As the gaze of the sporting world once again turns east, to the post-Olympics event, the long-established Paralympics which are also being held in Beijing, where some of the top wheelchair tennis players in the British Isles are heading south instead – to south Belfast, that is.

The annual Ulster Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament is a real 'Ace' and takes place at the Belfast Indoor Tennis Arena, on the Ormeau Embankment, from 19 – 21 September.

One of the most popular competitions on the wheelchair tennis circuit, it attracts top players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Belfast's Lord Mayor, Tom Hartley, (pictured with players Ivor Jess, left, and Stafford Lynn) said that the Council was delighted to be working with the organisers to stage the tournament for the 11th year.

He said: "Events such as these are important to the Council, and we are extremely pro-active in supporting them. Through our 'Support for Sport' programme we invest £300,000 a year in sport, from grassroots development projects through to major international events.

"The council’s support often helps to unlock other sources of funding which otherwise may not have been available to event organizers," said the Lord Mayor.

One of the most popular competitions on the wheelchair tennis circuit, it attracts top players from all over the British Isles.

Current British No 1, David Phillipson, will be returning to defend the title he won in 2007. He will be joined by top English doubles pairing, Sean Regan and Tony Knappett, and top Scottish player, 'Pistol' Pete Moore – the only player to have competed in all 11 tournaments.

Local hopefuls in the top division are Newtownabbey man Stafford Lynn and Glenavy's Ivor Jess, who both find themselves in a very competitive side of the draw.

"From the impressive line up of competitors attending our home tournament this year, we're expecting a very high standard of wheelchair tennis, with some hard fought three set thrillers," commented Jess.

Meanwhile, the special guest at this year’s tournament will be the President of the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, Martin McElhatton, who will be travelling to Belfast direct from the Paralympics in Beijing.

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(BMcC/KMcA)