The Deputy Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, in partnership with Airports Company South Africa, invites the media to the upcoming Airports Company South Africa SA Wheelchair Tennis Open will be played at the grand old lady of tennis, Ellis Park in Joburg, on the 29th April 2014.
Wheelchair Tennis is internationally recognised and administratered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Wheelchair Tennis South Africa was established in 2005 and is affiliated to Tennis South Africa and ITF. The sport has an international tour played in all continents annually and the players on the tour earn world ranking points. Wheelchair Tennis is a paralympic sport.
A top field of local and international players are expected in the country for the tournament which is a Super Series event on the International Tennis Federation Wheelchair Tennis Tour. The tournament will be played from the 29 April – 3 May 2014.
Lucas Sithole will be spear heading the South African challenge at both events. Sithole, the world number 2 quad player is the defending US Open champion and reached the final of this year’s Australian Open in January.
The opening ceremony will be held on the morning of 29 April at 08h30 on the match court. Ambassadors and High Commissioners from diplomatic corporations in South Africa, representing players from all over the world entered in the tournament, will attend the ceremony. Local and national Government officials have also be invited.
For enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
DWCPD: Ms Emilie Olifant
Cell: 082 903 9250
E-mail: emilie.olifant@dwcpd.gov.za
ACSA: Ms. Tonie Jere
Cell: 082 866 3369
E-mail: tonie@tcf.co.za
