ATP Challenger Tour returns to Scotland

A host of domestic and international stars are expected to battle it out for vital world ranking points at the Lexus Glasgow Challenger in February.

With free entry to spectators at Glasgow Club Scotstoun from 12-18 February, the men’s event is the newest addition to an ever-strengthening tennis calendar in Scotland.

Staged on indoor hard courts, the tournament will feature a singles qualifying competition, followed by a 32-player main draw and a 16-team doubles event.

‘Stepping stone’

Glasgow last hosted an ATP Challenger Tour event in 2019, when the Finnish player Emil Ruusuvuori triumphed in the singles.

As testament to the Challenger circuit’s mission as a “stepping stone” to the main ATP Tour, Ruusuvuori has since been ranked number 37 in the world and began 2024 by reaching the final of the ATP Hong Kong Open.

That means tennis fans in Scotland will enjoy watching some of the stars of the future as they develop their professional careers.

Tennis Scotland will be delivering the event alongside the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and dedicated volunteers, while also hosting a series of development and participation workshops aimed at young players and schoolchildren.

‘Exciting addition’

Tournament Director Mike Cohen, Head of Competitions and Events at Tennis Scotland, said: “The Lexus Glasgow Challenger is an exciting addition to our busy competitions calendar.

“Fans can look forward to seeing young players at the early stages of their journey to the top of our sport, as well as some well-known names from the tennis world.

“There were 32 weeks of national and international competition in Scotland in 2023 and we continue to work closely with venues and partners to develop opportunities for players of all levels to compete and earn good prize money.”

Scotland has successfully hosted a series of major tennis events in recent times, including the Davis Cup Group Stage and Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2022.

The nation’s domestic tennis tour – the TS Open Tour – is also thriving, with a record number of entries in 2023 and significant prize money being further increased to around £90,000 in the coming year.

Other recent events include the ITF World Tennis Tour visiting Glasgow in November 2023, held shortly before the new Scottish National Doubles Championships.

And just before the ATP Challenger event, Glasgow Club Scotstoun will also host the Scottish Senior Open Championships from 24-28 January, as some of the nation’s best players aged 35 and over go head to head.

‘Tremendous appetite’

Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “We are delighted that the ATP Challenger Tour is coming back to Scotland and look forward to welcoming players and spectators to Glasgow.

“We have worked consistently with the LTA and other local partners, including Glasgow Life, to position Scotland as a key host for a range of professional tennis events. 

“We know there is a tremendous appetite for tennis in Scotland, so hosting major national and international events can only serve to inspire young players to develop their games.

“The number of people playing tennis in Scotland is increasing significantly and competitions such as the Lexus Glasgow Challenger will further enhance the nation’s growing reputation as a great place to host major sporting events.”