By Norman Stacey
It’s Game, Set & Match! Hua Hin’s spanking new World-Class Tennis facility marks the launching of a major international draw-card. In a close-run finish, the impressive Centennial Club Tennis complex was officially opened on October 31st. First up in a string of scheduled events is the Association of Tennis Professional’s (ATP) Challenger Tour Series, The Hua Hin Open.
Internationally-ranked, Tennis Professionals from Thailand and 12 other nations, descended on Hua Hin November 2 – 8, to initiate the facility and to compete for the Hua Hin Open’s, US$125,000 in prize-money. The inaugural tennis event was sponsored by Energy Absolute and Singha Corp. Action was dual Singles and Doubles Tournaments, with simultaneously matches on up to 3 courts. The 32 Players in the Singles, many overlapping with a similar number in Doubles, battled through Main Draws, Quarter and Semi-finals as the week unfolded. Championship deciders will be over the weekend.
Players from Italy, Estonia, Russia and USA described the new Hua Hin Centennial Club’s Tennis complex as ‘impressive’, and ‘World Class’. The Centre-Court’s hard; plexicushion surface is described by players as ‘extremely fast’, and without the subtleties of bounce characterizing older facilities. The handily located complex will eventually have 11 courts, in addition to the Centre Court with it permanent seating for about 1,000 spectators. Action on the courts is supported by air-conditioned training facilities, practice and changing-rooms, player, administration and media rooms, and by free shuttle buses to and from the Intercontinental Hotel.
The E@ Hua Hin Open also marked the opening of an on-site bar and restaurant, ‘Maria’s’ [as in Sharapova]. This glass and steel, ground-floor expanse includes real-time CCTV coverage, ensuring tennis aficionados miss none of the action, whilst partaking in a Thai and Western menu, or enjoying the sponsor’s product – and all at refreshingly reasonable prices.
Next up and starting next week is the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA – 125 Series) Tournament, November 9th through 15th. Many more events are scheduled or planned, The Centennial Club (Tennis Courts), facility has put Hua Hin firmly on the world tennis scene.