The preliminary player acceptance list for the City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2016 has been released, headlined by world No.1 junior Taylor Fritz (USA) and Queenslander John-Patrick Smith, who is set to lead the Aussie contingent in a heavily international field that includes 16 players from inside the world’s top 200.
Defending US Open boys’ singles champion Fritz has enjoyed outstanding results on the international junior stage in 2015. The 18-year-old reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Junior Championships, the final of the French Open Junior Championships, the semifinals of the Wimbledon Junior Championships and came away with the title at his home Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. Fritz is a player on the rise and will be one to watch when play gets under way at Happy Valley Tennis Club on January 2.
Joining Fritz in the field will be local favourite John-Patrick Smith, who comes into the main draw as the highest ranked Australian player with a current world ranking of No.129. Smith, who hails from Townsville, won an ATP Challenger event at Drummondville in 2015 and enjoyed main draw singles appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Smith and Fritz will be joined by the highest ranked player in the field, Dudi Sela (ISR). The current world No.100 has previously been ranked as high as No.29 and holds an impressive total of 19 career Challenger singles titles, including three in 2015. Sela will be looking to continue his consistent form from 2015 and add to his list of titles at the City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger.
For most players, the City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger will form the final step in their preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne, starting on Monday 18 January.
“We are obviously thrilled to announce a strong field of players planning to come to the City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2016,” said Tennis SA Chief Executive Officer, Steven Baldas.
“It is very exciting that in its second year this event has been able to draw such a highly ranked field of players set to offer the local community the opportunity to watch world class tennis right in their backyard.”
“The countdown to the event is on, with Happy Valley Tennis Club and tournament staff in final preparations for the tournament starting on January 2,” Baldas added.
City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2016
Player acceptance list as at 16 December 2015
| Name | Country | ATP ranking |
| DJERE, Laslo | SRB | 173 |
| DONATI, Matteo | ITA | 183 |
| EVANS, Daniel | GBR | 186 |
| FRATANGELO, Bjorn | USA | 128 |
| FRITZ, Taylor | USA | 177 |
| FUCSOVICS, Marton | HUN | 212 |
| GOJOWCZYK, Peter | GER | 194 |
| GOLUBEV, Andrey | KAZ | 205 |
| GONZALEZ, Alejandro | COL | 141 |
| IGNATIK, Uladzimir | BLR | 213 |
| KLEIN, Brydan | GBR | 187 |
| LANGER, Nils | GER | 216 |
| MORIYA, Hiroki | JPN | 199 |
| NEDOVYESOV, Aleksandr | KAZ | 162 |
| NGUYEN, Daniel | USA | 214 |
| NOVAK, Dennis | AUT | 210 |
| OLIVO, Renzo | ARG | 176 |
| SARKISSIAN, Alexander | USA | 198 |
| SELA, Dudi | ISR | 100 |
| SETKIC, Aldin | BIH | 218 |
| SIJSLING, Igor | NED | 146 |
| SMITH, John-Patrick | AUS | 129 |
| TIAFOE, Frances | USA | 179 |
| ZEMLJA, Grega | SLO | 175 |
Please note list is subject to change
Background
The City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2016 will take place at Happy Valley Tennis Club, Aberfoyle Park, South Australia from 2–10 January 2016.
Entry to the event from 2-8 January is free of charge. Tickets for Saturday 9 January and Sunday 10 January will start from $3.00 and can be purchased at the gate.
For more information on the Australian Pro Tour or Tennis Australia visit tennis.com.au. For more information on the ATP Challenger Tour visit atpchallengertour.com.
For more information about the WTC Kids Tennis Day, please visit worldtennischallenge.com.
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