half of the 2002 World Championships, but faltered a bit in the second, when it came down to head-to-head, country-by-country playoffs for men’s, women’s and overall “World Cup” team titles. 

At opening ceremonies, some 33 national teams turned out in parade uniform, ranging from sole athlete representatives, to full squads of singles and doubles players from all corners of the globe. Four days of individual play, in the Olympic “compass” format, comprised the first half of competition, followed by a day off and three more days of full team playoffs. Beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico was the backdrop for an international event that may not return to an American continent until 2006. It is scheduled for Seoul, Korea in 2004.