Vision View Productions and Tennis South Africa have confirmed the 2021 edition of the SA Spring Open.
The event has been pencilled in from September 20 to 26 at the Ellis Park tennis courts, which has become to be known as the ‘Old Lady of Tennis’ and follows the cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to the outbreak of the coronavirus global pandemic.
The Spring Open is a combined International Tennis Federation (ITF) sanctioned tournament featuring the able-bodied ITF US$25 000 Transitional Tour and Wheelchair Tennis ITF Grade 2 events for men and women, and quads.
It is described as the largest inclusive tennis tournament in South Africa and the continent, as it is the only tennis event where both able-bodied and wheelchair tennis takes place at the same time and the same venue.
The 2019 tournament saw wheelchair tennis star and Wimbledon finalist, Kgothatso Montjane crowned as the inaugural SA Spring Open women’s singles champion, while South Africa’s current number one, Chanel Simmonds and Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Lock were also victorious in their respective able-bodied singles categories.
The seven-day tennis extravaganza had more than 170 players from 25 countries participating also saw the rise of new heroes. SA’s top-ranked junior, Khololwami Montsi made his breakthrough in senior tennis during the week, alongside fellow future stars, Mbali Langa, Preston Brown (USA) and Merel Hoedt (Netherlands).
The open endeavours to put elite tennis back on South Africa’s sporting calendar by presenting world-class tennis being played on home soil, while reviving the interest in the sport and growing the game of tennis in different parts of the country.
Vision View Productions managing director Mafadi Mpuru said, “Following a thorough review of safety, logistical and general challenges posed by the pandemic, it was deemed feasible to stage the tournament this September.
“The tournament will once more become a festival of tennis where rising professional tennis players have the opportunity to advance to top levels of the game through earning valuable ITF ranking points.”
Richard Glover, the outgoing CEO of Tennis SA, welcomed the news and said, “We are delighted to see the return of international tennis to South Africa, and are excited to host the second edition of the SA Spring Open after a pandemic enforced delay.
“The Spring Open in September will be part of three back-to-back weeks of $25 000 [about R360 000] prize money events that will attract an exciting mix of both local and international players, and will take place with strict Covid-19 safety protocols in place.”
Top seeds and the main draw will be confirmed in the weeks leading up to the tournament. With no crowds permitted to attend, all the action will be live on SuperSport, with Vision View TV also live streaming the tennis spectacle.
Details: www.saspringopen.co.za; follow @SASpringOpen
