The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) has announced an exciting series of events, featuring three consecutive Uniqlo International Wheelchair Tennis Tournaments (ITF Futures Series) and a World Cup Qualification for the Asia Region. This marks the 17th consecutive year that Sri Lanka has hosted these prestigious tournaments, with the Negombo and Colombo Open Tournaments being held at the Negombo Tennis Club for the 13th year. Additionally, the 2025 BNP Paribas World Team Cup Asian Qualifier Wheelchair Tournament is set to take place in Sri Lanka from February 26 to March 2, 2025.
This significant event will bring together top wheelchair tennis players from across Asia, all vying for a coveted spot in the World Team Cup. As a pivotal tournament in the wheelchair tennis calendar, it provides a crucial platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills and secure qualifications for the global competition. Hosted in Sri Lanka, the event is expected to draw a diverse group of athletes, coaches, and spectators, highlighting the growing popularity of wheelchair tennis in the region and the country’s commitment to promoting inclusivity in sports.
The tournament series will feature elite players from around the world, underscoring the rising prominence of wheelchair tennis in Sri Lanka and the broader Asian region. Through these tournaments, the SLTA aims to offer a competitive platform for athletes while further establishing Sri Lanka as a key hub for wheelchair tennis development. This series also serves as a vital stepping stone for players aiming for a spot in the World Cup, making it a highly anticipated event for fans and participants alike.
The tournaments are scheduled as follows: the Negombo Open from February 11 to 14, 2025, and the Colombo Open from February 16 to 19, 2025, both at the Negombo Tennis Club. The SL Open will occur from February 21 to 24, 2025, and the 2025 BNP Paribas World Team Cup Asian Qualifier Wheelchair Tournament from February 26 to March 2, 2025, at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo.
These Futures tournaments, boasting a prize pool of US$ 3000, are among the highest prize money events in Sri Lanka’s tennis scene. This makes them a major draw for professional players and a significant addition to the international ITF calendar, particularly for wheelchair tennis. The inclusion of wheelchair tennis in these tournaments highlights the growing emphasis on inclusivity and provides a unique platform for athletes with disabilities to compete at a high level. These tournaments promise to enhance Sri Lanka’s reputation on the global tennis stage and foster the development of both able-bodied and wheelchair tennis players.