The final part of the 10.5 million redevelopment of the Canberra Tennis Centre is nearing completion with the upgrading of the clay courts to Tier 1 European Clay. As a joint collaboration between the ACT Government, Tennis ACT, and Tennis Australia, the Canberra Tennis Centre will be one of only a few facilities in Australia to offer the European clay courts. 6 clay courts have already been completed with the remaining 6 being upgraded in May. The new clay courts will get a work out over the coming weeks with several tournaments attracting some of the best players in Australia.
In speaking about the clay court redevelopment, Tennis ACT Chief Executive Officer, Ross Triffitt said “We are pleased to be one of only a few facilities in Australia that offer players the opportunity to play on Tier 1 European clay courts. The high calibre of entrants in the upcoming tournaments demonstrates how excited Australian players are to compete on this surface. It is great for ACT players to have this facility on their doorstep and it will offer huge economic benefits to the wider Canberra community over the coming years”.
Canberra’s number 1 female player Alison Bai, and world number 382 Matthew Barton will headline the Women’s and Men’s fields at the ACT Open Platinum Australian Money Tournament (AMT) from April 7-11th . With $10,000 in prizemoney on offer, the clay court event will feature 16 top 100 Australian Women, while the Men’s will feature 8 top 100 players.
Bai is currently ranked WTA 395 and is at a career high ranking coming off a victory at the Mildura Grand International Pro Tour event. The victory was Bai’s first pro tour title, defeating Kimberley Birrell in the final. Bai will be the number 1 seed in the Women’s draw. Joining Bai in the draw will be a number of Canberra Velocity players with Tyra Calderwood, Maria Vais, and Imogen Clews participating along with a number of players who have been competing in the Australian pro tour events.
Sydney player, Matthew Barton will lead the Men’s draw. Barton has been in outstanding form of late, taking back to back Pro Tour titles at Port Pirie and Mildura. After missing most of 2014 with a knee injury, Barton has returned to the form that took him to a career high ranking of ATP 201 back in April 2013. Daniel Guccione (ATP 1289) and Nathan Doney (ATP 1965) will also line up for the tournament. Canberra Velocity players James Frawley, Jake Okines, and Ryan Frawley will lead the ACT contingent of players.
Entry to the event is free with qualifying to commence on Tuesday the 7th of April, and main draw to take place from the 8-11th of April.
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