Johannesburg – The Wimbledon tennis fever has hit the City of Gold as over 600 tennis players from across the country have arrived in Johannesburg on Monday to participate in the Dunlop Classic which takes place from 5 – 9 July.
The annual tournament is the Gauteng Central Tennis Association’s premier junior event and has a TSA Series status and is part of Tennis South Africa’s (TSA) premier junior series, making it one of the most prestigious junior tennis events in the country. One of the strongest line-ups of players has confirmed their entry for the 2016 event.
Boys, girls, men and women in the under 10, 12, 14, 16 and Senior age categories, will compete in the gold and platinum draws at different tennis clubs throughout the City of Joburg as well as at Gauteng Central Tennis Association’s headquarters, the famous “grand of lady” of tennis the Ellis Park Tennis Stadium. Other tennis clubs being used are Marks Park, Linden and Penrose.
Bruce Gray, President of Gauteng Central Tennis Association says his Association is ready to deliver a great event. “We are excited at hosting another edition of the Dunlop Classic. The tournament has proved to be a success in the past and together with our sponsors, Dunlop, we are looking to make this our flagship tournament of the year.”
BRAND-ID Marketing Director, Steve Gallienne said that his company’s brand, Dunlop is happy to be part of the tournament. “We are delighted to be associated with an event boasting the cream of South Africa’s junior tennis players. As one of the world’s leading brands, we continue to commit ourselves to the development of tennis in our country especially at grassroots level”, he said.
Gallienne also said that the timing of the tournament was appropriate as it was being played during the second week of Wimbledon. “Tennis is the hot talking point right now with Wimbledon on the go in London, so let’s say that in Joburg we will be having our “Mini Wimbledon” on the go during the greatest tennis show on earth.”
