What is NNLO

The Project Nordea Nordic Light Open

What is the project Nordea Nordic Light Open, and what is the purpose of it?

The purpose of the project Nordea Nordic Light Open is to make a contribution to the tennis development in the Nordic Scandinavian and Baltic countries. This is done by creating and arranging the, for now, only WTA-championship in the region. Apart from this it also involves taking part in the development of additional talent- and competition activities, as well as carrying these out. The ambition is that this project is to serve as a source of both inspiration and knowledge for everyone who’s a part of the Nordic and Baltic tennis society.

Our Mission

We inspire.

Our Vision

Our vision is that the project Nordea Nordic Light Open is to develop into one of Europe’s most foremost sports projects, and therefore becomes both a sporting and commercial model for others to want to be a part of.

Our vision is that this contributes to a spreading interest to want to start playing tennis, and that there, thanks to this, should be at least 5 players from the region among the 100 foremost tennis players on the women’s world ranking chart.

You can se Nordea Nordic Light Open’s anniversary film here.

The project’s different activities

Nordea Nordic Light Open

The WTA Nordea Nordic Light Open is, for the present time, the region’s only WTA championship. The tournament was initiated by ATS in the spring of 2001, and played for the first time in 2002. The championship is a part of the world’s largest international sporting tours for female athels – Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Nordea Masters

In 2006 the activity Nordea Masters was initiated, a junior tournament that makes it possible for your Nordic and Baltic talents to get more international experience. The purpose of Nordea Masters is to help these youngsters develop into even greater tennis players – into tomorrow’s stars, while being inspired by their role models. Sweden’s, Denmark’s, Norway’s, Finland’s, Latvia’s, Estonia’s and Lithuania’s Tennis Associations are participants in this activity.

Nordea Open Norway

Norway’s only female tennis tournament, Nordea Open Norway, is a $10,000 tournament. This tournament provides the region’s players with the opportunity to receive a possible wild card to the WTA-championship Nordea Nordic Light Open, as well as some valuable ranking points.

The Project Nordea Tennis Team

Nordea Tennis Team exists the purpose of contributing to the support of both tomorrow’s and today’s Nordic and Baltic female tennis stars. To make sure that female tennis players, who are 15-years-old or more, in the Nordic Scandinavian and Baltic countries, who have the capacity to reach the top-100 or are already amongst the 100 on the world ranking chart, get the best possible conditions for both themselves and their coaches, in the journey towards being the number one player. The purpose also includes that the members of the team are to develop into role models, and inspire younger girls and boys to start playing tennis.

History

Place Winner

Nordea Nordic Light Open

2002 Esbo, Finland Svetlana Kusnetzova (RUS)

2003 Esbo, Finland Anna Smashnova (ISR)

2004 Stockholms Stadion Alicia Molik (AUS)

2005 Stockholms Stadion Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)

2006 Stockholms Stadion Jie Cheng (CHINA)

Nordea Masters

2006 Stockholms Stadion Karen Barbat (DEN)

Nordea Open Norway

2006 Gausdal, Norge Mari Andersson (SWE)

Nordea Tennis Team - Members

2003 - Åsa Svensson (SWE), Karina Jakobsgaard (DEN), Emma Laine (FIN), Ina Sartz (NOR)

2004 - Åsa Svensson (SWE), Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) Karina Jakobsgaard (DEN), Emma Laine (FIN), Ina Sartz (NOR)

2005 - Sofia Arvidsson (SWE), Karina Jakobsgaard (DEN), Emma Laine (FIN), Ina Sartz (NOR)

2006 - Sofia Arvidsson (SWE), Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), Emma Laine (FIN)

Participants

The project Nordea Nordic Light Open is run by a free-standing project organisation in co-operation with the Nordic and Baltic Tennis Associations and the WTA-Tour.

Place of competion

The Olympic Arena Stockholms Stadion.