MONTREAL, January 30, 2018 (Press Release)
Tennis Canada and National Bank announced on Tuesday the launch of a new men’s professional tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour in Calgary. Sanctioned by the ATP, the tournament which offers $75,000 U.S. in total prize money and hospitality to the players, will be held from October 13-21, 2018 at the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre.
“We are very proud to announce the addition of the Calgary National Bank Challenger to our calendar,” stated Gavin Ziv, Vice-President, Professional and National Events at Tennis Canada. “Calgary is an emerging tennis market, especially with the opening of the new Tennis Centre. We are pleased to offer more and more professional tournaments on Canadian soil. These tournaments give our players the chance to accumulate important points in the rankings and to compete against international players without having to leave the country.”
The Calgary National Bank Challenger joins a series of tournaments on the Challenger Tour sponsored by National Bank. Calgary joins a list that already includes tournaments in Drummondville, Gatineau, Granby, Saguenay and Winnipeg.
“The Bank is pleased to partner up with the new Calgary Challenger and increase its involvement in developing tennis nationally. The Challenger will put on a good show for local tennis enthusiasts and generate positive economic benefits. It’s great news for the region and we’re proud to be a part of it,” stated Yann Jodoin, Senior Vice-President – Marketing at National Bank.
Calgary was already hosting a professional event, the Men’s Futures tournament since 2013, but the arrival of the National Bank Challenger will help to further the development of tennis in the province of Alberta. The new OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre opened its doors in 2016 and last year, the Davis Cup play-off between Canada and India was held in Edmonton.
“We look forward to showcasing the best up and coming players on the ATP World Tour,” stated Danny Da Costa, General Manager of OSTEN and VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre and Tournament director. “We are confident that hosting the Calgary National Bank Challenger will create opportunities to grow tennis participation in Calgary but also in the province of Alberta. This event will also inspire a new generation of Canadian tennis players.”
This announcement has been well received by the Canadian players who will have another opportunity to play at home.
“This is obviously good news for all of our young Canadian players. It is actually thanks to the National Bank Challengers that I was able to make my debut on the professional circuit,” commented Félix Auger-Aliassime.
“I am excited about the prospect of playing in this tournament. I have always had good experiences playing tournaments in Calgary and I am looking forward to being able to play on the courts at the new Tennis Centre,” stated Filip Peliwo.
