The International Tennis Federation announced today that Wilson Racquet Sports, manufacturers of DOUBLE CORE(TM) – the Official Ball of Davis Cup, has expanded its relationship with the ITF to include the ITF Junior Circuit and Team Competitions.
From January 2002 through 2004, Wilson will become the preferred tennis ball for the ITF Junior Circuit comprising 245 tournaments in 107 countries. Approximately 5,000 juniors worldwide participate in the ITF Junior Circuit each year.
Wilson will also be the Official Tennis Ball for the ITF Junior Team Competitions that includes the 14 & Under, 16 & Under and 18 & Under Events. The 14 & Under Events (World Junior Tennis Competition) has five regional qualifying events with the Finals in 2002 taking place in Prostejov, Czech Republic during the week of 12 August. The 16 & Under Competition has five regional qualifying events with the Finals in 2002 taking place in La Baule, France during the week of 9 September. The 18 and Under Events have five regional qualifying events with the Finals taking place in the United States in early December.
‘This is an outstanding addition to our existing partnership with Wilson,’ said Jan Menneken, Executive Director Commercial for the ITF. ‘Although Wilson is one of the most successful brands in tennis, the addition of the ITF Junior Circuit and Team Competitions gives them even more influence in the sport. Our relationship with Wilson during the first months of the Davis Cup contract has been excellent and we know that we can expect the same to their expanded role in Junior Tennis.’
‘As Official Ball of the Davis Cup with our newest premium tennis ball, Double Core(TM), it was logical for us to also team up with the ITF as the Official Ball of their successful and growing Junior Tennis programmes’, said Joakim Appelqvist, Marketing Manager tennis balls Europe. ‘We are very excited about this partnership with the ITF and we look forward to promoting Davis Cup and Junior Tennis’.
‘The ITF Junior Circuit and Team Competitions will benefit from our new relationship with Wilson,’ said Jackie Nesbitt, Manager, Junior Tennis, for the ITF. ‘Over the last decade, the success of the ITF’s Junior Tennis Programme has been clearly demonstrated. The ITF will continue to grow the junior game and assist with the emergence and development of talented young players world-wide. The partnership with Wilson will assist our efforts greatly and we are delighted to welcome them on board.’
For further information please contact:
Joakim Appelqvist
Tour & Marketing Manager
WILSON Racket Sports Europe
Tel +49 89 898 01 123
Fax +49 89 898 01 120
GSM +49 172 898 4407
Email joakim.appelqvist@amer.de
Barbara Travers
Communications Manager
ITF
Tel: +44 20 8392 4632
Mobile +44 7770 277084
Email: barbara.travers@itftennis.com
www.itftennis.com
www.itfjuniors.com