In 2001 Andy Roddick won the Honolulu Challenger. In 2002 James Blake captured the title. Every year, each January, some of the best players on the tour travel to Hawaii to escape from winter and to take part in one of the most prestigious challenger tournaments on the ATP calendar. Timed straight after Australian Open's week one, the Honolulu Challenger provides an excellent opportunity for players to showcase their form at the beginning of the season.

This year's entry list provides for a mix of seasoned veterans looking to capture another peak in their career, as well as young players eager to jumpstart their own career Roddick and Blake-style. Among the most prominent names who confirmed participation include veteran Michael Russel, ranked 83 in ATP and a winner of 21 Pro Circuit titles.

University of Kentucky alumnus Jesse Witten who caused quite the furor at last year's US Open by winning three qualification and 2 main draw matches, will play in Hawaii as well. Furthermore,  US's most promising youngsters Jesse Levine and Donald Young will compete at the Central Oahu Regional Park courts.

The Honolulu Challenger is the perfect opportunity for local players to get a feel for world-class tennis and maybe even get the chance to compete with the best shoulder to shoulder. This week, the USTA Hawaii organizes a Wild Card tournament open to all local players. The winner of the tourney will get a Wild Card for the Honolulu Challenger main draw while the runner-up will settle for a Wild Card for the qualification. 

Some of the best players from Honolulu and the islands will take place. The draw was out yesterday and  number one seed is local star Ikaika Jobe who competed for University of Saint Louis and Boise State posting impressive records at both schools. Number two seed is Andreas Weber, a senior at University of Hawaii who will look to become the second UH player into the Challenger main draw after teammate Leo Rosenberg won the first edition of the Wild Card tournament in November. UH players Daniel llarenas and Chad Rubin will take part as well.

Hawaii Pacific University will also play some of its best players. Number 3 ranked in the West Region Nikola Petrov and teammates Daniel Luedi, Sebastian Bader and Anton Samuilau will take the courts starting January 8th.  The draw will be completed by promising Hawaiian juniors such as state champion Jared Spiker. Other notable names include HPU ex-star Jan Tribler and juniors Matthew Westmoreland and  Quoc Huynh.

Matches start on January 8th at 12pm. The location is Central Oahu Regional Park and the entertainment is guaranteed. 

Check USTA Hawaii and Twitter for updates.