A new professional women’s tennis tournament will make its debut in Winnipeg this summer.
Tennis Canada and Tennis Manitoba announced the CIBC Wood Gundy Challenger on Tuesday. The International Tennis Federation-sanctioned event on the ITF Pro Circuit will be held July 21-28 at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.
“Winnipeg is an emerging tennis market, and this event will provide local fans with a great chance to see some talented professionals up close. It also will offer Canadian women another valuable opportunity to earn rankings points and ply their craft against top international players on home soil,” said Gavin Ziv, director of national events for Tennis Canada.
The tournament will be a first for Winnipeg since the professional-level women’s tournament in 2000. Total prize money during the tournament will be $25,000.
Prior to the official start of the event, a local women’s qualifier will take place July 18-20 to give players from Manitoba a chance to compete for a spot in the tournament. Qualifying action will then occur July 21 and 22, with main draw action commencing on July 23 and a champion crowned on July 28. Admission to the tournament is free all week.
