Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Curro to host international tournament
CURRO Holdings, the JSE-listed independent education provider, has partnered with Tennis South Africa to host three International Tennis Federation (ITF) combined men's and women's prize money tournaments at Curro Hillcrest in Durban, KwaZuluNatal, in June and July this year.
The Curro Centre Court Series forms part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as the global body's pathway between the junior game and elite senior level. The series will provide an opportunity for rising local tennis stars to face off against international players.
It will be the first time since 2021 that professional men's international tournaments will be held in South
Africa and will add a prestigious leg to the existing international tournaments for women on the calendar.
The events are expected to attract a mix of the best South African juniors and local fledgling professionals, as well as international players from across Africa and abroad.
Local professional players expected to compete include the country's top women's player, Isabella Kruger, and Davis Cup player Philip Henning.
Curro CEO Cobus Loubser said: “Generally, South African players have to travel to other countries to play in tournaments of this calibre because there are very few events of this nature hosted locally. Curro aims to inspire generations of South African champions by creating unparalleled opportunities and driving excellence in sports and that is why we have hosted ITF Junior Tournaments for top-ranking players from all over the world over the last few years.
“However, the Curro Centre Court Series expands our efforts, catering for professional players and offering significant prize purses. We are once again demonstrating our support for tennis in South Africa because we see ourselves as a driving force in the longterm growth of tennis in our country.”
The first event will be a combined M15 and W15 tournament between June 17 and 23, with $30 000
(R560 000) prize money on offer for men and women. This will be followed by a combined M25 and W15 competition between June 23 and 30, with $25 000 (R462 500) on the line for men and $15 000 (R277 500) on offer for women. Finally, a combined M15 and W35 event will be held between July 1 and 7, with a prize purse of $15 000 (R277 500) up for grabs for men and $25 000 (R462 500) on offer for women.
“These tournaments are another big step forward for elite men's and women's tennis in the country, and we are looking forward to thrilling contests throughout the three weeks of competition,” said TSA president Gavin Crookes.
“We are delighted to have international men's tennis events back in South Africa, as well as more quality women's events thus adding to the existing opportunities on offer for local players,” said Crookes.