ATP Challenger tournament forced to relocate indoors after rain
On Sunday morning, the ATP Challenger tournament in Singapore was forced to change venues as an attempt to thwart inclement weather. The entire tournament was hastily shifted from Kallang tennis centre to the Singapore Island Country,
putting the organizers in a tight spot.
This tournament is one of the most anticipated sports events to be held in Singapore; it marks the return of professional tennis to the country after a hiatus of ten years. However, despite the immense amount of planning which
went into the event, organizers found themselves in a tricky situation after unremitting rain struck the open tennis centre.
The ATP Challenger was hurriedly relocated to the Singapore Island Country; however, the organizers were not quick enough, with several of Saturday’s matches being postponed to Sunday as a result of the turbulent weather.
Despite the last minute change of address, the men’s doubles title match was played in front of an enthusiastic (albeit small) crowd. American top seeds David Martin and Scott Lipsky were able to take away the title in three sets
(5-7, 6-1, 10-8), defeating crowd favourites Sancha and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand.
Unfortunately, the men’s singles final was rescheduled for Monday morning due to the unavailability of playing space at the Singapore Island Country. In spite of this, the response to this year’s ATP Challenger has been overall
positive. Organizers are already planning a 2012 run, possibly with a covered tennis court.
Kenneth Low, managing director of Sports Management Group, says, “It’s been in our discussion with Singapore Tennis Association that we stage one tennis professional event per year and one exhibition a year. We are right now going
out, talking to sponsors, looking at the interest level and hopefully we can do a good show in Singapore end of the year.”
The sport seems to have been readily embraced by locals, as made evident by the ticket sales. Sixty percent of the tickets for the semi-finals and final were immediately snapped up, and tournament organizers offered a refund to
fans who were unable to make it to the replacement courts. On the whole, this year’s ATP Challenger in Singapore can be looked upon as a success.
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