The Aspen Tree ITF S700 Thailand Seniors Tennis Championship was held at the Fitz Club – Racquets, Health and Fitness on Nov. 20-26. Sponsored by The Aspen Tree by Magnolia Quality Development Corporation, the tournament brought together more than 100 top tennis players from all over the world who showcased their athletic tenacity and competed in heart-stopping matches for 7 days of non-stop sensational tennis action.
The ITF S700 tournament is considered the highest category in the Asia Pacific and offers the highest level of elite international competition. Organised and run by Mr. Vitanart Vathanakul, the CEO of Royal Cliff Hotels Group together with Mr. Daniel Rajsky and Mr. Jiri Cermak, the Tournament Directors, this major annual international sports tournament is considered to be one of the most prestigious and coveted events on the ITF Seniors circuit held in Thailand and has cemented Fitz Club and Pattaya as a major international sporting arena, especially for Tennis.
Highlights of the tournament included the quarter-finals of Men’s 35+ and above battle between Vitanart Vathanakul and Fabian Donsbach. The match lasted 4 hours with both players needing medical timeout to treat muscle pains and cramps. The eventual winner was Vitanart who had multiple match points and finally won it when Fabian’s forehand shot clipped the net. The spectators were thoroughly entertained and on the edge of their seats with excitement.
There were a number of nostalgic moments from players including Roland Kupka who came here in the 90s to compete in the ITF juniors and reached the semi-finals. It was a triumphant return for Roland as he prevailed over top-seeded Daniel Rajsky in an epic final.
It was very special to see a number of players competing in the 65+ category who fought their hearts out in the blazing heat. Several matches in the 65+ category went on for more than 2 hours. This event has successfully brought live tennis back to both the athletes and the spectators after the Covid lockdowns. The Fitz Club team set up strong precautionary measures against Covid-19 which successfully resulted in no one getting infected at the event.
The awards presentation ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Keerin Chutumstid, the President of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), Property & Service Business Group and Ms. Hye June Park, the President of The Aspen Tree Corporation Limited by MQDC. Royal Cliff and The Aspen Tree share similar values of empowering senior athletes to become more active, promoting healthy and active lifestyles, and using its award-winning facilities to initiate a multi-level approach to promoting physical activity by providing competitive athletic and recreational experiences for all. Through sports, the company continually makes a positive difference in the lives of many who are given the chance to have fun, make new friends and develop a lifetime appreciation for the sport. For more information about The Aspen Tree please visit www.mqdc.com or call 1265.
A variety of food and beverage options were also served on-site, post-match massages were available and state-of-the-art sports facilities were provided for both players and spectators to work out, unwind or socialize. The players gave nothing but amazing feedback and many said it is one of the best championships they have been to. Participants, fans, and spectators of all ages enjoyed competitive world-class tennis in this remarkable event.
This is the fourth time that this tournament has been held at Fitz Club – Racquets, Health and Fitness, one of the most iconic sports venues in Pattaya and Thailand. The cutting-edge luxury sports centre has been frequented by top ATP players and sports stars from around the world. It is located in a highly accessible location and has the facilities to hold a world-class event including seating areas for large number of spectators.
For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub
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