Registration has just opened for the Italian Gay Open. Gary Lynch gives his perspective on last year's tournament while tournament director, Mauro Scire, provides all the details on this year's tournament.
The Italian tournament is on the outskirts of central Milan and my last experience there was fantastic.
The atmosphere is delightful and found the tournament to be well run and well organized. We could buy wonderful Italian food at the club.
It is clay courts so it is home advantage for the Italians, as I found out in the 1st round. I was white washed by a 22yr old, but had a very exciting and entertaining consolation match just losing my 2 games 8-6.
You really have to be fairly fit to play on the clay which I was not!! Anyway I enjoyed it and gave me more experience for the next time.
Hosted housing is available and I stayed with an American host from Boston who lives and works in Milan. He was fantastic and we got on really well; he lived was only 400m to the venue so it was ideal.
I would highly recommend the OUT4TENNIS players to go as it is the most enjoyable tournament that I have played and I met some wonderful people there.
AN INVITATION FROM MAURO SCIRE, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:
Dearest OUT4TENNIS friends,
We are pleased to invite you to the 11th edition of the Italian Gay Open – Milano 3rd – 6th September 2009, which will be hold at Tennis Club Corvetto venues, Milano Via Fabio Massimo 15/4.
We are opening registrations for the following draws LEVELS (OPEN, A, B, C, D): - Men's singles - Women's singles - Men's doubles - Mixed doubles
Registration is now open until August 13th. Visit our website for all the information and online registration: www.atomoitalia.org
Fares 2009 1 Event: 70euro 2 Events: 80euro Friday dinner: 25euro Saturday IGO Party: 15euro Guests: 50euro
Housing requests, should be indicated in the application form, and will be provided on first-come first served basis.
In order to make your entry final and assure your place in the draws, we need to receive your payment within 10 days from registration date.
For further questions, do not hesitate in contacting us at the following addresses:
General info igoteam@yahoo.it
Housing igohousing@yahoo.it
Women atomodonne@atomoitalia.org
Hope to meet you for the first time or once again at the Italian Gay Open 2009!!!
Mauro Scire
Tournament Director