The City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger will return in 2017 offering $US 75,000 in prizemoney and significant world ranking points.
Over the past two years, the City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger has cemented its place on the Australian Pro Tour calendar.
Tennis SA and Tennis Australia, in conjunction with the City of Onkaparinga and Happy Valley Tennis Club, will host the City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger from Saturday 31 December 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017.
One of the longest standing Australian Pro Tour events in South Australia, the tournament was upgraded to ATP Challenger status in 2015, giving players the opportunity to compete not only for considerable prize money but valuable world ranking points.
The event has in the past attracted the likes of former world No.8 Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), fan-favourite Ryan Harrison (USA), 20-time Challenger Tour champion Dudi Sela (ISR) and former world No.1 junior Taylor Fritz (USA).
“These ATP level events provide a very important springboard for players to move up the rankings and this event, being the week before Australian Open qualifying, will be a vital warm-up for players heading to Melbourne,” Tennis Australia Pro Tour Manager Fiona Luscombe said.
“Following the success of the tournament over the past 11 years, we look forward to the local community getting behind the event again and thank the City of Onkaparinga for its continued support.”
Happy Valley Tennis Club will once again host the prestigious ATP Men’s event in 2017.
“The City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger has been a huge success for Happy Valley Tennis Club over the past two years,” Happy Valley Tennis Club President Simon Longhurst said.
“We are looking forward to another fantastic event and we thank the City of Onkaparinga for its generous support,” Longhurst added.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said the tournament was a highlight of the city’s summer events calendar.
“The City of Onkaparinga is delighted to be supporting and hosting the Challenger event once again in 2017,” she said.
“The tournament provides a fantastic opportunity for locals to watch the world’s up-and-coming players and for these tennis players to personally experience our wonderful region and all it has to offer.”
The City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger will form a major part of South Australia’s World Tennis Challenge (WTC) Be Active Challenge, set to take place throughout January.
“Tennis SA is thrilled to once again be including the City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger in the WTC Be Active Challenge for 2017. The WTC Be Active Challenge forms South Australia’s largest tennis participation drive, with in excess of 15 events to be held across the state,” Tennis SA CEO Steven Baldas said.
“We are incredibly proud of the event and congratulate the team at Happy Valley Tennis Club for its tireless efforts.”
“We are excited to see the tournament grow again in 2017 and look forward to some fantastic tennis action.”
The player field for the City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger will be announced later this year.
For more information on the Australian Pro Tour or Tennis Australia visit tennis.com.au. For more information on the Challenger Tour visit atpchallengertour.com.
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