Curro Holdings, the JSE-listed independent education provider, has partnered with Tennis South Africa to host three International Tennis Federation (ITF) combined men's and women's prize tournaments at Curro Hillcrest in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in June and July 2024.
The Curro Centre Court Series forms part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as the global body's pathway between the junior game and elite senior level. The series will provide an opportunity for rising local tennis stars to face off against international players. It will be the first time since 2021 that professional men’s international tournaments will be held in South Africa and will add a prestigious leg to the existing international tournaments for women on the calendar.
The events are expected to attract a mix of the best South African juniors and local fledgling professionals, as well as international players from across Africa and abroad. Local professional players expected to compete include the country’s top women's player, Isabella Kruger, and Davis Cup player Philip Henning, to mention a few.
“Generally, South African players have to travel to other countries to play in tournaments of this calibre because there are very few events of this nature hosted locally,” says Curro CEO, Cobus Loubser. “Curro aims to inspire generations of South African champions by creating unparalleled opportunities and driving excellence in sports and that is why we have hosted ITF Junior Tournaments for top-ranking players from all over the world over the last few years. However, the Curro Centre Court Series expands our efforts, catering for professional players and offering significant prize purses. We are once again demonstrating our support for tennis in South Africa because we see ourselves as a driving force in the long-term growth of tennis in our country.”
The first event will be a combined M15 and W15 tournament between 17-23 June, with $30,000 (R560 000) prize money on offer for men and women. This will be followed by a combined M25 and W15 competition between 23-30 June, with $25,000 (R462 500) on the line for men and $15,000 (R277 500) on offer for women. Finally, a combined M15 and W35 event will be held between 1-7 July, with a prize purse of $15,000 (R277 500) up for grabs for men and $25,000 (R462 500) on offer for women.
“These tournaments are another big step forward for elite men’s and women’s tennis in the country, and we are looking forward to thrilling contests throughout the three weeks of competition,” said TSA President Gavin Crookes.
“We are delighted to have international men’s tennis events back in South Africa, as well as more quality women’s events thus adding to the existing opportunities on offer for local players. Having combined events not only makes economic sense but is another step in the right direction, to assisting all South African players with international ambitions with the opportunity to secure valuable ranking points and prize money on home soil.”
“Our longstanding partnership with Curro is well-known within the South African tennis community, and these events demonstrate the Group’s continued intention to create further opportunities for South African players, something for which we at Tennis South Africa are truly grateful,” concludes Crookes.