Top class international Tennis is coming to Limerick early next year, when Ireland face Austria in a Davis Cup World Group I Play-off in the University of Limerick Arena, on
February 3rd and 4th.
Former World No 3 Dominic Thiem, is likely to be in Austria’s country’s line up, while the
other players expected to travel, Jurij Rodionov (111) and Dennis Novak (166), will also
present a stiff challenge to the home side.
Undeterred however, Irish captain Conor Niland said of the fixture: ‘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. 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’.
The match will be Ireland’s first home tie in the Davis Cup in 9 years, and according to
Tennis Ireland CEO Kevin Quinn, its staging in Limerick, presents a real opportunity:
‘This will be an unmissable weekend on the tennis calendar’ he said. ‘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 added, ‘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 will go on sale next week.
Ends.
Notes for Editors:
The Davis Cup is seen as the World Cup of tennis.
This match, the first home tie Ireland has hosted in 9 years, will take place on Saturday 3rd
and Sunday 4th February 2024. There will be two singles on Saturday 3rd, with a doubles and
two further singles being played on Sunday 4th. The winning 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 through wins over Georgia, Barbados and most recently El Salvador
in September.
Limerick was the venue for previous Davis Cup success for Ireland. In 1989, the Irish team of
Peter Wright, Sean Molloy and Robert Dolan beat Senegal 4-1 in Limerick Lawn Tennis Club.
Tennis is Ireland’s 4th most popular sport and has welcomed many new players to its
growing all-island tennis community since COVID.
