Victoria’s summer of tennis will roll into February next year when Geelong Lawn Tennis Club hosts a Davis Cup tie between Australia and China.
Premier Ted Baillieu said the news that Tennis Australia has awarded the prestigious Davis Cup tie to Geelong recognised the importance of regional Victoria in boosting Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s leading state for major and sporting events.
“This is a great major sporting event coup for Geelong – Davis Cup ties are keenly sought after by cities around Australia and I’m delighted that Tennis Australia has awarded this event to the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, Australia’s oldest regional tennis club,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Hosting the Davis Cup tie will bring jobs and a big economic boost to the Geelong region, with local businesses to benefit from visitors staying in Geelong’s hotels, eating in local restaurants and enjoying all that the region has to offer,” Mr Baillieu said.
“China is second only to New Zealand for inbound tourism to Victoria, and the Davis Cup tie will promote the Geelong region in this growing market,” Mr Baillieu added.
The Davis Cup tie between Australia and China will be the first tie played in Australia next year and the first step on the path towards a potential World Group Play-off event that will decide who will enter the Davis Cup World Group in 2013.
“Geelong has a proud history of hosting major events and the Davis Cup tie will now sit alongside world class events such as the 2010 UCI Road World Cycling Championships as well as the annual Festival of Sails and biennial Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport,” Mr Baillieu said.
Australian Davis Cup Captain Pat Rafter said the Australian team was looking forward to heading to Geelong.
“Our planning has already started for this tie and we are hellbent on playing well and winning,” Mr Rafter said.
“The boys really enjoy playing on grass and are keen to get on the local courts as early as we can.
“We always get great support when we go to regional centres and we will be keen to give the people of Geelong a good look at some top-class Davis Cup tennis.”
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell said Geelong – as a proven major events city – was the perfect choice to host the Davis Cup Group One tie between Australia and the People’s Republic of China.
“Geelong’s events record is the envy of cities Australia-wide, having hosted international events such as Rescue 2006 World Lifesaving Championships along with annual national events such as the National Celtic Festival and the Head of Schoolgirls Rowing regatta,” Cr Mitchell said.
“Geelong not only has the quality sports facilities that elite level event organisers are looking for, it’s a beautiful city for spectators to visit with a host of attractions, accommodation and restaurants in easy proximity to the city centre.”
Liberal Member for Western Victoria David Koch congratulated the Coalition Government and Geelong Lawn Tennis for their tireless efforts to secure this major tennis tournament against stiff competition from across Australia.
“This is a wonderful event for Geelong, which is well-placed to hold this prestigious tournament,” Mr Koch said.
“Having this Davis Cup tournament in Geelong following the Australian Open caps off a long list of international sporting events and reinforces Geelong’s enviable capacity to tick all the boxes in hosting these events.
“This is a fantastic outcome by the Victorian Coalition Government and well done to Geelong for being able to host this international event.”
The Davis Cup tie between Australia and China will be held at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club from 10 to 12 February 2012.
Links
- Davis Cup website: http://www.daviscup.com/en/home.aspx
- Tennis Australia website: http://www.tennis.com.au/
- Geelong Lawn Tennis Club website: http://www.geelonglawntc.com.au/
