Your Royal Highness,
It is the Danish Tennis Federation's board and I a very great pleasure and honor today to be able to assign exactly You the federation's finest honor, namely the Danish Tennis Federation's Gold Pin.
All kind of sport has an essential place in Your daily life and free time. You both running, skiing, cycling, swimming, sailing and playing tennis.
Tennis has followed You from the junior time and until today, both on the pitch as an active player, and off the pitch as an active spectator, both nationally and internationally.
In January 2006, You honored the Danish Tennis Federation by taking on this mission as our patron of the federation. To have You as a patron is not only an honor, it is also something we are all very proud of. We are especially proud that You always very friendly supports the federation and all those activities where we ask for Your support.
In 2007 You were awarded the Danish Tennis Association's Honorary pin and in 2009 -after recommendation of Kurt Nielsen -was You appointed Danish Tennis Federation's second honorary member.
In 2009 in Copenhagen at the 121st IOC Session You was elected to the IOC board. That tennis and not least the entire Denmark-Sport has got a very active sportsman totally in the front is a great pleasure for both sports federations, athletes and us volunteer leaders.
You have spread joy by several tennis events where you have helped to honor tennis players as well as You have actively trained juniors on the red gravel.
Your kind support extends widely at different tennis events:
In 2011 You were present in Paris when Caroline Wozniacki was honored as the world's best female tennis player.
In 2012, You opened the International Tennis Federation's annual meeting in Copenhagen, and at the same time You honored the Wimbledon Champion in the men's doubles, Frederik Nielsen. That same year, You trained juniors outdoors on the red gravel in the important Play and Stay concept.
In 2013, You honored eight tennis players with the great ITF "Davis Cup Commitment Award" and appointed at the same time Frederik Nielsen to the federation's fourth official ambassador.
In 2014, You honored the same Frederik Nielsen with ITF's "Davis Cup Commitment Award".
As I earlier this year was guest at Roland Garros in connection with the French Open, I said hello to the IOC-President, German Thomas Bach. Via ITF-President Francesco Ricci Bitti the conversation went quickly to that You are a very committed and active patron of the Danish Tennis Federation. This did not come as a surprise to Thomas Bach, who commented:
"He is also a real sportsman."
I endorse fully the statement. You are a real sportsman who loves the sporting challenges across all sports.
Your Royal Highness, very heartfelt congratulations on the award of the Danish Tennis Federation's Gold Pin. You have distinguished them in particularly high and valuable level of tennis, congratulations.
