City of Onkaparinga locals will have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best tennis players, including world No.80 Blaz Rola (SLO), when the City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2015 hits Happy Valley Tennis Club from 3–11 January.
Local tennis fans will have the opportunity to attend the event and watch Rola, along with Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS), Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) and a crop of up-and-coming tennis stars from across Australia and around the world compete for USD$50,000 in prize money and valuable world ranking points.
While the on-court action will be the main event, organisers at Happy Valley Tennis Club have worked hard to coordinate a range of opportunities for the community to enjoy.
A 90-strong team of volunteers will look after the behind the scenes operations of the event, overseeing catering requirements as well as player, court and transport services. Children have also been given the opportunity to join the team, with around 50 young tennis fans set to hit the court as ballkids following weeks of intensive training.
Local businesses are also set to throw their support behind the tournament, with many taking part in a Pro-Am event on Tuesday 6 January. Teams will battle it out in a fun night of matches to earn the pride of winning the 2015 Pro-Am.
Day 6 of the event will see a platinum-level Australian Money Tournament for men and women added to the mix, with AUD$10,000 prize money on offer. Preliminary rounds will be played at Morphett Vale Tennis Club on 8–9 January, with final rounds to join the ATP Challenger at Happy Valley Tennis Club on 10–11 January.
Children will have the chance to take to the court in an ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Tournament on Friday 9 January. ANZ Tennis Hot Shots events introduce children to tournament play in an exciting and fun environment. Children will compete in short, timed sets allowing for multiple playing opportunities against different opponents. Participants are set to receive a surprise visit from special guest, world No.85 Marcos Baghdatis.
Finals day on Sunday 11 January will commence with doubles at 11:00am, followed by a Cardio Tennis demonstration and the singles final.
“This event offers a fantastic opportunity for the local community to see world class tennis right in their backyard,” said Tournament Director Breanna Hassam.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer the community such a diverse range of events and opportunities alongside the ATP Challenger. After the success of the Futures level event in previous years, this is the ideal chance for locals to get involved and rally behind this ATP Challenger event in its first year,” Hassam added.
Background
The City of Onkaparinga ATP Challenger 2015 will take place at Happy Valley Tennis Club, Aberfoyle Park, South Australia from 3–11 January 2015.
Entry to the event from 3–9 January is free of charge. Tickets for Saturday 10 January and Sunday 11 January will start from $3.00 and can be purchased at the gate.
For more information on the Australian Pro Tour or Tennis Australia visit www.tennis.com.au. For more information on the ATP Challenger Tour visit www.atpworldtour.com.
For more information about the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Tournament, please visit www.tennis.com.au/sa. Entries for this event close on Friday 2 January.
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