A breeding ground of champions

VIVIENNE CHRISTIE WATCHING Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Simona Halep and other big-name players competing at the top of the game, it’s hard to imagine their playing life before they started collecting Grand Slam titles.

But long before that journey to major glory began, those quality players were serving important apprenticeships at smaller tournaments throughout the world.

Many Australian players, along with some international ones, will step onto that same pivotal path as the Australian Pro Tour circuit hits Cairns.

Something of a breeding ground of champions for the world’s top players, these predominantly regionally-staged events have produced some impressive champions in recent years, with Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios, Ash Barty, Casey Dellacqua, Jordan Thompson and Alicia Molik on the honour rolls of various events.

International names who’ve also made important progress at Australia’s Pro Tour events include Jan-Lennard Struff (ATP ranking 48; Germany), Dudi Sela (ATP ranking 70; Israel) and Steve Darcis (ATP Ranking 73; Belgium).

Offering a total prize money pool of $1.2 million, Pro Tour events not only provide players with all-important earning opportunities, but also the precious ATP or WTA Tour rankings points that can facilitate entry into bigger tournaments throughout the world.

Pro Tour events are staged in most states and territories, with some of Australia’s “next big things” vying for prize money, rankings points and match play leading into the Australian summer (Pro Tour events culminate with the Australian Open wildcard playoff in December).

They present the perfect opportunity for players like Jaimee Fourlis, Kimberly Birrell, Destanee Aiava, Marc Polmans and Blake Mott, to gain playing experience, earn valuable world ranking points and compete against tough international players.

It is an opportunity for players to gain their first ATP or WTA rankings points and those who prove impressive on the Australian Pro Tour have possibilities to follow their success as a player then knows they can be sent anywhere in the world and can get into qualifying and get themselves going.

It’s not only younger players who can benefit from competing in Pro Tour events.

In 2009, Alicia Molik began her comeback to the professional tour at many of these regional tournaments, which not only created the chance to regain rankings points and prize money, but also to rediscover her love for the game.

While competing in the regional centres, many players also become important role models and provide the impetus for other younger tennis players to begin their own paths in the game.

Pro Tour events also provide an obvious boost to the clubs and communities that host them.

With Pro Tour events staged in cities stretching from Cairns in the north to Burnie in the south – and many places in between – there’s a chance for many fans to see top-level tennis virtually in their own back yard.

It’s worth taking that trip to your local club –you never know, you might even be watching a Grand Slam champion in the making.