News

Newport, R.I. — Ryan Sweeting, who just completed a dream week of going from wild card entry to champion at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston will compete in the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I., July 4 – 10, 2011. Sweeting joins a growing player field for Newport that features some of this season’s most exciting players, including defending champion Mardy Fish, who recently rose to the position of No.1 American; rising star young American Ryan Harrison who advanced to the fourth round at Indian Wells and put up a fight against Roger Federer that ended via tie break; and Ivo Karlovic, who famously fired the fastest serve in history in March (156 mph) and has been rising through the rankings during his comeback season after being sidelined due to injury last year.

“Ryan is a young American on the move and a great addition to our player field,” said Mark L. Stenning, tournament director of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. “With our defending champion and top American Mardy Fish, as well as two rising American stars in Ryan Harrison and Ryan Sweeting, along with Ivo Karlovic, who is always exciting to watch, we can anticipate a great week of tennis for Newport fans to enjoy.”

Sweeting cracked the top 100 of the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings for the first time in his career in January after qualifying for and making it to the second round at the Australian Open. Following his win in Houston last week, Sweeting jumped 26 positions from world No. 93 to world No 67.

His Houston victory came in his first ATP World Tour final, his previous best result being the quarter-finals at Delray Beach earlier this year. En route to the final in Houston, Sweeting upset No. 2 seed Sam Querrey in the second round, came from a set behind to beat Teymuraz Gabashvili, in the quarter-finals, and defeated the tournament’s past champion Karlovic in the semi-finals. In the finals, he defeated No. 6 seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the youngest ATP World Tour final this season – Sweeting is 23, Nishikori is 21.

This will be Sweeting’s first appearance in Newport.

The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will be played July 4 – 10, 2011. The tournament, which immediately follows Wimbledon, draws 32 top ATP World Tour players and is hosted on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It is the only grass court pro tournament in North America and the only men’s ATP World Tour event in the Northeast. Tickets for tournament are on sale now. Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame save 30% on all tickets for Monday – Thursday sessions. To purchase tickets or learn more about the tournament or Hall of Fame membership, visit tennisfame.com or call 401-849-6053 or 866-914-FAME (3263).

A highlight of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will be the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 12:00 p.m., prior to the tournament’s semi-final matches. The one and only Andre Agassi, former world No. 1, eight-time grand slam champion, and one of the most revered athletes in history is the sole inductee in the Recent Player Category. In the Contributor Category, Peachy Kellmeyer, who was the very first employee and director of the WTA in 1973 and still serves the organization today, will be inducted for her immense contributions in the development of women’s tennis. Additionally, a variety of special events including Family Weekend, free tennis lessons, and the Angela Moore Fashion Show will complement another exciting week of ATP World Tour tennis.

For additional information, please call the Tournament Office at 401-849-6053 or 866-914-FAME (3263) or visit tennisfame.com.