TALLAHASSEE, April 1, 2013 - The USTA and Har-Tru will hold a joint press conference at the Forestmeadows Tennis Center Wednesday, April 3 at 11 AM local time to unveil the brand-new hydro green clay Har-Tru court for the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger, set for April 27-May 4.
Tournament director Karen Vogter will be joined by Ed Montecalvo of Har-Tru Sports for the unveiling of Stadium Court, which was installed over the last year after two decades of hardcourt play at the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger. The hydro court, a soft green clay, will be donated to the City of Tallahassee at the April 3 press conference, as well.
"The community in Tallahassee has supported this event for 20 years and I'm delighted to announce that we will donate the court to its residents on April 3," Vogter said. "We look forward to another incredible Tallahassee Tennis Challenger later next month and can't wait to see tennis enthusiasts from throughout the region come and watch some of the sport's up and coming stars play in Northern Florida."
Earlier this month the USTA announced that Har-Tru will serve as the title sponsor for the three-tournament swing which awards a French Open wild card to the leading American man and woman. Tallahassee serves as the final of the three tournaments, collectively known as the Har-Tru USTA Pro Circuit Wild Card Challenge.
“We are incredibly excited to be able to sponsor the USTA Pro Circuit,” said Pat Hanssen, general manager of Har-Tru Sports. “It’s a great opportunity to support the governing body of our sport, the USTA, and its efforts to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the U.S. The fact that we can help the USTA leverage their efforts to drive more high level training and competition on clay, and indeed support the method for these players to gain wild card entry into Roland Garros, lines up perfectly with our commitment to developing champions.”
The Tallahassee Tennis Challenger is a $50,000 event on the USTA Pro Circuit and last year was won by American Tim Smyczek. Players such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mardy Fish, James Blake, John Isner and Donald Young have appeared at the event, which benefits the D. Mark Vogter, M.D., Memorial Endowment for the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
