Thanyapura nets international tennis event

PHUKET: Tennis on Phuket has received a spectacular boon with Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) announcing that their facility will host one round of the Chang International Tennis Federation (ITF) Thailand Pro Circuit 2011 tournament.

The competition will run from October 29 to November 12 and is the very first tennis event of this caliber to be held in Phuket.

One of the many positive factors which ensured TSLC the tournament was that of the advanced Plexicushion surfaced tennis courts. Notably, this surface is the same as that laid at Melbourne Park – venue for the Australian Open tennis tournament.

A purse of USD10,000 is on offer which is sure to draw the very best Thai and international professionals who participate on this highly competitive satellite circuit.

One big name confirmed for the event is Thailand’s up and coming star Kittipong “Pong” Wachiramanowong. The 21-year-old from Songkla is touted to be the kingdom’s number one player in the near future and already has five ITF titles to date.

It is also hoped that the Thai national tennis team will use the facility from October 29 to November 5 in preparation for the SEA Games in Indonesia.

Aspiring tennis players on Phuket will be thrilled to know that an opportunity to play against these professionals is also available. A wild card entry into the ITF tournament will be awarded to the winner of TSLC’s first tennis tournament – the “Thanyapura Tennis Challenge” – scheduled for October 14 to 16.

TSLC Vice President David Roberts is delighted with the meteoric rise of TSLC as a destination sporting venue, affirmed by being awarded the upcoming ITF tournament.

“It is an honor to host Phuket’s first ITF event and it is a great indication for the future of the sport at the Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club,” Mr Roberts said.

“These satellite tournaments are a fantastic breeding ground for young tennis players to learn about the ardors of life on the tennis circuit, and I am sure it will be the start of a long relationship between the ITF and the TSLC to promote the sport in Phuket and attract more players onto their circuit,” he added.

According to Mr Roberts, the ITF tournament will act as a platform to bring more tournaments to the club and increase the facilities’ attraction as a training venue for professionals.

The Phuket Gazette sponsors the Chang International Tennis Federation Thailand Pro Circuit 2011 in Phuket..

— Neil Quail