World Tennis Tour Countdown Is On As Top Stars Return

Timaru’s Trust Aoraki Tennis Centre is once again being transformed into an international tennis venue, as some of the best up and coming talent from the World Tennis Tour heads to town from 9-15 March.

After winning global recognition as one of the best events on the tour by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the event has once again attracted a strong lineup of players from a diverse range of countries.

Leading the women’s field is world #157 Despina Papamichail from Greece. Lithuanian Justina Mikulskyte, Japan’s Kyoka Okamura, and Haruka Kaji, ranked at #248, #298, and #302 respectively, round out the projected top four seeds.

The projected fifth seed is Australian Destanee Aiava, who recently made global headlines after announcing her retirement at age 25. Last year Aiava was the talk of the early Australian Open rounds, making it to the third round at her home slam defeating 10th seed Danielle Collins.

New Zealand #2 Monique Barry leads the Kiwis in the women’s draw, with fellow New Zealand representatives Aishi Das and Jade Otway vying for a place in the main draw.

In the men’s tournament, last year’s runner-up Yu Hsiou Hsu from Taipei returns as the highest ranked player at #221. Five Australians and three Japanese players round out the top nine, with rankings that range from #375 to #551. These players include 2024 EVES Open Tauranga Champion Moerani Bouzige, and 2025 Bayleys Open Hamilton runner-up Tai Sach, plus Australia’s Li Tu, Omar Jasika, Jake Delaney, and Japan’s Hiroki Moriya, Ryuki Matsuda, and Kokoro Isomura.

Ajeet Rai leads the New Zealand men’s contingent, fresh from his contribution to the triumphant New Zealand Davis Cup team, who have qualified for a huge World Group I clash with Japan later in the year after a 3-2 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Whangarei two weeks ago. An exciting group of young New Zealand players are vying for the all-important wildcards, including Matthew Browning, Finn Emslie-Robson, Cody Atkinson, and Dan Milburn.

Tennis South Canterbury General Manager Peter Burt says the community is already feeling the buzz of the event.

“Tennis is in a really strong position here in South Canterbury, with player numbers up and a real interest in our game once again. Having the World Tennis Tour back is so exciting. After receiving the Recognition Award from the ITF for our inaugural event, we’re determined to go even bigger this year. Get in now and grab your tickets for finals weekend because they won’t last long!”

World Tennis Tour Timaru is free to attend from Monday 9th March to Friday 13th, with ticketed sessions for finals weekend on Saturday 14th March and Sunday 15th March. Corporate boxes have officially sold out. Ticket sales and event info can be found at: www.tennis.kiwi/timaru.

© Scoop Media