LTA confirms the second Glasgow Challenger in September
In February 2015, Glasgow got a chance to host an indoor Challenger event, gathering a nice field of players and with Niels Desein who prevailed against Ruben Bemelmans after two and a half hours. After three years, the Scotstoun Leisure Centre staged another Glasgow Challenger, this time in the first week of May, as one of the steps in the Scottish tennis development that has not achieved the full potential after all great results from Murray brothers in the last ten years or so. Jamie Murray is one of the key persons behind this event and the organizers have announced the second edition between September 16-22, ready to enter the doubles draw despite the fact he is ranked inside the top-10.
LTA will host the tournament together with Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and Tennis Scotland and it has one of the main roles in their efforts to stage tennis events outside the regular June swing and open the sport to more kids throughout the country. Glasgow has been the synonym for tennis in Great Britain in the last couple of years, staging Davis Cup semi-final ties in 2015 and 2016 that gathered one of the best crowds in this competition in recent years.
“Staging tournaments like this means we can provide our pipeline of talented, young British players with more opportunities to compete at home. We also know that giving fans the chance to enjoy thrilling tennis up close can inspire them to play. Wimbledon is a fantastic showcase for the sport, but tennis doesn’t start and stop in July. Events like our ATP Challenger in Scotland in September help us to keep tennis in front of mind all year round. We aim to open tennis up to anyone with interest in it and we’re delighted to be working with Jamie Murray to ensure this year’s Challenger is an even greater success for the players and fans alike,” Scott Lloyd said.
“Some of the best memories of my career have been playing Davis Cup ties at home and I am delighted to be working with the LTA and Glasgow Life on the planning and delivery of an ATP Challenger in Scotland later this year. Last year’s inaugural event was a fantastic success with over three thousand fans coming along to support all the British and international players. We hope to make this year’s tournament more successful, providing a platform to inspire more young people in Scotland to take up our sport. I look forward to seeing everyone again in September,” Jamie Murray said.
“We’re delighted to see the return of the Glasgow Trophy ATP Challenger Tour to Scotstoun. Last year’s event was a fantastic success, and working with the LTA and Jamie Murray to bring this back to Glasgow means we know fans are in for another treat. Glasgow is among the top five sporting cities in the world, and our city is looking forward to welcoming back athletes and tennis fans to Scotstoun in September for what’s sure to be some fierce and entertaining competition,” Councillor David McDonald said.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2VIA1ls
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