Fredericton serving up an international tennis competition
The city of Fredericton is playing host to the Greystone-Volvo Challenger Professional Women’s Tennis Tournament.
The tournament began on Sunday with qualifying play.
"There's players from 13 countries from all around the world, India - you name it,” said Rufus Nel, Director of Tennis Operations Abony Family Center.
“China, Taipei, US, Argentina, Germany, [Czechia], it's a great representation of international tennis players,” said Nel.
About 50 competitors from around the world are taking part in the tournament.
"I feel more welcome than at any other tennis tournament actually and I feel very comfortable and I think that's why I'm playing well here,” said Gabriela Knutson, a tennis player from Czechia. “I was first in Thailand, then Florida, now Canada, next I'm going to Germany and then Slovenia it's just a very international tour.”
Competitors we’re excited about their hosts providing rides and meals unlike other competitions.
"We felt like we were in a winter wonderland coming here, with the snow and everything,” said Jessie Aney, a tennis player from the U.S. “I'm from Minnesota so I love the snow, I grew up playing ice hockey, so Canada kind of feels like a second home.”
"Here it was like snowy and every thing so that was a surprise but the courts are so nice, I really like being here,” said Chieh-Yu Hsu, a tennis player from Taiwan. “It's pretty refreshing, everything is so calm, we rented a car and we don't have to worry about the commute and everything so it was actually really nice.”
The tournament has $25,000 in prizes for the competitors.
This is the second time that the ITF has been in Fredericton, organizers hope international competitors keep coming back.
"Hopefully they're watching the next Wimbledon champion here or the next Canadian Open champion you never know,” said Nel.
Matches are taking place at the Abony Family Center in Fredericton this weekend with the last game happening on Sunday at is 12:00 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.