Curro Holdings partnered with Tennis South Africa (TSA) to bring world-class tennis right here to Stellenbosch with two International Tennis Federation (ITF) men’s and women’s tournaments. The tournament, held at the Van der Stel courts, will take place from Sunday 1 to Sunday 15 December. Eikestadnuus spoke to Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager at Curro Sport about the event and who the international and local players to watch are.
What will the tournaments entail? The tournament includes a men’s (M15) ($15 000) and women’s (W15) event with the first tournament running from 1 to 7 December and the second from 8 to 15 December. Each category boasts prize money of $15 000 per week, an overall pool of $60 000. The series was launched in Hillcrest, Johannesburg, in June.
Why did Curro decide to continue the tournament in Stellenbosch? The success of the first leg of the Curro Centre Court Series underscores the importance of local support and investment in tennis. It demonstrates that with the right opportunities and platforms, South African players can shine on the international stage, inspiring future generations to take up the sport. We look forward to the success of the two Stellenbosch tournaments.
What opportunities do hosting such tournaments bring for South Africa’s professional players and rising stars? As the tournaments form part of the men’s and women’s ITF tour, the series allows some of the world’s best up-and-coming players to improve their rankings by earning points for their performances. These points are crucial for their professional careers and are typically gained at a much higher cost in international tournaments. The series also significantly reduces the financial burden on local players, allowing them to compete at a high level without the expense of international travel. These events offer an opportunity for rising local tennis stars to face off against international professional players with attractive prize pots on offer.
How has the series impacted local players? South African players who competed in the Curro Centre Court Series earlier this year have earned valuable ranking points on the world’s biggest professional tours – ATP Men’s World Tour and WTA Women’s World Tour. The three weeks in Hillcrest proved pivotal for South Africans who represented 39,7% of the draw (201 out of 508 players were South African) and a further 46,3% of the South Africans were under 20 years old. This is a stark contrast to the handful of players who have the means to travel outside of the country to get the same exposure. A total of 387 ATP and WTA points were won by South Africans in the three-week Hillcrest series, which amounts to 55,7% of all points won by South Africans in the entire previous calendar year (695).
Are there any Stellenbosch locals expected to be in action at the tournament? Marc van der Merwe and Carl Roothman, both from Paul Roos Gymnasium will be taking part. Other locals include Grey College alumni Phillip Henning, Curro Durbanville alumni Kris van Wyk and Isabella Kruger and Zoe Kruger, both Curro Hazeldean alumni. Current Hoërskool Stellenbosch player HanMarie McAslin will be on the court as well as Leo Matthysen and Willem de Waal (PRG) will be in action.
How does the tournament help showcase tennis and help the development of the sport? By hosting and investing in these tournaments, Curro aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of SA tennis champions. The series brings the best players to our country and gives our young up-and-coming stars the tangible opportunity to see them in action and compete to test their abilities. Generally, South African players must travel to other countries to play in tournaments of this calibre. Having these tournaments in SA not only offers valuable exposure and experience but also helps elevate the status of tennis in our country. Curro’s commitment is to create a thriving tennis culture that encourages young athletes to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential, ensuring that South Africa is represented with pride on the global tennis stage. Professional players expected to compete include Leo Borg, son of Swedish five-time Wimbledon winner, Bjorn Borg, South African Davis Cup team players Alec Beckley, Leo Matthysen and Phillip Henning, Fed Cup team player Isabella Kruger as well as top ranked local junior players Connor Doig and Jahnie van Zyl.
Where can spectators get their tickets? Entrance is free to the public and we urge the local community to get behind the South African players.
