Timaru leaps onto world tennis stage

Timaru is set to be on the world stage of senior tennis in 2011.

The International Tennis Federation has awarded the 2011 ITF World Seniors Team and Individual Championships to Christchurch and they will be hosted at Wilding Park.

Some of the teams events, however, will be played at Timaru's South Canterbury Finance Tennis Centre in February 2011.

Tennis South Canterbury development officer Tony Brosnahan said they were delighted to be chosen as co-hosts for what promised to be a wonderful spectacle.

It would be a real boost for the city of Timaru, with around 100 competitors and their supporters staying and enjoying local hospitality for about a week, he said.

The championships are for players 35 years and over. The event will run for two weeks and is expected to attract more than 700 players and supporters.

Brosnahan said the tournament usually attracted some high-profile former champions, including those who have played in Grand Slam tournaments.

He also expected some local players would consider entering.

The president of the International Tennis Federation, Francesco Ricci Bitti, said the ITF had great confidence in awarding the event to Christchurch given Canterbury Tennis' excellent track record at running championships.

- © Fairfax NZ News