Aiken to host World Championship Final Eliminator in May
Match dates confirmed as 18-22 May
The IRTPA has confimed today that the Final Eliminator will be played at the Aiken Tennis Club between 18 and 22 May.
Nick Howell was the highest bidder in the bidding process in December, winning the right to hos the Final Eliminator regardless of his opposition. John Lumley was the only other play to have bid, attempting to host the match in Philadelphia in a repeat of the previous World Championship cycle, but was unsuccessful.
Today’s announcement sees the dates for the best-of-13 set match published for the first time. The match will begin on Sunday 18 May, continue on Tuesday 20 May and, if required, conclude on Thursday 22 May. It will be the third Eliminator match held in Aiken in three years, with Howell defeating Taylor-Matthews in First Round Eliminator matches in both 2023 and 2025.
Howell will be hoping that the home court advantage will help him improve on the 2023 Final Eliminator, where he managed to win only one set — the seventh — from Lumley in Philadelphia. Lumley will come into the match in scintillating form, having defeated Camden Riviere for the first time in 12 years in the recent US Open final and eased through his First Round Eliminator against Steve Virgona with two straight-sets victories.
The match will form part of a big year for the Aiken Tennis Club, with the club also due to host the IRTPA Championships in October, the first running of that tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The timings also avoid a potential conflict with the 2025 Ladies World Championship, due to start in Newport on Saturday 24 May.
Match timings and ticketing information are yet to be confirmed. For further information, contact the Aiken Tennis Club or the United States Court Tennis Association.
