The inaugural HEAD International Luxembourg Open, hosted by the Luxembourg Tennis Federation (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Tennis – FLT) in collaboration with the Pickleball Commission, is set to host 130 players from nine different countries.
This marks a noteworthy milestone for pickleball in Luxembourg, a sport that has gained popularity since its introduction in the country just over a year ago, FLT noted.
Nearly 1,000 individuals have already tried the sport in Luxembourg, with approximately one hundred enthusiasts regularly engaging in matches across the Grand Duchy's six designated pickleball locations. To celebrate this increasing interest, the FLT Pickleball Commission said it has taken the initiative to organise its very first international tournament.
Scheduled to occur from Friday 13 October to Sunday 15 October 2023, the tournament will unfold at the Centre National de Tennis in Esch-sur-Alzette. The event will include a diverse roster of 130 participants, players from Italy, Belgium, France, and a selection of prominent European players. Luxembourg will be represented as well, with seventeen local players participating. Furthermore, the tournament will feature categories tailored to intermediate players and those aged over 50.
The tournament's schedule mirrors the traditional format of pickleball competitions. Friday will be dedicated to men's and women's singles matches. Saturday, the event’s highpoint, according to the organisers, will witness the men's and women's doubles categories. Finally, Sunday will conclude the competition with a focus on mixed doubles.