Tennis Canada launches “Let’s Make Tennis Matter for Kids” PSA Campaign

Public service announcements aimed at raising money for Kids Tennis programming set to air during Rogers Cup

July 31, 2013, Toronto – Tennis Canada announced Wednesday the launch of a national public service campaign promoting tennis participation for children across the country and the “Let’s Make Tennis Matter for Kids” fundraising initiative. The series of three spots are set to start airing during Rogers Cup presented by National Bank which takes place in Montreal and Toronto simultaneously from August 3-11.

The campaign plays off of the popularity of hockey, one of Canada’s national pastimes, in a light-hearted manner, using visuals that depict young hockey players in various states of disinterest with the sport and the tagline “Not all Kids in Canada want to Play Hockey.”

“We know that hockey in Canada is like a religion,” said Michael S. Downey, president and CEO, Tennis Canada. “But the truth of the matter is that not all kids are interested in lacing up their skates and hitting the ice for the first time. We want to ensure our sport is an option for those kids and their parents by increasing awareness and accessibility to Kids Tennis. This campaign and the resulting money raised will help us in achieving our mission of growing the sport of tennis across Canada.”

A public service campaign for Kids Tennis was launched in March 2012 which featured Canada’s top singles player Milos Raonic playing a young girl in a humorous spot. The goal of that campaign was to build awareness for Kids Tennis which uses slower balls, smaller courts and right-sized racquets to help kids learn the sport in a fun and easy way. This new series of PSAs is the next stage of that campaign and is aimed at raising mass appeal donations for “Let’s Make Tennis Matter for Kids” which will be used to expand Kids Tennis programming across the country.

Tennis Canada launched the “Let’s Make Tennis Matter for Kids” fundraising initiative in 2010 to allow for direct investment into Kids Tennis, giving all children a chance to benefit from the lifelong opportunities tennis provides. To encourage giving among tennis fans across the country, 14 passionate supporters have come forward and will match all donations made by December 31, 2013. Since its inception, the campaign has raised over $1.7 million, allowing more than 200,000 kids to try tennis for the first time.

The goal of the campaign is to break last year's achievement of $300,000 in donations for Kids Tennis programming.

Developed by Toronto ad agency Bensimon Byrne, led by creative director Joseph Bonnici, two of the three spots will start airing during Rogers Cup on Sportsnet, RDS and SRC with the third to make its debut during Canada’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal tie against Serbia which will be aired on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Additional credit for the spots goes to production house OPC, audio team Pirate Radio and editing company Married to Giants.

The campaign will also be reinforced on site at Rogers Cup in both cities with presence on the videoboards, in the Tennis Canada booth and in the daily drawsheet.

To learn more about Let’s Make Tennis Matter for Kids or to donate, click here.





See also: Tennis takes on hockey

Tennis tourney a smash

Article courtesy of Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG hosted the first professional tennis tournament in the city since 2000 on the weekend at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.

It was the battle of Britain in the singles final. Top-seeded Johanna Konta defeated Samantha Murray 6-3, 6-1 to claim the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger singles championship. Konta, ranked 140th in the world, did not lose a set throughout the tournament.

Murray had a chance to win in the doubles final, but she and partner Jade Windley lost to unseeded Canadian Heidi El Tabakh and American partner Allie Kiick in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 10-8.

Tennis Manitoba executive director Mark Arndt is optimistic Winnipeg will hold the event again next year.

"CIBC Wood Gundy is very happy with the outcome of this tournament and they look to renew again for next year, so that's fantastic," Arndt said.

CBC Winnipeg reports on the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger champion, Johanna Konta.

Tennis Manitoba making name for itself putting on top-notch tournaments

Johanna Konta of Great Britain returns a shot en route to
winning  the women's singles final at the CIBC Wood Gundy
Challenger tennis in Winnipeg, Man. Sunday July 28, 2013.
BRIAN DONOGH/WINNIPEG SUN/QMI AGENCY

Article courtesy of Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun.

Johanna Konta, the woman who captured the inaugural US$25,000 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger tennis tournament in Winnipeg on Sunday, won a match at the U.S. Open last year and will compete again this fall in the tennis major.

That is a sign of the top-notch talent Winnipeg can attract now that it is in the business of hosting professional tennis tournaments. In fact, the International Tennis Federation asked Tennis Manitoba in December to host the Wood Gundy Challenger after its successful hosting of the ITF's Manshield Tennis Futures men's tournament last August.

"The success of that kind of put us on the map of the world tennis scene, and after that we were asked to host a women's one as well so they could complement each other," Tennis Manitoba executive director Mark Arndt said Sunday.

The second annual Manshield tournament will be held next month, and CIBC is already on board for another Wood Gundy Challenger next year.

Konta, who is the 139th-ranked women's player in the world, didn't lose a set all week at Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club in the 32-woman field. That included her 6-3, 6-1 triumph over fellow Brit Samantha Murray in Sunday's final under sunny skies and in barely a breath of wind.

Konta, who lost to world No. 16 Jelena Jankovic in the first round of Wimbledon last month, pocketed nearly $4,000 for the win.

"It's a good feeling," said Konta, who was the tournament's No. 1 seed. "Sam and I didn't play our best tennis today. I took my chances better than she did today, and that's how I came out on top."

Nearly 500 spectators were on hand to watch Sunday's final, and close to 3,000 overall turned out to watch the week's action. One of Tennis Manitoba's goals when it comes to hosting pro tournaments is to get its young members even more excited about the sport.

"It's going to start to happen, and that's the main premise of having an event like this, to show the youngsters tennis right in your own back yard," Arndt said. "There's an awe aspect here when it's in your own back yard and you can touch these players."

Konta said Winnipeg was an excellent host.

"It's a great tournament," said Konta, who is off to Vancouver for a $100,000 ITF tournament. "I truly believe the people do make a tournament, how helpful they are, and they really have been exceptionally helpful here and very accommodating, so it was a pleasure to play here."

Top seed aces women's pro tennis final

Samantha Murray (left) and Johanna Konta made it an
all-Brit final at the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Kyle Jahns, Winnipeg Free Press.

Top-seeded Johanna Konta defeated third-seed Samantha Murray on Sunday to win the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger tennis tournament.

Konta defeated Murray 6-3, 6-1 at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club in the first professional tennis tournament in Winnipeg since 2000.

"Every victory and every tournament win is a great feeling, so I'm very happy to have come through this week," Konta said. "I didn't think Sam and I played our best tennis today. I thought I took my chances better than she did, and so that's why I came out on top."

Murray picked up the first game of the set before Konta evened the score to one game each. Konta hit two back-to-back balls out of bounds in the third game to give Murray a 2-1 edge. However, Konta won five of the next six games to pick up the first set 6-3.

"I do think I was quite erratic in the first set," Konta said. "I wasn't making enough balls. Towards the second set, I tightened up my game and I got my balls in."

She kept up her momentum heading into the second set and was up 5-0 before Murray won her first game. Konta needed just one more game to take the set 6-1 and the match.

"I settled into the match and I really just became much more focused and concentrated on making more balls. It was just attention to detail and I managed to get the job done," Konta said. "In terms of playing-wise, I think I might have played better in some of the other matches. But I do think I was mentally very tough today and I took care of business, so I'm happy to do that."

The victory will help her world ranking of 140. She didn't lose a single set during the tournament.

Murray competed in both women's singles and doubles matches. She and her partner Jade Windley were in Saturday's doubles final but lost to unseeded Canadian Heidi El Tabakh and American partner Allie Kiick in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 10-8. Murray said she felt some fatigue after playing nine matches in six days.

"It all catches up to you, but I'm happy to get this far and I've had some tough matches and it was good to come through there," Murray said.

Murray and Konta, both from Great Britain, were thrilled with how the tournament went.

"The tournament is great. I can't believe it's the first time they've run it, because it's so well done. Canada has got to be my new favourite place to play," Murray said.

Tennis Manitoba executive director Mark Arndt was pleased the players and fans enjoyed the event. The finals brought in about 350 people and Arndt said more than 3,000 attended throughout the week.

He's optimistic Winnipeg will hold the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger again next year, saying he looks forward to putting the city back on the professional tennis circuit.

"CIBC Wood Gundy is very happy with the outcome of this tournament and they look to renew again for next year, so that's fantastic," Arndt said.

As the event continues and word of mouth spreads, he believes the tournament will attract new players with even higher world rankings.

"Word travels and spreads on the tour. If it's a good event, then players hear about it and then they come. So hopefully for next year we'll get even more in the hundreds (ranking)," Arndt said.

Great Britain's Konta captures Winnipeg Challenger

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

Great Britain’s Johanna Konta has been crowned the first champion of the inaugural CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, a $25K ITF Pro Circuit event in Winnipeg, following a 6-3, 6-1 win over countrywoman Samantha Murray at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club on Sunday.

The tournament’s No. 1 seed, Konta did not drop a set all week and in fact lost only 18 games through five matches. She was dominant on serve versus No. 3 Murray, never facing a single break point, while clinching four of the seven opportunities she received. She earned an early break in the first set and held on to the take the one-set lead before quickly going up 4-0 in the second set. Konta’s momentum continued through till she officially clinched the victory.

For the 22-year-old Australian-born competitor, the Winnipeg trophy is her first of the 2013 season and eighth overall. Currently ranked world No. 140, the win could help Konta best her career-high spot of No. 137, which she reached in June. Konta, who is coached by Canadian Louis Cayer – who is set to be inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame next week during Rogers Cup in Montreal – also won the $25K Waterloo Challenger in Canada back in 2009.

Konta’s triumph wraps up a successful first year for the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

“Congratulations to Johanna for winning the first CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger,” said Rob Langan, tournament director. “The tournament ran smoothly all week and we enjoyed a lot of exciting matches. It was wonderful to see such high-class tennis in Winnipeg.”

“We were well-received by the tennis community, and feedback from the players was also fantastic,” said Mark Arndt, executive director, Tennis Manitoba. “We definitely have a solid base to build from for next year and are already looking to make the second CIBC Woody Gundy Challenger ever better.”

Next up on the Canadian competitive calendar is the Odlum Brown VanOpen, a combined $100K men’s and $100K women’s Challenger, set to take place next week at the Hollyburn Country Club in Vancouver. Live scoring of all Canadian ITF-sanctioned events can be found at www.tenniscanada.com.

El Tabakh crowned doubles champion in Winnipeg

Heidi El Tabakh of Toronto, along with her doubles partner
Allie Kiick, won the tightly contested doubles championship
match at the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

The singles field at the CIBC Woody Gundy Challenger was narrowed to two following semifinal action at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday, while Canadian Heidi El Tabakh (Toronto) was crowned doubles champion of the $25K ITF Pro Circuit event alongside American partner Allie Kiick.

The unseeded team of El Tabakh and Kiick, who upset both the No. 3 and No. 1-seeded duos to reach the final, overcame British pair Samantha Murray and Jade Windley in a close 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 battle to earn the first-year tournament’s maiden trophy. The victory gives El Tabakh, who currently does not hold a doubles ranking, her first doubles title since 2010.

In singles action, Murray was able to come out on the winning side, as she bested Japan’s Nao Hibino 6-4, 6-3. The No. 3 seed will take on countrywoman and top seed Johanna Konta for the championship. For her part, Konta ousted No. 4 Risa Ozaki of Japan by a tidy score line of 6-3, 6-1.

Both Konta and Murray – who have never played each other before – have enjoyed strong weeks at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club. World No. 140 Konta has not lost a set all week though, while No. 234-ranked Murray has faced a couple tough matches, including a third-set tiebreaker victory in the first round over Canadian Elisabeth Fournier. Both finalists will be looking for their first title of the 2013 season.

The all-Brit final will take place on Sunday at 12 noon local time. Admission is free. Fans can also follow live scoring of the final from www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, please visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

See also photos of doubles championship match

Semifinals set at Winnipeg Challenger

Carol Zhao (CAN) battles Risa Ozaki (JPN) at the
2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

The courts at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club are dry once again after rain washed out Thursday’s order of play, as Friday’s clear blue skies allowed both the second round and quarter-finals to wrap up, seeing four players move on the semifinals at the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, a $25K ITF Pro Circuit event in Winnipeg.

The last Canadian standing in the tournament, wild card entry Carol Zhao, came back from a set down and held a 4-2 lead in the third set against No. 4 seed Risa Ozaki of Japan, but was not able to hold on as she was eliminated 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round. Ozaki then moved on to the quarter-finals, where she faced compatriot Akiko Omae and came out on top 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

Picking up where they left off Thursday at 7-5, 1-2, No. 3 seed Samantha Murray of Great Britain finished off her second-round match against Japan’s Riko Awaynagi 7-5, 6-3. Murray then faced No. 8 Naomi Broady in the quarter-finals, and after dropping the first set to her compatriot, was able to come back and pull out her second win of the day 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

No. 2 seed Olivia Rogowska of Australia also played two matches, first defeating Austria’s Nicole Rottman 6-0, 6-1, before being ousted by Japanese Nao Hibino in the quarter-finals 2-6, 6-0, 6-4.

Finally, the tournament’s top seed, Johanna Konta, defeated Slovakian Lenka Wienerova in two quick sets, 6-0, 6-1. She moved on to face Miharu Imanishi of Japan in the quarter-finals, where she triumphed 6-0, 7-6(3).

The semifinals will pit Murray against Hibino, and Konta versus Ozaki.

In doubles, the field has been narrowed to two teams. Canadian Heidi El Tabakh and her partner Allie Kiick of the United States upset the No. 1 duo Broady and Rogowska 6-2, 7-5 on Friday to reach the final. They will face Brits Murray and Jade Windley in Saturday’s championship match.

Admission to the tournament is free. Tennis fans located across the country can follow the live scoring at www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

Quarter-finals in sight for Winnipeg participants

Great Britain's Naomi Broady battled in a closely contested
three set match against Aki Yamasoto of Japan to advance
to the quarter-finals of the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

As Wednesday’s matches wrap up at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, four players have secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, a $25K ITF Pro Circuit event in Winnipeg.

Despite dropping the first set, No. 8 seed Naomi Broady of Great Britain was able to eliminate Aki Yamasoto of Japan 5-7, 7-5, 6-4. She will face either No. 3-seeded compatriot Samantha Murray or Japan’s Riko Sawayanagi in the next round.

In an all-Japanese contest, Misa Eguchi was defeated by Nao Hibino 6-2, 6-4, who will now prepare to take on the winner of Thursday’s second-round battle between Austrian Nicole Rottmann and No. 2 seed Olivia Rogowska of Australia.

Great Britain’s Jade Windley, who upset top-seeded Canadian Heidi El Tabakh in the first round, was ousted by Japanese competitor Akiko Omae 7-6(4), 6-4. Omae will next face either countrywoman, No. 4 seed Risa Ozaki, or Canadian Carol Zhao for a spot in the semifinals.

Finally, a lower back injury caused American Caitlin Whoriskey to withdraw prior to her second-round match, securing Japan’s Mirahu Imanishi a spot in the quarter-finals where she could potentially play the tournament’s top seed, Brit Johanna Konta.

To see which players will round out the quarter-final field in Thursday’s action, be sure to follow the live-scoring of all matches at www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, please visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

Zhao advances at Winnipeg Challenger

Canadian Carol Zhao got off to a good start
at the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

The first round of the inaugural CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger has come to a close, with Canadian Carol Zhao picking up a victory in Tuesday action at the $25K ITF Pro Circuit event taking place at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.

In the tournament’s first all-Canadian contest, Zhao took on Wendy Qi-Wen Zhang. After an exciting tiebreaker in the first set ended in Zhao’s favor, she took the momentum into the second set and was able to secure a 7-6(2), 6-4 win to send her into the next round.

Canada’s top-seeded player, Heidi El Tabakh, was upset by Englishwoman Jade Windley. Windley dominated the first set, and although No. 5 seed El Tabakh was able to step it up in the second, she was unable to prevail as she lost 6-0, 7-5.

After dropping the first set against No. 3 seed Samantha Murray of Great Britain, Canadian Elisabeth Fournier held three match points in the third set before Murray pushed the match into a deciding third-set tiebreaker. Falling behind 1-6 in the breaker, Fournier reeled off the next four points but could not complete the comeback as she fell 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5).

Marie-Alexandre Leduc was the third Canadian of the day who was eliminated at the hands of a Brit after dropping a 6-4, 7-5 decision to Naomi Broady. Fellow Canuck Gloria Liang took on Risa Ozaki of Japan, but fell to the No. 4-seeded player in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Ozaki’s compatriot, Riko Sawayanagi, also ousted Canadian Sonja Molar 6-4, 6-2.

One more Canadian was set to play Tuesday evening in Winnipeg, with qualifier Petra Januskova taking on No. 2 seed Olivia Rogowska of Australia.

Tennis fans located outside of Winnipeg can follow the live scoring of the tournament at www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

Lee serves up Wheat City sweep

Article courtesy of the Brandon Sun.

Brandonite Gilbert Lee was a double winner in the Wheat City Tennis Championships on the weekend.

Lee won the men’s 4.5 singles title in the Tennis Manitoba sanctioned event with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over fellow Brandonite Kit Harrison, then teamed up with Harrison to win the doubles title, 6-2, 6-2 over the Brandon team of James Mulholland and Simon Stower.

Tournament results at tc.tournamentsoftware.com

Shaw TV Winnipeg visits the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger

Shaw TV Winnipeg: It's the first women's professional tennis tournament to come to Winnipeg since 2000, and rankings points to enter WTA tour events are on the line, not to mention the $25,000 prize purse!

For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, please visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

First Round Begins at Inaugural Winnipeg Challenger

Canadian player Marie-Alexandre Leduc prepares for
main draw action which will start for her on Tuesday
at the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

Day one of main draw singles action has wrapped up at the first annual CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, a $25,000 women’s ITF Pro Circuit event in Winnipeg, with some young Canadian players finding tough competition in their international opponents on Monday.

After playing her way past fellow Canadian Maria Patrascu and Emi Mutaguchi of Japan in the qualifying rounds, 14-year-old Rosie Johanson of British Columbia performed admirably before being eliminated in the first round of the main draw by Japanese Misa Eguchi 7-5, 7-5.

Erin Routliffe (Caledon, Ont.) also entered the main draw thanks to success in qualifying, and after dropping the first set to American Caitlin Whoriskey, she was able to come back and force a third set before ultimately falling 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Things were no better for 16-year-old Alexis Prokopuik (North Vancouver), who entered the main draw as a wild card. Prokopuik faced the more experienced Akiko Omae of Japan, and was ousted after losing the match 6-2, 6-0.

Despite dropping three players in the first day of action, Canadians still have hope in their eight other participants who entered the main draw of the $25K tournament, including No. 5 seed Heidi El Tabakh of Toronto, who will take on England’s Jade Windley in the first round on Tuesday.

While tennis fans in Winnipeg can attend matches free of charge at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, viewers at home can follow the live scoring of their favorite Canadian players at www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, please visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

Pro tennis returns to Winnipeg

Heidi El Tabakh is the top ranked Canadian, and 5th seed
in the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger.
(Photo courtesy of Tennis Canada)

Article courtesy of Tennis Canada

The inaugural CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, an ITF Pro Circuit event taking place at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club from July 20 to 28, is getting ready to hit its first ball. Added to the Canadian professional calendar this year, the $25K Challenger has become the sixth pro-level women’s event in the country in 2013, and the first in Winnipeg since 2000.

The top-ranked Canadian in the main draw will be Toronto’s Heidi El Tabakh. Holding a No. 262 world ranking, the Egyptian-born El Tabakh took home two titles from Jackson and Pelham in 2012 after not wining any since 2009. Recently, she made the quarter-finals at three Challengers in a row – Sacramento, Las Cruces, and El Paso.

While El Tabakh is the only Canadian who received direct entry into the main draw, a few others will be receiving wild cards into the event. Sonja Molnar, Wendy Zhang, and Carol Zhao will take their places in the main draw, while 22-year old Elisabeth Fournier, who recently participated in the main draws at the Granby and Waterloo Challengers, could be joining them. Several others will try to earn a spot through the qualifying tournament.

Seeded No. 1 will be England’s Johanna Konta. Ranked world No. 139 and coached by Canada’s own Louis Cayer, Konta won her last title at Rancho Mirage in 2012 and made it to the semifinals at Nottingham in early June. Also from the UK is No. 3 Samantha Murray, who earned her sole title at Glasgow in 2012, but is still alive in the $25K Granby event in Quebec taking place this week – she will play her semifinal match on Saturday. Seeded between the two Brits is Australian Olivia Rogowska, who won her ninth title at Burnie early in 2013 and also made it to the quarter-finals at Granby.

On top of the exciting draw that will be played out over the week, the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger will also be hosting social events like the Sharon Pollock Classic Tennis and Fashion show on Monday July 22, with all proceeds benefiting cancer research and patient support. A Kids Zone with tennis equipment will also be provided for younger spectators.

General admission to the first annual CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger is free, but spectators are able to purchase lounge seats during the semifinals for $15 or during the final for $20. Fans outside of Winnipeg can follow live scoring of matches at www.tenniscanada.com. For more information on the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger, please visit www.winnipegchallenger.com.

Kylar wins Manitoba Clay Court Championships

Taylor Tennis hosted the 2013 Manitoba Clay Court Championships
(Photo: TM archives)

Congrats to Kevin Kylar, men's open winner at the 2013 Manitoba Clay Court Championships hosted by Taylor Tennis. Patrick Fu took the men's 4.5 singles event, and Young Hong the men's 3.5 singles. Dong Won Kang and his partner Glen Ziprick were victorious in capturing the men's 4.5 doubles title.

Complete tournament results are available at tc.tournamentsoftware.com.

Next up on the Tennis Manitoba Open Tour are the 2013 Wheat City Tennis Championships being held in Brandon, Manitoba. The online entry closes on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM. To register for the tournament, click here.

Kids tennis development camp coming to Winnipeg

Tennis Manitoba is hosting a two day advanced tennis development camp for children 10 years of age and under which will take place at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, July 22-23. The camp is intended for children previously exposed to the sport, who can rally on a full size court. The sessions will be led by two of Canada's leading experts in junior tennis player development. There is no fee for participants.

For additional details, please contact Tennis Manitoba at (204) 925-5660.

> Contact Tennis Manitoba

Manitoba's top point earners to be recognized

Tennis Manitoba will recognize the 2012 tournament points leaders when the tennis community gathers for the semi-finals of the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger on Saturday, July 27th at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.

The 2012 points race winners are:

Junior Tour
  Girls U18: Emily Fridrik / Kylie Waschuk
  Girls U16: Chantel Wallack
  Girls U14: Hannah Blatt
  Girls U12: Mackenzie Miller
  Boys U18: Kevin Kylar
  Boys U16: Patrick Fu
  Boys U14: David Krowiak
  Boys U12: David Krowiak

Open Tour
Singles
  Women's: Kylie Waschuk
  Men's: Saul Shrom
Doubles
  Women's: Emily Fridrik / Kylie Waschuk
  Men's: Saul Shrom

4.5
Singles
  Women's: Ilena Ursatantu
  Men's: Patrick Fu
Doubles
  Men's: Todd Vandal / Mark Vandal
  Mixed: Edmundo Filoteo / Eunice Filoteo

3.5
  Men's Singles: Joe Cyr

For a complete listing of ranking results visit www.tennismanitoba.com

See also...
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Event Schedule
> Sharon Pollack Classic Tennis & Fashion Show
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Local Qualifying
> Women's professional tennis tournament set for inaugural year in Winnipeg
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger web site

Sharon Pollack Classic Tennis & Fashion Show

You're invited to the Sharon Pollack Classic Tennis & Fashion Show, benefiting cancer research and patient support services through CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. The event takes place Monday, July 22 as part of the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, 761 North Drive, Winnipeg, MB.

The evening includes tennis games for players of all levels, complimentary hors d'oeuvers, and caps off with a fashion show on the stadium court. The admission is $75, and includes a partial tax receipt. 

Purchase tickets or make a donation online at www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca or contact Tennis Manitoba.

See also...
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Event Schedule
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Local Qualifying
> Women's professional tennis tournament set for inaugural year in Winnipeg
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger web site

CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Event Schedule

The CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger will be an action packed week of high level competition and celebration of tennis in Winnipeg, which includes:

• July 18-19: Manitoba Qualifying Rounds
• July 20-21: ITF Qualifying Rounds
• July 22: Start of Main Draw
• July 22: Sharon Pollack Classic: Tennis & Fashion Show
• July 24: CIBC Wood Gundy Client Night
• July 26-28: Manitoba Team Tennis Finals
• July 26: Singles Quarter Finals / Doubles Finals
• July 27: Singles Semi-Finals
• July 28: Singles Finals

This is the inaugural year of the International Tennis Federation Pro-Circuit event for women, and will be hosted at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.

See also...
> New tennis tourney starting in Winnipeg
> Women's professional tennis tournament set for inaugural year in Winnipeg
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger web site

CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Local Qualifying

The 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger is quickly approaching and local female tennis players have a shot to play with the pros. A local qualifying event takes place on July 18th and 19th at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, with the winner receiving a wildcard spot into the 2013 CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger Qualifying Rounds.

Local qualifying match times will depend on the size of the draw, and will be held during the evenings. The tournament format is a single elimination, with an entry fee of $40. Online registration is available at tc.tournamentsoftware.com.

See also...
> Women's professional tennis tournament set for inaugural year in Winnipeg
> CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger web site