SA Open tennis for East London
5 December 2007
When the South African Open tennis tournament took place - for the first time since 1994 - in Durban in January, it clashed with the Australian Open. Next year's event begins on 12 February, avoiding a clash with the major, thus increasing the likelihood of a stronger field for the tournament.
Durban hosted the South African Airways (SAA) Open in January, but the 2008 event will be played a little later in the year in East London, with the sponsor putting up R4-million in prize money.
A destination for big sporting events
It's an exciting move for the Eastern Cape city and the MEC for sports, recreation, arts and culture, Noxolo Ntantiso, says she is excited that East London is becoming a destination for big sporting events.
"We have already secured the rights to host the annual Vodacom Challenge (soccer tournament) in the Nelson Mandela Metro, and now we will be hosting an international tennis event where
we will see some of the world's leading tennis players battling it out in Buffalo City," she said.
East London is part of the Buffalo City municipality, and is the seat of that municipality, which also includes King William's Town and Bhisho.
"We are hoping to host this event for the next three years; we will be discussing with SAA and Tennis South Africa [this] possibility," Ntantiso added.
On the world map
South African Airways chief executive officer Khaya Ngqula, who announced the move to East London, said the event would put Buffalo City on the world map as more than 100-million households would be watching it.
"This is Buffalo City's time," he reckoned.
"The world's eyes will be on East London, and I am sure this will be a successful tournament. We also want tennis to reach the rural areas and I am sure, with events like these and the proper development structures, we will be able to take [the sport] to rural
areas."
He committed the airline to developing tennis, saying that over the next three years it would invest over R100-million in the sport.
Praise for SAA
South African Tennis Association CEO Ian Smith praised SAA's support of the sport, saying: "SAA is the official airline for the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and it also sponsors the South African Open, showing that tennis is a top priority at the airline.
"It has also helped us to support Roger Federer's Imbewu Project in the metro."
*(See below for more about Imbewu)
Smith says some of the top 100 players in the world will be taking part in the SAA Open.
He further explained: "We are allowed to have a wild card from number 11 to number one; we will be negotiating with one of these players. We are hoping that we will be able to lure one of them to the SA Open," adding that it would cost millions to bring one of the top 11 players to the
competition.
2007 SAA Open
Last year's SAA Open was won by Mathieu Montcourt, who upset top-seed Stefan Koubek in the semi-finals before outlasting South Africa's Rik de Voest in the final by a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 margin.
De Voest, though, enjoyed a fine showing, teaming up with Dominik Meffert after the singles final to capture the doubles' title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Stephane Bohli and Noam Okun.
The South African Open was once ranked only marginally behind the majors and the ultimate aim is for the tournament to elevate itself to a similar status in the future. Moving the dates upon which it falls, so that it no longer clashes with a major, is an important step on the path towards realising that goal.
Imbweu and Roger Federer
*Roger Federer, the world's number one ranked tennis player, has been involved with Imbewu since May 2004, through his Roger Federer Foundation; he supports
children through the non-governmental organisation's programme, with the assistance of his South African-born mother, Lynette, and his father, Robert.
Children are provided with schooling and two meals, as well as uniforms and writing materials.
In addition, the Swiss star promotes sport for young people. As a role model, there are few sportspersons, in any sport, that are as highly respected as the humble Federer, who is, no doubt, a huge inspiration to the lucky recipients of his support, and to tennis fans in general.
Regular visitor
His mother travels to South Africa twice a year and she and her husband recently visited Imbewu in October.
Federer, who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), is involved in many projects around the world, and has also visited Imbweu, taking time out of his extremely busy schedule to travel to South Africa in 2005.
South African Airways' investment,
along with the support and inspiration provided by the undisputed best player in the world, gives tennis in South Africa an optimistic outlook.
SAInfo reporter and Buffalo City
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