ERSA Pro Stringer Magazine 10 - 2018 prostringer 10 -2018 web | Page 12

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INDUSTRY NEWS
Tennis Europe to crown
Men’s and Women’s
European Champions
For the first time, European Championship titles
will be awarded to men and women. The 2019
winners of a top-level professional tournament at a
major venue will be crowned European
Champions.
In addition, the European Tennis Federation has
revealed plans for a brand-new European Cham-
pionshipevent for players aged 21 & Under. The draws will be comprised of players nominated by
Tennis Europe’s 50 constituent national tennis associations.
Tennis Europe CEO Thomas Hammerl announced thenews at the Tennis Europe Top Executives’
Meeting, saying; “This is an important step for us as we look to build on our existing tournament
portfolio and provide new opportunities for players from our member nations. We are planning a
festival of tennis during which European men’s and women’s champions are crowned.
We will also host a series of side-events which will provide the Presidents and staff from our
nations a chance to work together while supporting their most promisingnext generation players at
back-to-back major events.”
Tennis Europe currently administers over 1,200 tennis events across the continent each year, from
the Tennis Europe Junior Tour to ITF World Tennis Tour and Senior Circuit tournaments. Until now,
European Championship events have been held for junior players aged 14, 16 and 18 & Under
(and feature over 20 current and former world #1s amongst the former champions),
and seniors aged 35 & Over to 85 & Over. The new announcement completes the portfolio of Euro-
pean titles.
Further details of the new events, including the dates and venue, will be announced soon.
Fast Facts from the European Tennis Report
The European nation with most tennis clubs (Germany) has more clubs within its territory than
40 of the remaining 49 Tennis Europe member nations combined.
Six nations – France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Russia – each account for over
10% of the total number of European players.
A total of over €155.7 million was distributed in prize money in 2017 at professional tennis
events in Europe.
Switzerland leads Europe in terms of tennis players as a percentage of total population, with 7%
of the populace picking up a racquet twice a year or more. France, Spain, Belgium and Monaco
follow close behind.
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ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 9-2018