Tennis ACT boss Ross Triffitt hopes securing a major sponsor for its marquee tournament, the Canberra International, will ensure the event's long-term future and the capital's place in the Australian tennis calendar.
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Tennis ACT will host three pro-tour events between October and March as it continues its push to build a professional profile in Canberra.
Officials are still working with Tennis Australia in the hope they will win rights to host a Davis Cup tie in the capital in the future.
But Triffitt said they were committed to helping develop the sport's next level and Apis has signed up as a major partner for the $100,000 Canberra International.
Tennis ACT took on the majority of costs in the tournament's inaugural year and had some assistance from Tennis Australia to implement the program.
"We get a significant contribution from Tennis Australia to run the pro-tour events but there is also a pretty significant cost to us to run them," Triffitt said.
"It's really important for sustainability for these events that we get local [financial] support.
"Apis are on board for the next two years so that secures the tournament for at least the next couple of years and it means we can meet our financial commitments to the delivery of the event."
Tennis ACT estimates its three tournaments will give the ACT economy a $1 million boost.
Triffitt also said the capital was positioning itself to bid for hosting rights for the next Davis Cup round in February after missing out on the Australia-Slovakia tie this weekend.
There will be $100,000 in prizemoney up for grabs – $50,000 each for men and women – at the 10-day Canberra International, which kick-starts the tennis season on October 29 with players ranked between 100 to 300.
The $75,000 Canberra Challenger will serve as a warm-up for the Australian Open and it is hoped top-100 players will visit the capital before testing themselves in Melbourne.
"Depending on the tournament, it can cost up to $100,000 for us to run an event," Triffitt said.
"There is massive contribution from volunteers and we off-set the costs by value-in-kind support as well. But there is still a significant amount of costs.
"Tennis Australia contributes $200,000 to the [Canberra International] as well. We hope to attract all of the Australian players on the local circuit but players from Asia as well."
