By Scoop Malinowski
If you can believe it, professional tennis in Newport is actually going to improve next year. Today’s press conference at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open revealed some surprises
The ATP 250 Hall of Fame Open will be diminished to a Challenger but it will run concurrent with a WTA tournament during the second week of Wimbledon.
Challenger tournaments, when well organized and staged, are superb. Tennis fans just want to see amazing tennis and any player in the top 500 can play that caliber. They say tennis is a star driven sport but Newport has always been a highlight event eventhough some years the draws lack star power. Such as this year but the crowds have been huge and yesterday morning I never saw the line so long to get in the main entrance.
To add the intrigue of a combined event on grass in Newport, one of the most charming, beautiful, historic venue towns in America, is a recipe for success.
Tennis fans have seen the big stars play hundreds of times. I believe most hardcores actually prefer to see young prospects striving to makes it and old codgers like Paire, Sandgren, etc to keep trying to stay in the show. Who needs Andy Murray or Felix? Pure tennis is what sells, that’s the commodity fans want, whether it’s a marquee name or not, it’s all about the wonderful game we call tennis.
It’s not important who plays magical champion level tennis, what matters most is to see it played. And now we know Newport will continue to stage world class top notch tennis in a brand new format for years to come.
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Frank · July 17, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Well said, Scoop. I’ve been volunteering for 11 years and counting, and although it pains me to see the Hall of Fame Tournament sold to Saudi Arabia (I wouldn’t have sold for any amount of paper money),it’s good to know there will be a challenger event (hopefully at least Challenger 125) replacing it. Bringing females back to Newport after a long absence will be easier on the eyes, for sure! 😉
Scoop Malinowski · July 18, 2024 at 5:38 am
Thanks Frank. Having women playing Newport will give newport a grand slam feel and that’s a good thing.