The ‘Mextenis León Open’, in León, Mexico, has been awarded 2023 Event of the 12 months on the ATP Challenger Tour.

This yr, a complete score system was established on the Challenger circuit, giving gamers the chance to judge and grade every event they compete in, primarily based on varied standards. After a profitable inaugural version, the Mextenis León Open acquired the very best score of all 196 Challenger tournaments. Situated within the coronary heart of Mexico, it’s the fourth award winner from the nation since 2015.

“Our dedication with the gamers, ATP, followers and sponsors might be all the time our precedence,” event director Jose Antonio Fernandez stated. “We are going to hold working more durable than ever to ship this type of expertise to our gamers.”

This yr’s León Challenger, held in April, was received by the-then 19-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who captured his maiden title at that degree in entrance of a packed crowd. The 6’8″ Frenchman struck 21 aces within the closing and performed 5 tie-breaks throughout his semi-final and title match in Mexico.

The ATP Challenger Tour additionally recognises the Vitas Gerulaitis Cup in Vilnius, Lithuania, as the highest event within the Europe/Africa area. The European nation celebrated its debut on the circuit only one yr in the past, changing into the 91st completely different nation to host a Challenger event.

“It’s superb information to seek out our event being acknowledged in such a excessive degree. This recognition is so necessary for Lithuanian tennis,” assistant event director Virginija Paliukaite stated. “We labored for therefore a few years simply to have a possibility to arrange an ATP Challenger event in our nation and we got here out strongly. It is a proof that now we have robust, motivated and competent individuals and our infrastructure is ideal for such and even larger degree tournaments.

“I need to thank the gamers, our group, volunteers and sponsors. None of this might have occurred in the best way it did with out their contribution. Hopefully, with such a robust debut and inspiration to maneuver and enhance ahead, Vilnius will keep within the worldwide map of tennis and host extra such and higher tournaments sooner or later.”

In South America, the occasion in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, earned prime honours. The Challenger Bolivia additionally made its second look on the calendar in 2023.

“It’s a nice shock to have acquired this award and it fills us with satisfaction to know that the gamers have chosen us as one of the best ATP Challenger Tour occasion in South America in 2023,” event director Carolina Poehlmann stated. “We stay agency in our dedication to proceed supporting the expansion of tennis in Bolivia and we’ll attempt to enhance to offer the absolute best circumstances to our worldwide opponents.”

Within the Asia-Pacific area, the event in Shanghai made its mark in China’s long-awaited return to the Challenger Tour. It’s held on the Qizhong Tennis Heart, the identical web site because the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

“We’re extraordinarily appreciative and honoured to be named greatest event on the Challenger Tour for 2023 within the Asia/Pacific Area,” event director Michael Luevano stated. “To be again on the tour after 4 years took quite a lot of arduous work from a group that relished the chance to supply a first-rate occasion. There was quite a lot of delight that went into creating, selling and staging the Street to the Rolex Shanghai Masters Challenger and to obtain the assist of the gamers on this means may be very gratifying.”

Richard Glover, VP Challenger Tour added: “The Challenger Tour has made nice strides in 2023, with elevated event requirements and unprecedented progress throughout all classes. I want to congratulate and commend the Mextenis León Open on exemplifying this progress and our tournaments in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Shanghai and Vilnius, for setting the usual of their respective areas. This award enormously displays their ardour, professionalism and dedication to the gamers and the Tour.”

Stronger pathway, stronger sport. Elevating the Challenger Tour is core to the #OneVision mission! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AMtaP5Ya2k

— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 11, 2023