Palm Beach County to Serve Up ITF Senior World Championships

Palm Beach County will be home to the world’s largest amateur tennis tournament, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior World Championships from April 21- 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.  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 be in Palm Beach County, 8 different tennis facilities consisting of 110 total clay courts will be utilized.

The ITF Senior World Championships, which entails an individual and team championship division 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 26.  The Individual Championships will begin on April 27 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 taking place 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.” 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.  The ITF Senior World Championships 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.