Melbourne Park, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia, 25 September 2015 | Tennis Australia

The inaugural Tweed Coast Tennis International gets underway this Saturday, September 26, at the newly redeveloped Tweed Heads Regional Tennis Facility at Arkinstall Park.

The women’s professional event, with a USD$15,000 prize purse and the opportunity to earn valuable WTA world ranking points, is the first in the eight-week long Australian Pro Tour for professional and aspiring professional players.

With admission free for the family, spectators will have the opportunity to witness some of the finest local and international talent strut their stuff.

“Destination Tweed welcomes all participants, officials and spectators to the very first Tweed Coast Tennis International,” said Bill Tatchell, CEO of Destination Tweed, the event’s major sponsor.

“Tennis has long been popular in this region and this event will not only give people an opportunity to watch some world class tennis at a state-of-art facility, but showcase everything the Tweed Coast has to offer.

“Whether you’re staying in the bustling heart of Tweed Heads, at a luxury beach resort in Salt Village or a rainforest hideaway in the Valley, we encourage you to discover the Tweed by exploring more of our community.”

Experienced West Australian Jessica Moore is the highest ranked player in the draw at world No.271, with Alison Bai, Storm Sanders, Sally Peers and exciting teenagers Priscilla Hon and Kimberly Birrell making up the local field. Americans Asia Muhammad and Jennifer Elie are also present, alongside representatives from Austria, Belarus, Great Britain, Hungary, Japan, Paraguay, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Moore said this new event on the Pro Tour calendar offered a great opportunity for players to experience the beauty of the Tweed Coast – not just play tennis there.

“Coming from the West, I’ve never actually been before, but of course I’ve heard great things,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to visiting.

“I’m arriving a few days early, so I’m hoping to get to the beach, maybe even for some recovery sessions during the tournament.”

“It’s great to start the Pro Tour somewhere fresh,” she added.

The Tweed Coast Tennis International runs from September 26 until October 4 at the Tweed Heads Regional Tennis Facility at Arkinstall Park, Tweed Heads.

Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available at www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores and for a live stream of selected events visit www.tennis.com.au/protour.