Bendigo Tennis Centre is preparing for a very big summer of tennis.
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On Thursday Tennis Australia announced that events in Bendigo had been added to the calendar ahead of the Australian Open.
"This is so exciting for Bendigo as the events will attract strong fields because they are during the lead up to the Open," Fosterville Gold Tennis Centre general manager James Rouel said.
"It really is prime time in the middle of the calendar."
The centre will host the ATP Challenger 80 and the ITF Women's 60 starting on January 2.
Rouel said it was also pleasing to see high-calibre events being held across regional Victoria - which also includes a similar tournament to be held simultaneously in Traralgon.
"Having the opportunity to host an event like this is exactly what we wanted," he said.
"We couldn't be any more excited to get to work."
The Australian Open is scheduled to commence on January 17, with events held prior used as warm up opportunities for the athletes to prepare themselves for the first tennis grand slam of the year.
"Given Bendigo's proximity to Melbourne there's going to be some really great players in action," Rouel said.
"We encourage everyone to come along and see some world class tennis up close right here in Bendigo."
Tennis Australia chief executive officer Craig Tiley said there were more competition opportunities for players this summer than ever before.
"We have worked closely with both the women's and men's tours and would like to particularly thank our government partners across the country who have all been tireless in their efforts to bring the tennis back in 2022," he said.
"I know it was sorely missed this year, and we are already planning to have a full program of events across the country in 2023.
"It's also fantastic to bring tennis back to regional Victoria, where I know the local communities of Bendigo and Traralgon will welcome these global events with open arms."
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