John Isner
NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, an ATP World Tour event, will be held July 9 - 15 at Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. The tournament draws 32 top male players to Newport direct from Wimbledon to compete for the Van Alen Cup and nearly $400,000 in prize money. These championships are the only ATP World Tour event played on grass in the Americas.
In addition to exciting pro tennis, the week features numerous special events, ranging from tennis clinics and family activities to the Angela Moore Fashion Show.
A highlight of the week will be the Class of 2012 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on July 14, which will honor former world No. 1’s Jennifer Capriati and Guga Kuerten, as well as Spanish tennis great Manuel Orantes, tennis industry innovator and promoter Mike Davies, and wheelchair tennis star Randy Snow, who will be inducted posthumously.
This year’s tournament promises to deliver incredible action as it features one of the strongest player fields ever to come to Newport. Players include world No. 10 and No. 1 American John Isner, 11-time Grand Slam champions, the Bryan Brothers, Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Canada’s Milos Raonic, both ranked in the world Top 25, and Aussie tennis great and former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
The weekend will also offer a rare chance to see some of the Hall of Famers, including Guga Kuerten, back in action in the Hall of Fame Exhibition Match on Sunday, July 15. Festivities begin this weekend, July 7 – 8, with activities for all ages from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., as well as an opportunity to see pro tennis action up close as players compete for the remaining spots in the main draw.
A highlight will be a special appearance by the duo who set the Guinness World Record for the longest tennis rally ever – 24,944 strokes over 14 and a half hours. There will be a special presentation for kids at 11 a.m. each day, followed by a tennis clinic at noon each day. Reservations are requested for tennis clinics.
Also this weekend, pro tennis players from around the world will take to the legendary grass courts for the Qualifying Tournament, vying for a spot in the championships. Play begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 7 and noon on Sunday, July 8. Admission to Family Weekend and the Qualifying Tournament is $5 for children and $12 for adults, and free for Hall of Fame Members.
Family fun continues on Monday, July 9, which is Kids Day. Aspiring tennis players age 12 and under can attend a tennis clinic with an ATP World Tour pro, plus watch the tennis action for the day.
On Monday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 10, teaching professionals from the United States Professional Tennis Association will offer free tennis lessons for ticketed tournament guests on the Hall of Fame grass courts. Lessons will be on a first-come, first-served basis. A new lesson will begin every 30 minutes, and groups will be coordinated by age.
The popular Angela Moore Fashion Show & Champagne Breakfast returns on Thursday, July 12 from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Hosted on the historic Horseshoe Piazza, this annual event showcases the designer fashions of Angela Moore, Lilly Pulitzer, Manuel Canovas, Jack Rogers and other popular summer collections, with commentary by Moore and modeling by ATP World Tour players and local celebrities. Tickets for the event are $80, which includes the seated Champagne Breakfast and Fashion Show and a full day of courtside tennis viewing.
Friday, July 13 will be Military Appreciation Day, with tickets for all active-duty military, veterans, and their families half-price – $17.50. The tournament that day will host a Center Court Salute to the Armed Services, paying tribute to all branches of the service.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 14 at noon. Tickets are $60 - $75.
Festivities will continue on Sunday, July 15 at 10 a.m. with an exhibition match featuring three-time French Open champion, former world No. 1, and 2012 Hall of Famer Guga Kuerten and former ATP World Tour star Todd Martin, who was a
Top 10 player on the tour at the same time as Kuerten. After the exhibition, fans are invited to enjoy a luncheon and tennis talk as Hall of Famers including athletes and journalists join fans to share some of their favorite tennis stories, discuss current news of the game, and take questions. The luncheon begins at noon, and tickets are $75.
To purchase tickets, or for additional information about the Championships and special events, call the Tournament Office at 849-6053 or visit tennisfame.com.
