Ace for SA as Tour Down Under rides in tennis’ slipstream to complete bumper two weeks of major international sport

Adelaide will have two weeks of international exposure in January after the Tour Down Under revealed it will follow the new Adelaide International tennis event.

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Adelaide will have two weeks of global exposure with the Tour Down Under announcing it will follow the new Adelaide International ATP and WTA tennis event with the men’s Santos Tour Down Under running from January 21-26.

The South Australian tennis event, which is expected to attract top fields, will run from January 13-18 as the lead-up event to the Australian Open.

It means the TDU will be on at the same time as the first week of the Australian tennis major in Melbourne while the women’s TDU has been pencilled in for January 16-19, subject to approval from the UCI management committee.

The TDU signals the start of the men’s and women’s international racing calendars as the peloton cycles throughout Adelaide and the surrounding regions and get to showcase South Australia around the world.

The tennis and the TDU will be a significant boost for traders in the city, with hotel rooms expected to be at a premium for both weeks and the hospitality industry welcoming visitors from around Australia and overseas.

Tour Down Under winner Daryl Impey, middle, on the final stage at Port Willunga during this year’s Tour Down Under. Picture SARAH REED

The TDU’s women’s event, which is set to run at the same time as the tennis, is expecting some of the best female teams of the world while the Adelaide International is expected to have the majority of the world’s top-10 tennis players headlining its women’s event.

South African Daryl Impey made history by winning back-to-back ochre jerseys at this year’s event in January after a thrilling finish up Willunga Hill while Amanda Spratt made it three in a row in the women’s race.

Originally published as Ace for SA as Tour Down Under rides in tennis’ slipstream to complete bumper two weeks of major international sport