Irish players target Wimbledon appearance

Irish tennis player will be among the competitors battling it out on the courts of Limerick Lawn Tennis Club this week in the hope of making the grade for future Wimbledon tournaments by becoming one of the top 100 players worldwide.

The International Tennis Futures (ITF) for men is the second tier of world ranking for professional players from 20 countries worldwide hoping to get the big break.

British tennis sensation Andy Murray played in the ITP's Futures Competition two years ago before getting his big break.

Irish players such as Limerick tennis ace Conor Niland and Dublin man Peter Clarke are looking to the tournament to improve their chances of qualifying for the prestigious tournament.

Asked about his chances of qualifying for Wimbledon in 2008, Niland said it was a possibility.

"I have a decent chance," he said "It is a fairly realistic possibility it is not a million miles away."

Conor is seeded eigth and has a good chance of winning the ITF for men on his home territory if he beats British hopeful Richard Rubin.

Tournament Director Eddie O'Toole encouraged all tennis enthusiasts to come out and watch the event which is being staged for the first time ever in Limerick this week.

"At the moment 98 of the top 100 seeds came through the Futures ranks, what people will be looking at are the future faces of world tennis," he explained.

"I would urge all sports fans to come to Limerick Lawn Tennis Club to support our local man, Conor Niland," he added. "Entry is free and food is served all day."

A special stand for 500 spectators has been erected at Limerick Lawn Tennis club to allow the public and schoolchildren to see top pros in action in four different courts at the same time until next Saturday.

In the evening, more than 250 top Irish amateur players are taking the courts in the country's oldest tennis competition, the 129th South of Ireland tournament.

Speaking about the event Limerick Lawn Tennis Club vice chairman Desmond Hayes said it was a great honour for the recently refurbished club to be hosting such a high-profile event.

"We are delighted to be hosting the first International Mens Futures in Limerick and it is a fantastic week where the tennis stars of the future are in action here," said Mr Hayes.

"While there is as a €15,000 prize fund in the ITF Mens Futures, what most players are chasing are the vital ITF ranking points they will gain.

"Most of them would rank in the top 400 players world wide but they want to get into the top 100."