Kalgoorlie, 26 October 2010 | Tennis Australia

Twenty of the country’s rising tennis players will line up against a host of international competitors at the Goldfields – St Ives International, to be held at the Goldfields Tennis Centre in Kalgoorlie from 1 November.

Kalgoorlie residents will have the opportunity to watch both players from both Australia and abroad as they ready themselves for the Australian summer of tennis ahead and compete for AUD$25,000 in prize money.

Australia will be represented at the event by fourteen men and six women including reigning Australian Open Wildcard Playoff champion Nick Lindahl (NSW), and world No. 190 and Australian Open Wildcard Playoff finalist Olivia Rogowskafrom Victoria.

Joining the Australians are international tennis stars from Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada and India.

Tournament Director Mark Handley praised the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields Tennis Club for supporting the event, and encouraged the community to support the future of Australian tennis at the event.

“The Goldfields – St Ives International and Australian Pro Tour is an opportunity for residents to watch world-class players for free, while also showcasing Kalgoorlie and Western Australia to a global tennis audience,” Handley said.

“To have emerging Australian talent such as Nick Lindahl and Olivia Rogowksa pit themselves against established international players is fantastic for the tournament.

“We hope everyone in Kalgoorlie can head down and get behind the next crop of Australian tennis stars.”

Lindahl will be joined by Ben Mitchell (Qld), runner-up at the Junior Wimbledon Championship earlier this year. Other Australians featuring in the men’s draw include local talent Brydan Klein (WA), along withColin Ebelthite (SA) and Matt Reid (NSW).

In the women’s event, Rogowska will be joined by Sacha Jones, currently ranked No.1 in New Zealand.  Jones has previously won five ITF events in 2009, including tournaments in Darwin, Mount Gambier and Port Pirie in Australia.

Also among the women’s field are two former 18 and under Australian Champions Monika Wejnert (Qld) and Marija Mirkovic (Vic), and world No. 181 Arina Rodionova, the sister of adopted Australian Anastasia Rodionova.

Joining Rogowska, Wejnert and Mirkovic are fellow Australians Jessica Moore (WA), Tammi Patterson(Vic) and Alison Bai (ACT).

The Goldfields – St Ives International is part of the 2010–2011 Australian Pro Tour, which is a series of international events that act as a springboard to the global tennis stage by providing vital ranking points and experience for the tennis stars of tomorrow.