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The\u00a0ACT Claycourt International #1 and #2<\/strong>\u00a0is set to get underway 13-26 March at the\u00a0Canberra Tennis Centre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The back-to-back professional tournaments will see a total of USD $170,000 up for grabs and valuable world ranking points.\u00a0\u00a0 The women will compete for a prize purse of USD $60,000 each week in the ITF Women\u2019s World Tennis Tour, while the men will compete for USD $25,000 each week in the ITF Men\u2019s World Tennis Tour.<\/p>\n The women\u2019s field is headlined by Aussie rising star Olivia Gadecki <\/strong>(QLD). Ranked No.144 Gadecki has had an impressive summer of tennis, after being awarded a wildcard into the main draw of the Australian Open for her grand slam debut. \u00a0Gadecki reached the second round in the Women\u2019s Singles and reached the Semi Finals in the Mixed Doubles with doubles partner Marc Polmans (VIC).<\/strong> \u00a0Gadecki also represented Australia in the United Cup 2023.<\/p>\n Jaimee Fourlis (VIC) <\/strong>arrives in Canberra as the second seed, off the back of a strong start to her 2023 campaign. Fourlis was the Champion of the Burnie $25,000 ITF, defeating fellow Aussie Olivia Gadecki. Fourlis had a stellar 2022, playing in all four grand slams and reaching a career high of No.147.<\/p>\n The top three seeds are rounded out by Pricilla Hon (QLD)<\/strong>. Hon represented Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and partnered with Olivia Gadecki in the Women\u2019s Doubles at the Australian Open. Destanee Aiava (VIC)<\/strong> and Arina Rodionova (VIC)<\/strong> are among other Australians that will be taking on a strong international contingent with multiple Japanese representatives.<\/p>\n In the Men\u2019s Draw, crowd favourite Dane Sweeny (QLD)<\/strong> returns to the capital as the top seed. Ranked No.238 Sweeny competed in the P2<\/sup> Advisory Canberra International making it to the second round. Sweeny is no stranger to Canberra, having competed in many international tournaments, and in 2021 claimed back-to-back titles in UTR events at the Canberra Tennis Centre.<\/p>\n Fellow Aussies Marc Polmans (VIC)<\/strong> and Tristian Schoolkate (WA)<\/strong> round out the top three in the Men\u2019s Draw. Both have had a strong start to the 2023 season, with Polmans reaching the Semi-Finals of the Burnie Challenger, and Schoolkate being crowned Champion of the Swan Hill $25,000 ITF in February.<\/p>\n Tennis ACT CEO Kim Kachel<\/strong>\u00a0is looking forward to showcasing world-class tennis in the capital once more.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are really looking forward to two weeks of world-class tennis right here in Canberra on our European clay courts\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a very competitive women\u2019s draw, with the top three seeds all ranked inside the top 200.\u00a0Many players are returning from the Australian Open, having had great success in singles and doubles\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cGadecki, Fourlis and Hon – it is fantastic to have players of their calibre in Canberra.\u00a0 Likewise, the men\u2019s has an impressive draw, showcasing the great depth of Aussie players including Sweeny, Polmans and Schoolkate. These are vital events on clay in their preparations for Europe and the French Open.\u00a0 \u00a0We are in for two great weeks of tennis\u201d.<\/p>\n The ACT Claycourt International #1 and #2 will provide opportunities to inspire and showcase women\u2019s sport in the capital through a range of off court activities over the two weeks.<\/p>\n Tennis ACT will host the\u00a0Canberra Girls Get Active Day<\/strong>, Sunday 19 March 10am-12pm. This is a free community event to inspire, energise and motivate women and girls of all ages.<\/p>\n A number of ACT based sports will be onsite including\u00a0AFL, Basketball<\/strong>,\u00a0Brumbies Rugby<\/strong>,\u00a0Raiders<\/strong>,\u00a0Hockey,<\/strong>\u00a0Netball,<\/strong>\u00a0Tennis, Softball <\/strong>and\u00a0Volleyball.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Next Gen Canberra<\/strong>\u00a0will be offering fitness classes,\u00a0and\u00a0Mels Massage<\/strong>\u00a0will be offering free seated massages.<\/p>\n On Friday 24 March Tennis ACT will host the\u00a0ACT Women in Sport & Leadership Brunch<\/strong>\u00a0which will feature key note speaker\u00a0<\/strong>and<\/strong> champion Australian netballer<\/strong> Caitlin Bassett. <\/strong><\/p>\n Kachel ended \u201cThe next two weeks is a celebration of women\u2019s sport and we encourage women and girls in the Canberra community to get involved in the activities and hope that it inspires them to become more active\u201d.<\/p>\n The ACT Claycourt International is made possible by support from local partners, businesses, Events ACT<\/strong>, ACT Government<\/strong> and Tennis Australia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n