The inaugural international beach tennis tournament in Hong Kong, approved by the sport’s worldwide regulatory authority, commenced on Friday, featuring participants from 28 different countries, drawing parallels to the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s famous rugby sevens event.
The organizers aim for the inaugural event in Discovery Bay to spark enthusiasm for an accelerated version of a classic sport and serve as a launchpad for hosting more prestigious International Tennis Federation (ITF) competitions.
Arnault Brac de la Perriere, who unofficially holds the title of the city’s top figure, facilitated the establishment of the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour in Hong Kong. According to him, their objective was to create an event with some of the festive spirit and ease of access associated with the abbreviated version of rugby, similar to what had been witnessed just days before at the Hong Kong Sevens held at Kai Tak Stadium.
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He mentioned, 'The happiness people experience is akin to attending a Rugby Sevens tournament,' adding that it involves hosting the event at a stadium with festivities and top athletes participating from around the globe.
Securing this event took three years of effort, with the ultimate aim of introducing a Grand Slam tournament to our city, explained Brac de la Perriere, originally from the Indian Ocean island of Réunion but has been residing in Hong Kong for two decades now.
On the opening day, it was a BT10 event—the entry-level competition designed for newcomers and amateur players. Professional gamers will join on Saturday to compete in the BT50 tournament, with a top prize of US$4,000 awaiting the victor.
A total of 140 participants have signed up, representing 28 different countries, including five who are ranked within the top 100 globally. Notable competitors include men’s world No. 35 Niklass Andersons from Latvia and women’s world No. 34 Erina Otsuka from Japan.
The BT50 event kicks off at 8 am on Saturday, featuring the initial round, followed by the subsequent rounds and quarters. The semifinals are set for 9 am on Sunday, succeeded by the finals which will commence at 2 pm.
Brac de la Perriere mentioned he anticipated over 200 individuals would attend to view the final segments.
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