SERVING A TREAT
TENNIS STARS LOB FOR INTERNATIONAL
THE final event of the Australian Pro Tour swing, the 2017 Cairns Tennis International, gets underway today at the Cairns International Tennis Centre, with a view to becoming a pinnacle event on Far North Queensland’s sporting calendar.
Returning for its eighth straight year, the event will be serving up a feast of on and offcourt action in a week-long celebration of elite sport and entertainment.
The tournament’s acceptance list was finalised earlier this week, with a strong international field set to be on display.
In total, 17 countries are being represented at the tournament, including players from Great Britain, Germany, Japan, China, Switzerland, Ukraine and the USA.
Top seed in the men’s draw is world number 239 Blake Mott from Victoria, who was runner up in last year’s event.
While leading the women’s field is world number 146 Asia Muhammad from the USA, with second seed and 2016 champion Olivia Rogowska, from Victoria, returning to defend her title.
“It’s an incredibly strong field this year, with many players rating Cairns as their favourite tournament of the year,” says tournament director Travis Dragojlo.
“As with last year’s event, there will be an Australian Open 2018 women’s singles qualifying wildcard decided in Cairns, with a qualifying wildcard awarded to the best-performing Australian female in the Australian Pro Tour events in Penrith, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Cairns.”
An exciting off-court program will complement this year’s world-class competition, encouraging the community to come and meet the next generation of Grand Slam champions in their own backyard.
As well as community initiatives, improvements to the venue will also ensure a premium experience for both players and spectators, including courtside marquees and tiered seating to be installed, new nets and line marking on match courts, improved wi-fi services for players, a dedicated delivery team and increased signage across the venue to promote local sponsors.
Event manager Jennifer Rees is excited to have world-class tennis in Cairns for another year.
“We are in for week of outstanding tennis in Cairns with opportunities for the local community to engage with professional athletes, be inspired by exciting tennis matches and enjoy watching world-class tennis in our own backyard,” she says.
“Entry is free, with the public able to come and watch morning and twilight matches.
“There’s also plenty of opportunities for the community to get involved in our events, including the Ladies High Tea, Cardio Step Challenge, Corporate Challenge and of course Cairns on a Fork.”
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the tournament would once again showcase Cairns as a sporting event hub.
“We love our sport in Cairns and relish every opportunity to host an international-standard event such as this,” Cr Manning says.
“The Cairns Tennis International showcases our fantastic tennis facilities and provides our community with an opportunity to witness rising international stars in action.
“I look forward to welcoming the players to Cairns and hope this tournament is an enjoyable one for all involved.”
The Cairns Tennis International is supported by Cairns Regional Council, Wholehealth, Win TV, Star FM and the Cairns Post and is part of the Australian Pro Tour, a series of professional tennis events that bridge junior events and the ATP/WTA Tour, providing an opportunity for players to earn their first world ranking points.
The 2017-18 Australian Pro Tour runs between September 2017 and April 2018 and offers a prize money pool of more than $US1,100,000 ($A1,405,090).