‘‘THIS is why we built this place,’’ said Tennis Tasmania president Phil Bowden as it was announced that the Launceston Regional Tennis Centre would host a second major international tournament next year.

With Tennis Australia awarding a $50,000 men’s tournament to run in conjunction with the existing $50,000 women’s event in February, it is hoped that players chasing prizemoney and ranking points will look favourably on visiting Tasmania where they will also be able to contest the Burnie International a week earlier.

The blockbuster fortnight of tennis following the Australian Open delivers on the promise that the long-awaited $2.4 million venue would start to land major tournaments once opened in 2011.

With a plush new grandstand added this year, Tennis Australia officials said they were impressed with the Racecourse Crescent venue’s potential.

‘‘We look for international-class facilities for these tournaments and that is certainly the case here in Launceston,’’  pro tour manager Fiona Luscombe said.

‘‘It’s an unbelievable venue. I’d seen maps of it but in reality it looks even better than I thought and the grandstand is a massive factor in creating atmosphere.

‘‘I see no reason why the tournament could not stay here permanently.’’

Luscombe said the ATP Challenger men’s tournament, added to the existing ITF Pro Circuit women’s event, which offer a total prize purse of $100,000, were sure to attract quality players.

Olivia Rogowska, Monique Adamczak and Storm Sanders have been regular visitors over the three-year lifespan of the women’s event while the men’ s event could also expect to lure a strong line-up of local and international rising stars on the fringes of the world top 100.

Casey Dellacqua made her comeback from injury at a similar tournament in Bendigo and is now in the world’s top 30 while latest Aussie sensation Nick Kyrgios was playing at another in Toowoomba just months before hitting the headlines by defeating former champion Rafael Nadal en route to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Tennis Tasmania chief executive  Mark Handley said the addition of the men’s tournament strengthens the sport’s summer events swing.

‘‘The back-to-back $100,000 combined events in Burnie and now Launceston are testament to the quality delivery and outstanding facilities both venues provide to athletes, and are likely to increase the depth of player draws in both events,’’ he said.

‘‘Importantly, tennis fans will have the opportunity to watch men and women compete at the same venue, in the same week in their own backyard.

‘‘We’re excited that the investment we spent on the Launceston facility has been quickly rewarded with these events.’’

Handley said having two events just 90 minutes apart would appeal to players looking to save travel expenses and was hopeful of securing long-term deals for both Launceston tournaments.