Tennis Europe has announced that the 2019 European Senior Championships will be hosted by the Austrian Tennis Federation in Pörtschach, from 10 - 16 June.
The Werzer Tennis Arena venue is a favourite among players of the ITF Senior Circuit and has a long history of organising many of Europe’s most prestigious events.
The 2019 edition of the European Senior Championships will be the first ever ‘open’ edition of the tournament. With the Regional Championship event now accessible to players from all over the world, organisers are expecting one of the toughest fields in the history of the tournament. Furthermore, participants can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in back-to-back high level events in Pörtschach, with a Grade A ITF Senior Circuit event expected to be played the preceding week (3-9 June).
The European Senior Championships is Europe’s most prestigious in terms of ranking points. Played on clay courts, the tournament will see all men’s and ladies’ age categories in action (35-85), plus doubles and mixed doubles events. Singles events will also offer consolation competitions.
The long-term aim of Tennis Europe is to upgrade the European Championships and ensure that it retains and enhances its position as the highlight of Europe’s senior tennis calendar. As part of the plan to grow the event sustainably, Tennis Europe hopes to obtain a fixed week in the Senior Circuit calendar in order to assist the players with their annual planning in future.
Tournament director Gernot Dreier highlighted the rich tennis history and many tourist attractions of the region, including the Pörtschach bay, the castle of Velden and the Pyramidenkogel tower. “The aim of the Carinthian Tennis Association is to make this tournament an exemplary event for seniors,” he said. “Our key words are ‘Stylish and dignified, familiar and friendly, a tournament with competition and feel-good character.’”
Entries will be open, via IPIN, in due course.