Newport 250 Drops To Challenger But Still Thrives

By Scoop Malinowski

When the news first broke last year that the historic Newport Hall of Fame Championships ATP 250 summer classic was sold to another date on the calendar on another continent, the reaction of longtime attendees of this New England summer classic was horror.

But this thriving little tournament was too popular and beloved to be canceled completely. Eventually the decision-makers at the International Tennis Hall of Fame figured out an idea to not only save the tournament but also enhance it.

The Hall of Fame Open evolved into an ATP and WTA Challenger 125 tournament and this year was the first edition. And it was a stunning success.

Everybody I spoke with in Newport last week felt that despite the lower ranking players competing at Newport 2025 – for less prize money and less ranking points – the tournament vibe actually became greater.

There really is no discernible difference in the quality of play and the speed of shots by players ranked inside the top 100 and outside the top 100.

In fact, something happened earlier this year that proves ATP Challengers are actually tougher and better competition than an ATP 250. Jenson Brooksby won the Houston ATP 250 in early April as a qualifier and then in his next two tournaments – at ATP Challengers in Tallahassee and Savannah – he lost at both in the first round, both times in straight sets.

This year at Newport also featured a WTA Challenger event which resulted in a busier atmosphere. Everywhere you looked matches were being played, singles doubles, men, women. The truth is professional tennis is a better experience when both men and women’s action is showcased. Most of the WTA players were little known, outside the few marquee names like Eugenie Bouchard, Christina McHale, Caty Mcnally, Tatiana Maria, the highest ranked player in the draw at WTA no. 45. The no. 2 seed was Ena Shibahara at WTA 120.

There were a lot of highlights… Bouchard, playing in her first match in about a year, blew a 52 lead vs Anna Rogers and lost 57 26. 37 year old Queens champ Maria of Germany, was slicing and dicing and giving grass court lessons to the likes of young Kayla Cross, Sayaka Ishii and Alana Smith. Lucrezia Stefanini of Italy had a delayed reaction grunt that she utilized about a full second after making ball contact. Destanee Aiava vs Ishii was a battle of baseline heavyweights, hitting the ball as hard or harder than some of the ATP players. Interestingly, Aiava, from Australia, wears vintage tennis outfits on court that she finds on ebay.

The top seed of the men’s draw was Brandon Holt, ranked 99 in the world. Seeds 2-8 of the 32 draw were ranked from 103-177. The most recognizable name of the draw was Bernard Tomic, the former world no. 17. Tomic beat Michael Zheng in the first round but then fell to 4 seed Adrian Mannarino for the second time this year. Tomic had beaten Mannarino three times in their ATP Tour duels about a decade ago but Mannarino is Mr. Newport, a former champion, and he is almost a guarantee to reach at least the semis with his lefty game and grass court brilliance.

Mannarino rolled to the final again but was upset by young American Zachary Svajda, a 22 year old from La Jolla, CA who could be mistaken for a ballboy he looks so young and unassuming.

The WTA doubles title was won by two American black sisters Carmen and Ivana Corley, two players I had never heard of before. They were the 4 seeds and ranked 354 in the world.

The ATP doubles was won by the young team from Ohio State University, Robert Cash and JJ Tracy. The top seeds are ranked 139 ATP and have been scoring a lot of wins in the last year, including Sarasota Open Challenger in April.

Yes, the 2025 Newport Hall of Fame Open was a smashing success. Big names or superstar players like Andy Murray or John Isner or Lleyton Hewitt are not needed for this special little pro tournament to succeed. The tennis sells itself. And there is no better location city, venue or atmosphere that exceeds the one and only Newport, Rhode Island.

Several Hall of Fame inductees have said after their first ever visit to Newport that they wish they had played the tournament during their careers. Let that be a valuable lesson tennis enthusiasts – don’t make the mistake of not visiting the wonderful Hall of Fame Open the second week of July next summer. It may even become your favorite tennis experience.

Adrian Mannarino · Caty Mcnally · Hall of Fame Open · Newport · Tatiana Maria · Zachary Svajda

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