[shirgan]

After a relative drought in Israeli tournaments in recent years,
this year a 3-tournament series is expected in October: 10k,10k,25k, in addition to the 10k tournament that took place in May.

I think it's much better that they make it a consecutive series of tournaments, rather than 1 tournament every few months, because that makes it more attractive for players to come over to Israel, especially since Israel is quite isolated tennis wise.

http://beta.itftennis.com/procircuit...ate=31-12-2012

[Archer16]

I agree. Still expect the 25K to be not much above 10K level though.
Any idea about the funding that enabled that? Or maybe they just channeled the Toto money differently?

[shirgan]

Acceptance list for 1st 10k (Akko, October 15) has been published.
More players will withdraw by the time tournament starts,
but right now the list is not great but not terrible either.

http://beta.itftennis.com/procircuit...tid=1100027563

Surprising Lankri is not in the list, since she's from Akko and is not listed anywhere else.
Maybe she was guaranteed a WC?

[shirgan]

Well apparently the first 2 weeks of the Israeli series coincide with the infamous 25k Nigerian tournament series.
So Shlomo, Patiuk and Masuri have opted for a chance of some easy points there, rather than enjoying the home advantage in the 10ks over in Israel.
I imagine they will be back in Israel for the 25k.

[shirgan]

25k acceptance list published
Glushko has no problems playing a 25k in Japan, but apparently is not interested in playing in a 25k in Israel? She's not in the list, maybe she will get a WC?
For a player claiming to have significant financial challenges, I find it quite astonishing that she will opt out of this.

[shirgan]

Originally Posted by Archer16

I agree. Still expect the 25K to be not much above 10K level though.
Any idea about the funding that enabled that? Or maybe they just channeled the Toto money differently?

According to the reports the 1st tournament received funding from the Israeli tennis center, the department for the development of the Galilee and the city of Akko.
Don't know about the other 2 tourns.

[shirgan]

For the first time in many years the two 10k tournaments will be conducted along side two men's 10k futures.
Interesting to note that the center court of the tournament has been solely reserved for men's matches so far, and not only that, but there's a strict separation between courts for women's matches only, and courts for men's matches only.
I hope this is not due to some desire to accommodate religious fanatics.

Another surprising thing for me is the complete absence of Akko native Ofri Lankri, especially from the first 10k which occurs in Akko itself. Is she injured? anyone know what happened?

[shirgan]

Originally Posted by shirgan

According to the reports the 1st tournament received funding from the Israeli tennis center, the department for the development of the Galilee and the city of Akko.
Don't know about the other 2 tourns.

The funding for the Ashkelon tournament (the second 10k) apparently comes from an Ashkelon construction company in cooperation with the family of a 20 year old IDF officer, Hila Bezalel, who died in April of this year in an accident during the preparations for the official Independence day's celebrations in Jerusalem (a lighting bridge fell on top of her).
Hila's mother says her daughter loved sports, was an excellent swimmer and basketball player and volunteered for different causes. Also, the family is deeply rooted in the city of Ashkelon. So creating a sports tournament in Ashkelon in her honor seemed fitting.

According to the report, the intention is to make this tournament a regular feature in the tour.

more in Hebrew:
http://www.ashkelonim.co.il/index.ph...ticles&id=7881

[shirgan]

This week in the Ashkelon 10k tournament, again center court reserved for men's matches only for some reason.
And women's and men's matches are completely separated, 3 courts reserved for each.