Top tournament in county
Wednesday 23rd September 2009, 1:37PM BST.
Britain's elena Baltacha with ball boys and girls at the Welti Tennis and Leisure Centre in Shrewsbury
Shropshire’s Welti Tennis & Leisure Centre is hosting one of the most prestigious ladies indoor tennis tournaments in the country, at the Shrewsbury venue this week.
The Aegon Pro-Series, Shrewsbury, boasts a £75,000 prize fund and features twelve British stars, including Katie O’Brien, Naomi Cavaday, Georgie Stoop and Lisa Whybourn, who will be contesting the event alongside many European competitors.
Top seeded British entrant, Elena Baltacha, sitting at a career-high world ranking of 101, took time out from her hectic training program to meet children from eighteen schools from across the county who are acting as the ‘Budgen Ball Kids’ for the week.
The youngsters, all keen tennis players, previously took part in four days of training as ball boys under the instruction of Shropshire LTA’s Cathy Sabin and are kitted out and supported by local car dealers Budgen Motors.
Welti director Stephen Welti said: “We are very proud to have brought such a prestigious tennis tournament to Shropshire and are very grateful for the enthusiasm and professional attitude of these children, who have a vital role to play in the smooth running of the competition.”
- Fans who want to go along to watch the tennis at the Welti Centre can do so tomorrow, Friday and Saturday which is finals day. Tickets for each day will be available from reception at the centre or on 01743 467755.
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