Palm Beach County to Host ITF Senior World Championships

Palm Beach County will be home to the world’s largest amateur tennis tournament.  The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that it will bring its ITF Senior World Championships to Palm Beach County from April 21-May 4, 2014 with team competition - April 21-26 followed by Individual matches April 27- May 4.

The United States Tennis Association, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and Triosports  International, a Palm Beach County based sports production firm, are partnering to host one of the most prestigious international tennis events in the United States for only the third time in the past 15 years.  The only other American cities to host the ITF Senior World Championships were San Diego in 2012 and Ft. Lauderdale in 2002.  In order to accommodate the influx of global tennis players that will compete in Palm Beach County, 8 different tennis facilities consisting of 110 total clay courts will be utilized.

The ITF Senior World Championships, which includes individual and team championship divisions for men and women, will attract over 1,600 athletes and more than 3,000 worldwide visitors from 38 different countries.  The event is divided into the age categories of 35, 40, 45, 50 and over 55.  The Team Championships will commence play on April 21 and conclude on April 27.  The Individual Championships will begin on April 28 and conclude on May 4.  Palm Beach County will be transformed into the center of the tennis universe with approximately 850 tennis matches taking place during the team competition and 1,500 matches during the individual competition.

The ITF Senior World Championships will bring widespread impact to Palm Beach County.  The event is expected to generate over $2.5 million of direct visitor spending and between 4,000 and 5,000 hotel room nights, countywide.  “We’re delighted that eight outstanding tennis facilities in Palm Beach County have been selected as venues for this 15-day marquee event. These elite tennis facilities include BallenIsles Country Club, serving as the host site in North County, Mirasol Country Club, PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center, Polo Club of Boca Raton, serving as the host site in South County, Boca West Country Club, Boca Grove Country Club and Woodfield Country Club,” said George Linley, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “We believe the potential economic impact for the County could exceed $2.5 million.”

Countries can nominate teams of up to four players in the ITF Senior World Championships, which, since its inception in 1981, has grown in the number of participating competitors every year.  “This is the highest ranked event on the ITF Seniors Circuit for male and female players in the age categories of 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55, and more than 1600 players from more than 38 different countries will be competing for the coveted title of world champion in their respective individual and team age categories,” said BallenIsles Tennis Director and Tournament Chairperson, Trish Faulkner. “As one of the largest international amateur events in the world, the ITF Senior World Championships will bring international visitors and press attention to South Florida while attracting local tennis enthusiasts and club members from surrounding country clubs and resorts. Businesses or organizations looking for high visibility and exceptional exposure for their brand, from consumers in an affluent local, national and international demographic, can choose from a number of outstanding sponsorship opportunities,” Faulkner added.

In addition to the significant economic benefits, the ITF Senior World Championships will bring Palm Beach County immense exposure across the global tennis community.   Very few destinations have had the privilege of presenting the ITF Senior World Championships and Palm Beach County’s position as an elite destination for tennis will be significantly enhanced by hosting the event.  This event will boost an impressive portfolio of tennis events for Palm Beach County, which includes an ATP World Tour event, the Davis Cup and Fed Cup, and exclusive collection of amateur championship events sanctioned by the USTA. 

For more information, visit the International Tennis Federation website at www.itftennis,com.

Below is a summary of previous hosts for the ITF Senior World Championships:

2014:            Palm Beach County, FL (United States)
2013:            Antalya, Turkey
2012:            San Diego, CA (United States)
2011:            Christchurch, New Zealand
2010:            Mexico City, Mexico
2009:            Mallorca, Spain
2008:            Antalya, Turkey
2007:            Antalya, Turkey
2006:            Durban, South Africa
2005:            Perth, Australia
2004:            Antalya, Turkey
2003:            Germany
2002:            Ft. Lauderdale, FL (United States)
2001:            Austria
2000:            South America