The Australian Pro Tour will round out its South Australian leg this weekend at the Nyrstar Port Pirie Tennis International, to be held at the Port Pirie and District Tennis Association from 15-23 September 2012.
The tournament will take place for a record 23rd time, making it the longest standing Pro Tour event on the Australian calendar.
Over the years the event has seen a number of tennis superstars visit the city including former world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo, former world No.8 Alicia Molik and current world No.80 Casey Dellacqua.
The hugely popular event will give local tennis fans the opportunity to watch top up-and-coming players from around the country and abroad as they compete for USD $40,000 in prize money and ready themselves for the Australian summer.
Qualifying will begin this Saturday with the main draw to commence on Tuesday.
This year in the women’s field, 2011 champion Olivia Rogowska (St Kilda, Vic) will return to the city to defend her title.
The 21-year-old has had a breakthrough season, reaching a career high ranking of 111 in March and last week won her second Pro Tour title for the year in Rockhampton.
Last year’s women’s finalist Bojana Bobusic (Perth, WA) has also confirmed her attendance as has fellow Australians Sacha Jones (AUS) and Sally Peers (Glen Waverley, Vic).
Leading the international charge will be 1999 Wimbledon semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson (USA). The former WTA top 20 player has joined the Australian circuit in a bid to build her ranking in the lead up to Australian Open 2013 and will be joined by athletes from Japan, South Africa, Slovakia and Brazil in the women’s draw.
South Australian’s Brooke Rischbieth (Barmera, SA), Amy Sneath (Pooraka, SA), Chloe Hule (Morphett Vale, SA), Nicole Collie (Adelaide, SA) and Nicole Kraemer (Hallett Cove, SA) will contest the qualifying draw.
On the men’s side, world No.256 Sam Groth (Templestowe, Vic) will be looking to win his second Futures title this year after falling short recently at the Alice Springs Tennis International. The circuit will also welcome back world No.267 Benjamin Mitchell (Worongary, Qld) and world No.285 Matt Reid (Dural, NSW) to the fold having last contested the Australian tour back in February.
Making up the local male contingent will be two-time junior Grand Slam champion Luke Saville (Barmera, SA), and his AIS Pro Tour colleague Alex Bolt (Murray Bridge, SA) while Jack Schipanski (Glengowrie, SA), Li Tu (Adelaide, SA), Bradley Mousley (Wynn Vale, SA), Darren Polkinghorne (Port Lincoln, SA) and Lawrence Bataljin (Tea Tree Gully, SA) will battle it out in qualifying when it begins on Saturday.
Tournament Director Ryan Peremiczko praised the Port Pirie Regional Council and the tennis club for its support of the event and encouraged the community to come down to the courts and cheer on the players.
“This Australian Pro Tour event is an opportunity for the community to watch top quality players for free, while showcasing the Port Pirie area to a wider sporting audience,” said Peremiczko.
“Port Pirie always warmly embraces the Pro Tour to the city each year, making it a hugely popular tournament for players.
“Tennis fans can come down to support local emerging talent including Luke Saville, Brad Mousley and Alex Bolt as they pit themselves against established international players.”
Port Pirie Mayor Brenton Vanstone said the city has a great appreciation for the event and acknowledged its longstanding history.
“The tournament is highly valued in Port Pirie. Not only does it bring international flavour to the city but it builds on relationships the local community has developed with the sport of tennis and its players over the years,” said Vanstone.
“A special event like this is essential in the eyes of the Port Pirie Regional Council as it showcases the city and brings new people to town.”
Following this event the Australian tour will have a one week break before it heads to Western Australia for the Cliffs Esperance Tennis International (29 September – 7 October 2012).
The Nyrstar Port Pirie Tennis International is part of the 2012 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.
For more information on the Australian Pro Tour, Tennis Australia or the players visit www.tennis.com.au. For more information on the ITF Pro Circuit visit www.itftennis.com.
For Australian Pro Tour score updates follow @oztennisresults on Twitter.
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For further media information please contact:
Harriet Rendle, Tennis Australia, 0432 001 249
Ryan Peremiczko, Tournament Director, 0403 303 165
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