14 March 2013 | Tennis West

The Australian Pro Tour will travel to Queensland this week for the City of Ipswich Tennis International (16-24 March 2013) to be held at Ipswich Grammar Tennis Centre.

After an unprecedented amount of rain over the past couple of months the tournament has been relocated from the clay courts at TFP Academy at George Alder Tennis Centre to the new hard courtvenue. Qualifying will begin on Saturday before the main draw commences on Tuesday.

“This annual tournament is a hallmark event on the Ipswich sporting calendar and we’re excited to be back again,” said tournament director David Hearne.

“As part of the city’s ‘Festival of Tennis’ the tournament offers up-and-coming players from Australia and around the world the opportunity to compete for a prize pool of $40,000 and their first world ranking points.”

In the men’s $15,000 field, world No.224 James Duckworth (Gosford, NSW) will lead the Aussie charge.

The 21-year-old, who reached the second round at Australian Open 2013, will face stiff competition from a group of fellow countrymen including Dane Propoggia (East Lakes, NSW), Michael Look (Scarborough, Qld) and 2011 champion James Lemke (Camberwell, Vic).

Headlining the $25,000 women’s field will be Victoria’s Olivia Rogowska (St Kilda, Vic) with Monique Adamczak (Sydney, NSW) and Bojana Bobusic (South Perth, WA) also flying the flag.

A strong Japanese contingent including sisters Erika and Yurika Sema, Junri Namigata and Shuko Aoyama will compete in the women’s draw as will a range of competitors from Thailand and Korea.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale is looking forward to welcoming the tournament back for another year.

“Ipswich is a strong sporting community and to have 160 high quality tennis players in town is a tremendous opportunity for the city,” Pisasale said.

On Saturday 23 March the tournament will host a Festival of Tennis Fun Day from 9 am – 12 pm.

In between watching top quality tennis kids will be able to try MLC Tennis Hot Shots, watch a Cardio Tennis demonstration or have a go at Speed Serve. Other activities on offer include a jumping castle and face painting.

Ipswich’s Festival of Tennis will continue into April with the best Australian juniors travelling to the city to compete in the 12s and 14s Australian Claycourt Championships.