University of Limerick to host Ireland's Davis Cup clash against Austria
LIMERICK BOUND: Ireland's Conor Niland in action. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
The University of Limerick is set to host Ireland's Davis Cup World Group I Play-off against Austria next February.
The match, which will be the first home tie Ireland has hosted in nine years, will take place on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday 4th of February. Two singles games will be played on the Saturday followed by a doubles and two further singles being played on the Sunday to decide which team will progress to World Group I.
Ireland has successfully progressed from World Group III into World Group II and now to the World Group I playoffs following wins over Georgia, Barbados and most recently El Salvador in September.
They will face "a stiff test" in the Treaty County though as former World Number three Dominic Thiem is likely to be in Austria’s line up, while other players expected to travel include the likes of Jurij Rodionov (111) and Dennis Novak (166).
"The players and I are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to bring Davis Cup tennis back to Ireland, and particularly in the town where I grew up and learned my own tennis," said Irish captain Conor Niland.
"Of course the Austrians are very strong, and I can promise everyone who comes that they will be seeing truly world class players up close and in person.
"But while we’ll face a stiff test, we’ll rise to the challenge, and I know you can never discount home advantage, especially when the Irish Tennis public get behind their players’.
Limerick was the venue for previous Davis Cup success for Ireland back in 1989 when a team of Peter Wright, Sean Molloy and Robert Dolan beat Senegal 4-1 at the Limerick Lawn Tennis Club.
And speaking following this announcement, Tennis Ireland CEO Kevin Quinn is hoping for a similarly memorable and successful occasion.
"This will be an unmissable weekend on the tennis calendar," added Quinn.
"The arena in UL is a new venue for indoor professional tennis and its location, size and impressive facilities will allow us attract the largest possible audience. The Davis Cup was played here once before, back in 1989, when we defeated Senegal 4-1 in Limerick.
"We’re hoping that win will inspire this team, and that the exciting event will attract general sports fans as well as all our traditional Tennis fans and the many new ones who recently discovered our wonderful sport."
Director UL Sport, Brian King insisted: "UL Sport is honoured and thrilled to be the host venue for such a prestigious event as the Davis Cup.
"The campus at the University of Limerick is an ideal location for this World Group I Play Off match, where we cannot wait to showcase top class international tennis in the sporting city of Limerick."
Tickets for the match are set to go on sale next week.
