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Atsushi Seike
Chairman
President, Keio University
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Welcome to the Keio University 150th Anniversary “Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2009”. Keio University, with an over one hundred year tradition of tennis, is proud to host this tournament giving talented young players an opportunity to display their skills.
It is my hope that this tournament, which is held in cooperation with other Challenger and Future Challenger tournaments, will help to foster up-and-coming tennis players in Asia, and make a huge contribution to promoting tennis not only at university level, but also at a national level. I hope that today’s players will show us the results of their hard work and self-discipline and that their achievements may serve as a springboard to their future success.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Suntory Limited, Mizuno Corporation, and Tokyu Sports System Corporation, and to all those who have supported this tournament. Lastly, I hope that we will see some very dynamic matches that stimulate the world of tennis in Japan and inspire even more interest in this sport.
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Norikazu Kudo
Vice Chairman
General Manager, The Keio University Tennis Club
Vice-President, Keio University
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It is significant for Keio University as an educational institution to again be able to hold the Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament, which started in commemoration of Keio University’s 150th anniversary two years ago, with support from ATP and sponsor companies. I would like to thank all the people who are supporting this tournament.
The Keio University Tennis Team has produced many international level players such as Ichiya Kumagai and Takeichi Harada since its establishment in 1901. The environment has changed since the heyday of college tennis, but it is still necessary for college players to strive for the world’s top level. If students want to raise their self confidence as college players, they must test themselves against their peers. Nevertheless, students cannot just stay in their own small world. It is important to see and feel how the players from other countries compete to become top players. There are many things besides skills that can be learned from players who strive towards their goals without making any compromises. In Japan, college players are able to play in relatively blessed environments. I believe it is important for Japan’s tennis that every student set a high goal and strive constantly to achieve it.
Moreover, actually preparinge and running the tournament will broaden students’ views and will provide opportunities for them to realize the values of establishing relationships with people from all around the world. The theme for Keio University’s 150th anniversary, “Design the Future” includes a sense of the university paving the way for society through the fostering of human resources with “independence” and “collaboration”. I can say that this tournament perfectly fits thise theme. I strongly hope that this tournament will make a major contribution to Japan’s tennis and especially to Japan’s college tennis.
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Takeshi Kurioka
Executive Director
Chairman, The Keio Tennis of Mita-kai (Alumni Association)
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As the chairman, Atsushi Seike has said, Keio University has reached its150th anniversary last year. For a commemoration, we have held the Keio International Tennis Tournament since 2007. We will hold the third challenger tournament again this year. The alumni association of the Keio Tennis Team, Mita-Kai will undertake the conduct of this tournament.
The Tennis Team has produced many players who have earned prominent places in Japan’s tennis in its history of more than 100 years and has led college tennis by keeping a firm eye on the international level.
In the world of tennis, promising players who excel in both literary and military arts are increasing. I hope the players will compete with foreign players and gather international experiences from this tournament, and play actively in the world’s level. The students will also support this tournament. I believe this experience will contribute to progress of college tennis for sure.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Suntory Limited, Mizuno Corporation, Tokyu Sports System, and to everyone who have supported us for their continued and kind sponsorship for this tournament.
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Toshiaki Sakai
Tournament Director
Chief Coach, The Keio University Tennis Club
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In 2008, Keio University celebrates it was 150th anniversary. Keio Challenger is one of the commemorative events of this anniversary, and I feel very honored to be able to manage this event as the Tournament Director.
Recently, the Keio University Tennis Club has done well in producing top student players, including a Universiade representaitive and doubles winners of the Interecollegiate Tennis Tournament. Keio University and the Keio University Tennis Club are nowcommittes to support these talented youths compete in global arena. In order to realize this commitment, we decided to create a new tennis tournament, Keio Challenger, where promising young players can intensively compete with each other. Up to now, Japan had only three ATP managed tournaments. When I was playing in international tours, I observed many foreign players strived into world top 100 rankings after winning challenger tournaments hosted in their countries. I sincerely hope that Keio Challenger paves the way for promising youths to break into world top 100 and, as a result, changes the dynamics of Japanese and Asian tennis scenes.
Many Keio University students are engaged in the management of this tournament. Such experience should contribute to develop university tennis from various aspects as well.
Lastly, I would like to extend my deepest appreciations to the special sponsors, Suntory Limited, Mizuno Corporation, Tokyu Sports System Co., Ltd. and many other supporters.
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