Two new US$100,000 ATP Challenger Tour events in Glasgow, Scotland, and Loughborough, England, are set to join the UK calendar this year, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced. This is to provide competition in the UK ahead of the grass court tennis season which includes the prestigious Wimbledon Championships Grand Slam tournament.
The first of these events in the ATP Challenger series (the second tier of ATP competition) will be held in Glasgow on April 28-May 6 at the Scotstoun Tennis Centre, while the second will take place at the Dan Maskell Centre at Loughborough University on May 19-27.
Leon Smith, LTA head of men’s tennis and Davis Cup captain, said, “It’s great news that we’re creating more playing opportunities for British players in the UK. These Challenger events are invaluable in providing high-quality match experience as well as the opportunity to build up important ATP ranking points. Hopefully we can see some high-level performances from our Brits at these events.”
Oliver Scadgell, LTA director of major events and competitions, said, “We are delighted to add to new playing opportunities at home for GB players, bringing high-level men’s tennis to Glasgow and Loughborough.
“These two new events enhance our domestic calendar of international tournaments in 2018, which consists of 12 ITF Pro-Circuit tournaments (six men’s and six women’s) ranging in prize money from US$15,000 to US$25,000, in addition to the grass court Trophy Series which sees three events for men at Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley and four for women at Surbiton, Manchester, Ilkley and Southsea.”
March 16, 2018
