Tipton will be under the international spotlight next week as the some of the world’s top up and coming tennis players convene for the start of the AEGON Pro-Series $15K Futures event.

Among them, a strong contingent of home-grown talent including AEGON FutureStars and Team AEGON players will be flying the flag for British Tennis.

The prestigious international event will run from March 7-13 2010 and will take place at the Tipton Sports Academy. The AEGON Pro-Series is seen as the first step on the professional ladder, with many players progressing to compete on the main ATP and WTA Tours.

Players drawn in the qualifying round will start their campaign on the 7th March, hoping to progress onto the main draw which gets underway on 9th March. The Doubles final is scheduled to take place on Friday 12th March and finalists in the Singles event will battle it out for Tipton honours on Saturday 13th March. 

Among the 35 British players competing at the event is British number 5, Josh Goodall. The 24-year-old will be hoping for a successful run on home soil but is likely to face stiff opposition from a talented international field, with competitors from as far afield as Australia registered for the event.

13 different countries will be represented at the Tipton tournament, with a total of 80 players competing in both the Qualifying (48)  and Main Draws Singles’ events (32)  and world rankings ranging from 243 to 1738.

Steven Martens, Player Director of the LTA, said:

“The AEGON Pro Series events showcase some of the best up and coming talent in the world and offer British players the opportunity to compete at the highest level on home soil. Competition is vitally important in developing both the tactical and mental competitive qualities the players need to have in place as they progress and develop."

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the LTA, said: “British Tennis is committed to creating and improving competitive opportunities for all players and the AEGON Pro Series is a great example of this. It provides the players with the opportunity to test themselves against players from all over the world which can only be of benefit.”

AEGON Pro Series events take place all over the UK; all of which attract a strong field of national and international players. It is also a breeding ground for Britain’s best young players, including Team AEGON and AEGON FutureStars, to learn their trade against strong and often experienced international opposition.

For more information please visit www.lta.org.uk/Pro-series