Adelaide has hosted a major international tennis tournament in Sydney for at least the next five years, in a move that Tennis Australia and the South Australian government are calling a coup.
Key points:
- New Adelaide tennis tournament to replace Sydney International
- Memorial Drive Tennis Center will receive a new $10 million glass roof
- The facility may be able to open more events outside of tennis
Premier Steven Marshall said the State Government’s $10 million in funding announced today for a canopy over the Memorial Drive Tennis Center was instrumental in ensuring the ATP men’s and women’s WTA tournaments replaced the Sydney International.
The week-long tournament will take place in Adelaide from January 2020 and will serve as preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The as-yet-unnamed event will be the first international tennis tournament to take place in Adelaide since 2008, when the city lost its professional tournament to Brisbane.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said the event would bring 120 of the world’s best players to Adelaide, playing on at least three courts.
“On the women’s side, you’ll see the best – we estimate there are 28 or 29 of the top 30 (players),” Mr Tiley said.
“There will be no other women’s event in the world that will have this strength other than the grand slams.“
Australian Samantha Stosur plays at the Sydney International on January 7. (PAA: Craig Golding)
Men’s players have tended to skip the Sydney International due to its proximity to the Australian Open.
“I think we’ll see more of that (in Adelaide) now we’ve got the roof over our heads,” Mr Tiley said.
He said he was not bothered by the fact that with around 5,000 seats, Memorial Drive had half the capacity of the tennis center at Sydney Olympic Park.
“It’s a perfect size venue in a perfect location, we couldn’t be happier, and for the city of Adelaide and the state I think it’s a coup,” he said.
Sydney was recently announced as host city for the ATP Cupa men’s team competition with players from 24 countries.
Tennis Australia said the initial contract for the event was for five years, but it hoped the match would become a long-term deal.
Help for young local tennis players
Lleyton Hewitt – one of Adelaide’s most famous tennis stars – said the competition would be a source of motivation for young players.
“For the younger kids coming in, it gives them a great opportunity to get out and soak up the atmosphere,”
Hewitt said.
“I was able to come to the Australian men’s hard court all these years growing up and I dreamed of being able to play on my home court in an ATP event.”
The state government said agreeing to fund the new canopy was key to convincing Tennis Australia to stage the event in Adelaide.
“We know this is a great investment for South Australia as it will inspire the next generation of South Australian tennis champions,” Mr Marshall said.
A view of the new canopy from War Memorial Drive. (Provided)
Tennis Australia will also participate
Tennis Australia will contribute $1 million on top of the $10 million contributed by South Australian taxpayers.
In addition to the woven fiberglass canopy, new fencing and lighting are planned, as well as a renovation of four courts.
The government hopes the renovated facilities can host other events when not in use for tennis.
The government said the canopy would be in place in time for the 2020 tournament.
The $10 million is added to the same amount promised by the Coalition during the 2016 elections this sum has already been spent on a new outdoor performance pitch and two new match pitches.
Tennis SA announced an unfunded $150 million plan last January to increase the capacity of Memorial Drive and add a retractable roof.
