TOP TIER STARS READY TO PLAY
Quality field signs up for Toowoomba International
TENNIS: Two of the best fields in recent memory will compete for 2019 Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International honours.
Toowoomba fans will be treated to wall-to-wall action this weekend as qualifying gets under way at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre – USQ.
More than 50 players in both the men’s and women’s competitions will attempt to qualify for a spot in next week’s main draw.
“As a pro-tour event we attract some very good players to the tournament,” Toowoomba Regional Council sports tourism officer Andrew Allpass said.
“They’re here chasing world ranking points and the better they perform the more it helps them heading into the summer.”
Numerous past champions and finalists will return to Toowoomba including 2016 women’s winner Dalma Galfi of Hungary and Australian Luke Saville.
“We consider it a privilege to have someone like Luke (Saville) at the tournament,” Allpass said.
“He was recently in the United States for a number of tournaments and has chosen Toowoomba as his first tournament after that stint.”
Recent Easter Gold Cup winner Ben Mitchell, 2016 women’s runner-up Katie Dunne and 2013 women’s runner-up Zuzana Zlochova will also be in action.
Allpass attributed the ongoing support and appearances of top tier players to the level of support they got court-side.
“The feedback we receive is always very positive,” he said.
“They (the players) love the professionalism of the tournament, the region and the level of support they get from the fans.
“One of the things we often hear from players is they feel at home here in Toowoomba.”
GET COURTSIDE: The 2019 Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International is free for spectators. Men’s qualifying begins at 9am on Saturday at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre – USQ on Baker St. Men’s qualifying continues on Sunday alongside women’s qualifying. Play should run until 4pm.