This is the second article I wrote for Tennis Manitoba. It is also being looked at to feature in some newspapers here in Winnipeg. The article looks at an international caliber tennis tournament that is happening right here this summer. Exciting stuff!
“Having an ITF here will definitely be nice since I won't need to worry about the hassle with hotels, flights and meals,” she said.
“When I am away travelling for tournaments it can often take time to adjust to the new courts and get comfortable with the surroundings, so I am excited to be able to play a big tournament without having to worry about all the things I would in a different city,” she added.
The tournament, sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, aims to provide young players from our province with the opportunity to test themselves against some top quality juniors from a number of different countries such as India, Hong Kong, Russia, Brazil and South Africa.
The event will be Manitoba’s first international tennis tournament since the 1999 Pan Am Games and act as the third leg of a western Canadian “tour” for the ITF, which will also feature tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton.
The tournament is open to both under-18 boys and girls with singles and doubles categories. For those failing to qualify for the main draw, satellite tournaments will be held to ensure that those traveling don’t leave without getting a change to play.
Organizer Bruce Waschuk said the tournament itself was set up as a North American affair before it grew into something bigger.
“The tournament here was really our chance to bring together some top junior players from Canada and then from the States and it just so happens that we have close to 20 different countries,” he said.
Waschuk said the chance for our players to have a tournament like this here at home is one that top players and potential entrants alike shouldn’t take for granted.
“This could be your one chance to play in an international event and do it in your own backyards and be able to tell your friends. It’s a chance that most players don’t get in their lives,” he said.
Evann Waschuk agrees with her dad, and said she’s looking forward to the challenge of playing the best.
“Like any other big tournament it’s a great chance to test myself against other players, especially since there will be many international players I haven't played or seen before,” added the Vincent Massey Collegiate student.
Having an ITF event is clearly seen as a major step forward for junior level tennis in Manitoba as it will give aspiring players a chance to watch high level, international play, something Bruce feels that prospective players just don’t get to see on a regular enough basis to grow the game.
“Young kids, when they aspire to be an athlete, can see football all over and go and watch hockey but what does a tennis player look like? That’s what we want to show them,” he said.
Waschuk added that putting these talented players on display to inspire the next generation of tennis youngsters to get involved with the game is what would really make the tournament a success in the long run.
“We hope it’s an event that some kids will come and watch and think someday I can maybe play this event and then boost tennis in Manitoba. That’s the big goal.”
Registration for the tournament runs until June 22nd and requires an International Player Identification Number, which can be obtained through the ITF website, which does require a registration fee that can be paid online.
For more information on registration and the tournament in general visit JoinTheTour.com or the official Tennis Manitoba website.
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