ITF Beach Tennis Tour underway
The inaugural tournament on the 2008 ITF Beach Tennis Tour
got underway in Rome yesterday. The two-week tournament features
players from Italy, Belgium, Spain and San Marino and takes
place on a man-made beach tennis court at the Foro Italico
alongside the ATP Tour Masters Series and Tier I WTA Tour
events.
Total prize money of €25,000 is on offer to the participants
in the men’s and women’s doubles competitions,
one of the largest ever prize money pots for a beach tennis
tournament. Participants will also earn ranking points towards
their ITF Beach Tennis world ranking.
The highlight of the season will be the European Team Championships
in August, which will take place in Riccione, Italy. Last
year’s Championships was dominated by the Italian team,
but the defending champions can expect a strong challenge
from 2007 finalists Belgium, as well as teams from Germany
and Portugal.
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