11th Annual Finance Cup Brings Together Top Tennis Talent and Finance Industry Titans To Beautiful Marbella

June 22, 2026 | By Brian Coleman

The Open Division Finalists. From Right to Left: Champions Brian Compton & Kevin Kim; Runners-Up Louis Samson & Milos Raonic

The Finance Cup is an annual tennis competition that brings together former professional and top collegiate players who currently work full time in Finance in a Team USA vs. Team Europe format.

Each year, the event alternates between being hosted in Europe and the United States. Last year, the competition was held on the iconic grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. This time around, the event moved to Europe to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Marbella, Spain.

The Finance Cup was founded and is organized by Eastern Tennis Hall of Famer Jeffrey Appel, and David Anving on the European side. Appel has mentored over 130 former pros and top collegiate players in successfully transitioning from the tennis court to careers on Wall Street.

“This year we had a beautiful venue and perfect weather,” Appel said. “There were a few new additions to the crew which helped amplify the play on the court, which allowed us to put on another successful event.”

Appel has made it his mission to use tennis as a way to help his own mentees, many of whom are now mentors of their own and in a position to hire talented men and women who are former professional or top college tennis players.

“I’m proud to play a part in growing the global finance tennis community to help mentor individuals, and even prouder to see them maturing into roles where they can now be in a position to do the same,” Appel added.

The participants are not only elite tennis players, but also some of the most accomplished professionals in the global finance industry.

The event sits at the unique intersection of world-class tennis and top-tier finance. Each year, it brings together approximately 60 distinguished men who compete for the Cup, build deep camaraderie, and celebrate a shared passion for the sport in a truly exceptional fraternity. After the fierce competition on the court, participants and their guests celebrated in style.

“Tennis and the competitive spirit around the Finance Cup is a great way to connect with similar minded leaders in finance, however, we are all also looking forward to the many interactions off the court with some highly interesting lunches, dinners and social activities,” said Jan Olsson, the CEO Nordic Region, Deutsche Bank. “A great spirit of camaraderie prevails which all of us look forward to throughout the year. The debate about the venue is always exciting and we alternate between Europe and the US each year. The host decides and selects the venue which has an element of surprise and excitement. Marbella in Spain delivered in a major way this year as other venues have in the past. The Don Carlos resort with the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is an unbelievably beautiful setting and the fact that we had the entire club at the disposal of the Finance Cup only made the atmosphere exceptional. On and off the court it was only us and it created a community spirit second to none.”

Dr. Michaela Novacek, wife of Masters 55+ Champion and former world number eight Karel Novacek, praised the event not only for the tennis competition, but the impact off the court:

“Dear Jeffrey, thank you for the incredible organization and for creating this wonderful tennis event,” she wrote to Appel. “The Finance Cup has become much more than a tournament—it is a unique gathering of friends, tennis enthusiasts and inspiring people from around the world. Your vision, dedication and attention to every detail made this week in Marbella truly special. Thank you for bringing together such an exceptional group of people and creating memories that will last a lifetime. We are already looking forward to the next one.”

**Michaela & Karel Novacek together in Marbella at the 2026 Finance Cup**

Notable Business Luminaries Who Played This Year:

Bill Ackman – Founder & CIO, Pershing Square Capital Management
Rob Pohly – Founder & CIO, Samlyn Capital
Christer Gardell – Founder & CIO, Cevian Capital
Per Franzen – Managing Partner & CEO, EQT
Louis Samson – Co-President, Platinum Equity
Ian McKinnon – Former Managing Partner and CIO of Ziff Brothers Investments; Founding Partner of Team8/Laver Cup
AJ Rohde – Senior Partner, Thoma Bravo; Head of Middle Market Business & Funds
John Doran – General Partner, CEO of TCV
Loïc Féry – Founder & CIO, Chenavari
Mark Woolley – Former CIO, BlackRock Alternative Advisors