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<\/p>\nThe Hunter Valley may have just found its new ace, with Signature Slam Academy (SSA) launching the region\u2019s first ITF-compliant courts, a development set to attract international players and boost sporting tourism.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Lovedale venue is already staging UTR Pro Tennis Tour events as it positions itself as a future powerhouse for the sport\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n
Co-owners Dr Jerry Schwartz and Krishna Singh have known each other for more than 20 years, but the idea for the SSA emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The latter\u2019s son had been competing in Europe, and the challenge of getting him home sparked a bigger question.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe thought, why can\u2019t we have a one-stop tennis academy in Australia?\u201d Singh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should our kids have to go overseas to play?<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vision was to do something that has never been done before.<\/p>\n
\u201cLess travel, less fatigue\u2026 a better experience for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
From there, the pair built something completely new.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The $10 million project mirrors Australian Open standards as the complex features the same GreenSet surface used in Melbourne Park, Grand Slam lighting, and seating for about 3,000 spectators on each court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the only ITF-compliant courts in the region,\u201d Singh said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers walk in and are blown away by the facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficials come from all over the world, and they say it feels like a holiday, not work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese players are the absolute best at what they do.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, attracting these types of athletes into the Hunter region is really exciting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re already seeing the economic impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEach event brings 40 players, plus their families and coaches, which flows straight into local accommodation, hospitality and jobs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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With a resort, golf course and transport infrastructure already on-site, Signature Slam Academy has signed a five-year deal with UTR Sports to host the UTR Pro Tennis Tour (PPT).<\/p>\n
Each event includes a men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournament, while carrying USD $20,000 prizemoney.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re also broadcasted live through Amazon Prime.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have players from Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, and from all over Australia,\u201d Singh told the Newcastle Weekly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we hosted our first event in May, we made history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere hasn\u2019t been a sports event in the Hunter that\u2019s been televised, let alone tennis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re definitely reaching our goals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Located in the middle of the charming vineyards, the venue has quickly become a favourite.<\/p>\n
Four events will be staged each year \u2013 two weeks in May-June and two in July-August \u2013 all locked in for the next five years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Players from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia are also gearing to serve it up, as part of the Asia and Pacific calendar, from 24 to 30 November.<\/p>\n
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SSA is now in discussions with Tennis Australia about expanding into additional tours.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singh said the long-term plan was even bigger.<\/p>\n
The Lovedale site is earmarked for a 70-court expansion worth about $180 million \u2013 a build that would make it the largest tennis complex in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re taking it step-by-step, but the vision is huge,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf international players can base themselves here, acclimatise, rest, then play back-to-back events, it puts the Hunter on the global tennis map.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, with the vineyards and mountains as the backdrop, we want the world to see just how special the Hunter Valley really is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more sports stories:<\/p>\n