The 17th Uniqlo International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament has stormed into Sri Lanka, serving up one of the biggest prize pools in the nation’s tennis history. With a total purse of US$ 3,000, the event is backed by the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), who has contributed US$ 9,000 in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA). The high-stakes tournament not only offers financial rewards but also serves as a critical gateway to the BNP Paribas World Team Cup, the pinnacle of wheelchair tennis.
In all there will be four wheelchair tennis tournaments to be conducted during these three weeks. Top-ranked players from South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, France, Australia and India stepping on to the courts, Sri Lanka finds itself at the heart of a fierce battle where every match could be a turning point.
The first competition, kicked off on Tuesday, February 11, at the Negombo Tennis Club courts finished on Friday (14).
The Colombo Open will be held from February 16 to 19 with the players moving to the SLTA courts in Colombo.
Thereafter, the Sri Lanka Open will take centre stage will be held from February 21 to 24 at the SLTA courts.
These tournaments will end with the high-stakes BNP Paribas World Team Cup Asian Qualifier from February 26 to March 2 at the SLTA courts in Colombo 7.
Sri Lanka’s wheelchair tennis players have often excelled in foreign tournaments as well. This time they are not backing down from the challenges expected in these tournament as well.
Under the guidance of coach Sanka Athukorale, the nation’s top-ranked players Suresh Dharmasena and Gamini Dissanayake are leading the charge. With six local players in the draw, the home team is ready to go the distance against some of the best in Asia.
