‘Puts Tasmania on the map’: Push for more international tennis in Tassie

As Hobart prepares to welcome some of the world’s best players later this year, Tennis Tasmania is determined to help meet the needs of a facility outgrowing the needs of its everyday members.

With the upgrade of the Domain Tennis Centre, Tennis Tasmania will push for further major tournaments after securing the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time since 2014.

This masthead announced on Friday Hobart would host the tournament’s qualifiers in November.

The successful bid means Brazil and Portugal will play against Australia.

The $8m upgrade which was handed down by the federal government could potentially bring further tournaments to Tasmania.

“We know with these events, while this is specific to the Billie Jean King Cup, it also puts Tasmania on the map going globally in terms of attracting them back for the summer with Hobart and then Launceston and Burnie,” Tennis Tasmania general manager Darren Sturgess said.

JTennis Tasmania General Manager Darren Sturgess announcing a Billie Jean King Cup Play-off round will be played at the Domain Tennis Centre. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA/ RICHARD JUPE

“It’s an investment into the site, which hasn’t had a major investment for a decade or so.

“We want to bring the venue up to the standard of international tennis as well, but the club continues to put its best foot forward and is growing in terms of its participation base every single year.

“It’s starting to outgrow the needs of the members 52 weeks of the year and then with major events like this, it’s going to support our ability to attract more in future.”

Sturgess said the state’s governing body would continue to work with the Domain Tennis Centre and stakeholders on further workers.

“We’re proud to bring these great events here and we also work really well together with all layers of government, whether that be council, state government or federal,” he said.

Sturgess said he is expecting a strong travelling contingent.

“We think that there’s going to be visitation up towards the 800 mark,” Sturgess said.

“There’s a lot of opportunities to work with the hotels at that time of the year to attract people down as well, just as we’re leading into the summer.

“Being an Australian team and Tassie being such a great destination, tourism are working on a winter campaign as well.”

Tasmanians could have the opportunity to watch some of Australia’s best players represent their country when the tournament takes place.

The all-female competition could see the likes of World No. 52. Maya Joint, who made the Hobart International semi-finals this year.

Ajla Tomljanović and Daria Saville could also be in contention for the Aussie team.

Originally published as ‘Puts Tasmania on the map’: Push for more international tennis in Tassie