Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is now the longest running and largest tennis exhibition in Europe – featuring ATP and WTA players warming up for Wimbledon. Tony McDonough reports
Former Wimbledon singles champion Marion Bartoli tops the bill for this year’s Liverpool International Tennis Tournament – one of the biggest events in the city’s sporting and business calendars.
And local car dealership Williams BMW has been unveiled as the title sponsor of this year’s tournament, taking place at Liverpool Cricket Club from June 21 to 24. Other corporate backers include MSB Solicitors, Verb Marketing and the Liverpool BID Company.
Williams BMW has been a supporter of the tournament, now in its 17th year, for a number of years and has taken over from Liverpool Hope University as the title sponsor.
The Liverpool International is now the longest running and largest tennis exhibition in Europe – featuring ATP and WTA players warming up for Wimbledon in addition to the ever-popular legends of tennis.
Big comeback
Marion Bartoli sensationally won Wimbledon in 2013, then just as sensationally retired from the game altogether a few weeks later.
The French ace was busy in her post tennis career with design and fashion when illness hit her in 2016 and she lost a staggering five stone in weight but has now regained full fitness and wants to get back on the women’s tennis circuit.
Bartoli attributes her comeback to her illness that left her fearing for her life. At a recent interview with the French newspaper L Equipe she said: “The stopping of my first career in 2013 was heartbreaking due to a shoulder injury as I finally felt I had mastered everything to win these big tournaments and realise my dreams.
“If what happened to me in 2016 did not happen I do not think I would have had this feeling as powerful to come to the courts.”
Corporate highlight
The tournament is a highlight in the business networking calendar with the corporate hospitality section always full to bursting on every day of the event, welcoming more than 2,000 guests.
Tony Crolla, head of business for Williams BMW Liverpool, said: “As a North West based family-owned business with a flagship retail centre in Liverpool serving the city and Merseyside, Williams BMW Liverpool is a long-standing supporter and sponsor of Anders and his prestigious tournament.
“Our status this year as title sponsor enhances our commitment to supporting sports throughout the North West and to encourage talents at all levels.’’
Skupski brothers
Also playing in this year’s International will be last year’s sensational quarter-finalist in men’s doubles in Wimbledon Neal and Ken Skupski who are born and raised in Liverpool.
Tournament director Anders Borg added: “The Skupski brothers’ progress through the rankings in men’s doubles has been amazing and to reach the last eight in the world’s most famous tennis tournament is nothing but astonishing.
The tournament has collected more than £250,000 pounds towards local charities over the years, and this year’s charities include the R Charity, which raises funds to enable for the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust as well as Leadership Through Sport & Business, which prepares and support bright young people who face disadvantage into secure, sustainable, high-quality careers in accounting, business and finance.
Northern Vision, the organiser of the event, runs one of the most out reaching CSR programs in the North West offering free tennis lessons at a number of locations in the region including in Liverpool One during a five-week build up to the International.