10 reasons to attend the Mr. Rogers Windows Charlotte Clay Classic
Women’s pro tennis is back in Charlotte! This is your opportunity to see today’s world-ranked players and tomorrow’s future stars.
The event: The second annual Mr. Rogers Windows Charlotte Clay Classic. A $10,000 purse is up for grabs.
When: Qualifying rounds begin Sunday, June 7. The 32-woman main draw begins play Tuesday, June 9. Quarterfinal matches are Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12. The semifinals are held Saturday, June 13 and the finals will be held Sunday, June 14.
Check the most updated schedule here.
Where: Charlotte Indoor Tennis Club.
Why you want to go:
(1) The tournament is a USTA Pro Circuit event and is the only opportunity to see women’s professional tennis in Charlotte this summer. On hand are world-ranked players including touring pros and collegiate players.
(2) The level of play is incredible. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Caroline Wozniacki, Sam Querrey, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
Cover of @FT Weekend magazine on news stands tomorrow featuring life on tour and the evolution of #Sugarpova pic.twitter.com/2SCcoZT5Ro
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) May 22, 2015
(3) All event attendance is free of charge.
(4) This year’s field includes UNC Chapel Hill All American Caroline Price. Price is the daughter of former Hornets Assistant coach and new Charlotte 49rs basketball coach, Mark Price. Caroline Price (below) will compete in singles.
(5) A special celebrity pro-am match will be held on Monday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. Charlotte Observer sports columnist Scott Fowler teams with WTA 423 ranked doubles player Sophie Chang in a mixed doubles match. They will compete against two-time Australian Open winner Johan Kriek (below)
and one of the top 13-year-olds in the country, south Charlotte’s Jenna Thompson (below).
(6) Proceeds from the week-long tournament will be donated to the Special Olympics of Mecklenburg County.
(7) Your proximity to the players is unparalleled. With bleachers right next to the court, you’ll be close enough to the action to make your own line calls.
(8) You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and chat with players after their matches.
(9) You can check out the latest tennis fashions, since you’ll be so close to the athletes.
(10) Did I mention that this event is free to attend?
Photos by USTA, GoHeels.Com, Johan Kriek Tennis Academy, NCAA, Daily Tarheel
This story was originally published June 6, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "10 reasons to attend the Mr. Rogers Windows Charlotte Clay Classic."