THE Playford International tennis tournament will return later this year, with an increase in prize money set to feature.
To be held at the Playford City Tennis Centre from Monday, October
28 to Sunday, November 3, the event will close the Australian Pro Tour calendar for 2019.
In a boost for the women’s competition, prize money has increased to $87,000, while the men’s competition will boast a $160,000 prize pool.
Tennis SA chief executive Steven Baldas said Tennis SA was “thrilled” to return to the Playford City Tennis Centre in October.
“A sincere thank you goes to the City of Playford, TennisGear and Playford Tennis Club for their unwavering support of this tournament,” he said.
“This event continues to go from strength-to-strength and we are excited to see the tournament grow again later this year.”
Playford Council recorded an increased attendance at last year’s Playford International, despite the competition being played in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees.
Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said the tournament was one of the “highlights” of the areas’ sporting calendar.
“Our Council is excited to be hosting the third City of Playford Tennis International, late in 2019,” he said.
“The feedback we received from players, business, tourism operators and attendees was fantastic and local shops enjoyed increased trade and foot traffic during the top-quality sporting event.”
Previously, the tournament attracted Russian male world number 13 Daniil Medvedev and his compatriot, former female world number two Vera Zvonareva.
Last year’s men’s event was won by then-world number 136 Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and the women’s competition by Russian world number 146 Anna Kalinskaya.
The field for the 2019 tournament will be announced in October.
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