Tennis Canada calls for more public funding to grow the game
The organization says the game needs to be 'more affordable' to boost interest
As Halifax prepares to host the Davis Cup playoff tie between Canada and Chile from Sept. 16 to 18, a Tennis Canada board member says more public investment is needed to grow the sport here at home.
"We have proven in the last seven or eight years that we are a tennis country. We're the fastest emerging tennis country in the world," said Jack Graham, a Halifax lawyer who is also a board member of Tennis Canada.
Graham points to Milos Raonic — the first man to play for Canada at Grand Slam title at Wimbledon — and Eugenie Bouchard as examples of players creating a buzz about Canadian tennis.
Canadian tennis buzz
He says that to take advantage of the buzz for the sport, it needs to be made more affordable. through public investment, "just like rinks, just like arenas and gymnasiums and that's what we've been talking to government about."
Graham says he's expecting a big turnout for when the Davis Cup is played at the Scotiabank Centre and thinks the event will raise the profile of the game in Canada.
Another game for Milos
Graham said Raonic is expected to play in Halifax.
"I think we have a team, provided everyone is healthy, we have a team that could win the Davis Cup competition overall," said Graham.
He said Tennis Canada had a good experience when they were in Halifax two years ago.
"Tennis Canada is very committed to this community and not just in terms of bringing world-class events, but also in growing the sport here and creating more opportunities for the sport to become accessible and affordable for everyone," he said.
With files from Tom Murphy