RAMAT GAN - Professional tennis is expected to mark its return to Israel in 2006, and will host a tournament for the game's top women players featuring more than USD 140,000 (NIS 643,000) in prize money.
The event will be the first chance for Israeli aficionados to watch world-class tennis at home since the Ramat Gan Men's Tennis Tournament was cancelled several years ago.
Last year, Israel hosted a "challenger" tournament, but the event was not featured on the Women's Tennis Association event calendar.
The tournament offered just USD 25,000 (NIS 115,000) in prize money, next to nothing on the scale of other international tournaments.
Both of Israel's women's tennis stars, 61st-ranked Anna Smashanova and 67th ranked Shahar Peer are expected to play in the tournament, and have been invited to the press conference.
