On the eve of the latest ITF Women’s Pro Circuit tournament at Thanyapura Phuket, the active healthy lifestyle resort has been named Asia’s best tennis school and one of the world’s top 50 tennis resorts in a readers’ survey by Tennis Resorts Online.
From July 12-26, the Chang SAT ITF Women’s Pro Circuit 2014 returns to Thanyapura, with two one-week tournaments running consecutively, each offering USD25,000 in prize money. Phuket Vice Governor Dr. Sommai Preechasilpa will preside over the opening ceremony on July 15 at 9.30-10.00am followed by the opening game played by No. 1 seeded of Thai tennis player.
Amongst the international main draw players lining-up are Noppawan ‘Nok’ Lertcheewakarn #215 and Nicha ‘If’ Lertpitaksinchai #330, are amongst the team players for the Federation Cup Thailand. Below is the list of international main players:
Erika SEMA (JPN) #178
Su Jeong JANG (KOR) #214
Chanel SIMMONDS (RSA) #223
Yung-Jan CHAN (TPE) #245
Yurika SEMA (JPN) #252
Doroteja ERIC (SRB) #254
Ling ZHANG (HKG) #259
Kai-Chen CHANG (TPE) #272
Constance SIRILLE (FRA) #273
Yi-Fan XU (CHN) #285
Mari TANAKA (JPN) #303
Zuzana ZLOCHOVA (SVK) #308
Elise MERTENS (BEL) #311
Lena-Marie HOFMANN (GER) #312
Junri NAMIGATA (JPN) #337
Jia-Jing LU (CHN) #341
Polina LEYKINA (RUS) #346
Ling Zhang, Hong Kong, no.259.
The best tennis school and top resort awards are the latest in a cavalcade of international acclaim for Thanyapura, and yet another endorsement that its ground-breaking approach to sport, health, wellness and education are working, not least in the world of tennis.
Tennis Programme Director Roger Cochrane said Thanyapura now frequently hosts regional and international tennis tournaments and welcomes teams and players from around the world coming to train. Earlier this year Thanyapura hosted a Davis Cup tie between Thailand and Hong Kong, when the event had to be shifted from the trouble-hit capital at short notice.
It’s probably no coincidence that being voted ‘best tennis school’ follows the recent establishment of the Thanyapura Elite Junior Sport Academies,” said Mr Cochrane.
Nicha ‘If’ Lertpitaksinchai, Thailand, number 330.
These academies aimed at fostering the talents of exceptional young tennis players, triathletes and swimmers offer an array of the finest sporting facilities in Asia and the cream of trainers and coaches, all specialists in their chosen fields, combined with outstanding educational opportunities at the Phuket International Academy, a full International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering full board and week-day boarding options open to students aged 13-18 years.
Mr Cochrane has over 16 years of worldwide tennis coaching experience, having worked in tennis programs in Canada, the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East. His ability to find the best in everyone’s tennis game resulted in being selected as the PBI 2006 Professional of the Year.
Thanyapura Executive Chairman Chris McCormack said he was delighted for Thanyapura to be recognised at such a high level for its tennis excellence, which had been an area of great focus and hard work.
“It’s an honour to receive such a prestigious award, especially because it was voted by the public,” said Mr McCormack, a four-time triathlon world champion.