The City of Playford Tennis International is set to make its grand return this October, bringing the top-tier tennis event back to Playford Tennis Centre. The event will take place from October 20th to 27th, marking its sixth edition. Organised by Tennis Australia, Tennis SA, the City of Playford, and TennisGear, the tournament falls under both the men’s ATP Challenger Tour and the women’s ITF World Tennis Tour Australian Pro Tour. Offering more than AUD $200,000 in prize money, the event also provides participants with the chance to earn vital world ranking points.
The City of Playford Tennis International has seen numerous high-profile athletes compete in previous years. Participants have included 2022 Wimbledon champion and 2023 Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev. Last year’s champions were Australians Astra Sharma from Western Australia and James Duckworth from New South Wales. The event also featured strong performances from South Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and Queensland’s 2022 champion Kimberly Birrell.
Francis Soyer, Tennis Australia’s Head of Competitive Play & Professional Events, reflected on the significance of the event’s return. “We are thrilled to have the Australian Pro Tour return to the Playford Tennis Centre in 2024 for the sixth time,” he said. He acknowledged the City of Playford’s vital support, noting, “A tournament of this calibre would simply not be possible without it.”
Mayor Glenn Docherty of the City of Playford said, “After six years, the City of Playford Tennis International has matured into a world-class tournament.” He also shared that the Playford Tennis Centre is distinctively equipped to host both men’s and women’s events simultaneously, enhancing its reputation as a favoured venue.
Mr. Docherty drew parallels between the successes of Australian athletes in the Olympics and the tennis tournament’s surge in popularity. He encouraged local community engagement, stating, “I’d encourage all of you to bring that same atmosphere to the Playford Tennis Centre, where you can watch a world-class event for free in your own backyard.”
Adding to the comments, Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey said, “This year we are planning more activations and unique ways to engage the community and welcome patrons to the event for some amazing tennis.”
The City of Playford Tennis International is a significant part of the Australian Pro Tour, which features a series of professional tennis events throughout the year. These events serve as a bridge for upcoming players to transition to the ATP/WTA Tour, highlighting the event’s role in fostering new talent in the competitive tennis landscape.
Details regarding the players participating in this year’s tournament will be released in October. For further information about the Australian Pro Tour and the upcoming City of Playford Tennis International, interested individuals can visit the official websites of Tennis Australia, the ATP Challenger Tour, and the ITF World Tennis Tour.
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