World Open Venue Announced

Amsterdam Frans Otten Stadion To Host 2009 Women’s World Open

The Forexx Women’s World Open Squash 2009, the most prestigious event on the Women’s International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) World Tour, will be staged in the Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam. The championship will take place from 20-27 September 2009 at the biggest squash centre in the Netherlands.

The Frans Otten Stadion, which boasts 21 squash courts including one three-glass-walled court, has hosted numerous high-profile squash championships over the past couple of years. The 2004 Women’s World Team Championship took place at the renowned squash facility in the Dutch capital - and last year Frans Otten Stadion was the official venue for the European Team Championships and the Forexx Dutch Open. Every year the Dutch Nationals are also played at the multifunctional complex in Amsterdam.

An all-glass court will also be erected on the club’s tennis courts as part of the Forexx Women’s World Open Squash 2009. The championship court, featuring state-of-the-art technology which has considerably enhanced the ‘televisibility’ of professional squash, will be surrounded by a large seating area with a capacity for 1,000 spectators.

"The Frans Otten Stadion is the most logical and suitable venue in our country for such an important event," commented World Open promoter Tommy Berden. "It not only has 21 courts, but it also has valuable experience in hosting world class events.

"We are determined to create a ‘festival of squash’ in which the spectators can not only witness the best female squash players in the world, but can also participate in various squash activities themselves. And the Frans Otten Stadion gives us the opportunity to do just that," added Berden.

The Forexx Women’s World Open Squash 2009 will be the 25th staging of the world's most prestigious women's individual championship. It will also be the first time that the championship has been hosted by the Netherlands since 1989, when it was held in Warmond.

As well as past hosts of the event, the Netherlands also boasts a former world champion in Dutch star Vanessa Atkinson, who triumphed in 2004 over her new compatriot Natalie Grinham. Grinham, the world No2 and a World Open runner-up on three occasions (in 2004, 2006 and 2007), opted to represent the Netherlands at the beginning of last year.

More information about the championship can be found on the official tournament website www.womensworldopen.com