SL to host ITF NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour from tomorrow
The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) announced that they would be
hosting the 6th consecutive International Wheelchair Tennis Open
Tournament from the February 21 to 23 at SLTA courts Colombo 7. This
tournament would be a US$ 2000 prize money tournament and a significant
wheelchair tennis tournament on the ITF Future Series NEC series on the
calendar.
The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour originated in 1992 with 11
international tournaments. It has grown into a tour comprising of 161
events in 40 countries around the world. The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour
concludes with the most prestigious event, the NEC Wheelchair Tennis
Masters, a year-end world championship for the top eight men and women
players and top four Quad players. The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour is
divided into Grand Slams, Super Series, ITF 1, 2 and 3 Series events and
ITF Futures events.
With international rankings and prize money, the event has clearly
elevated the sport to a more professional level. Tournaments offer
various draws allowing all players a chance to compete at a competitive
level. The No. 1 ranked male and female players at the end of the year
are honoured as the Wheelchair Tennis World Champions during the ITF
World Champions Dinner held at Roland Garros.
This tournament will attract top ranking wheelchair tennis players
from the world and players from Australia and India have already
confirmed their participation and few more countries are to take part.
Sri Lanka's Upali Rajakaruna currently ranked at 69 is practicing
hard to bring honor to Sri Lanka in the tournament. The local team is
coached by Jagath Welikala and PS Kumara and total of 16 including top
SL Players, Rajakaruna, Gamini and Perera will be seen in action at this
tournament. This tournament will provide an opportunity to get more
international ranking points for our players who are preparing for forth
coming world cup in in Turkey.
According to the SLTA, due to financial constraints talented
wheelchair tennis players of Sri Lanka who are Army personnel injured
during the civil war, are not able to compete often at international
ranking tournaments where they could have bettered their rankings. This
tournament will have two draws as Main and Second.
AA
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