Final U.S. Open Warmup Moves From Connecticut to North Carolina

December 13, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Ball_on_Racquet_Pic_0

The men’s tennis tuneup before the U.S. Open is moving from New Haven, Conn. to Winston-Salem, N.C., beginning in August 2011. The USTA and ATP World Tour announced that the 48-draw event will be played in a new tennis facility on Wake Forest’s campus. It’ll be held Aug. 21-27 and serve as the final warmup before year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

“We are thrilled this prestigious event is coming to Winston-Salem, a community that has embraced tennis events over the past several years,” said Don Flow, president of The Flow Companies and head of Winston-Salem Professional Tennis. “The entire community will embrace this event and the process has already begun with our corporate community stepping up, and with Wake Forest University being a major supporter of the event.”

It replaces the event that has been held in New Haven for many years and has been known as the Pilot Pen.

According to Flow, the entire Winston-Salem community has embraced the event. Local corporate partners who have signed as initial presenting sponsors of the tournament include BB&T Bank, Hanes Brands and the Flow Companies.

The Winston-Salem tournament will be held in a facility that will include a 3,500-seat center court and two show courts with seating of at least 1,500 fans each.

Winston-Salem, N.C. has hosted several Davis Cup events in recent years.

“We are thrilled about the ATP’s new home at Wake Forest University, and thank Don Flow and Winston-Salem Professional Tennis for bringing men’s professional tennis back to North Carolina,” said ATP Executive Chairman and President Adam Helfant. “Globally, the game is enjoying one of the most exciting periods in its history, and it’s terrific that the tour will visit Winston-Salem as part of its U.S. summer swing.”

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
Bethpage

March/April 2024 Digital Edition