News

NEWPORT, R.I. — Grass court season for the professional tennis tours officially got underway this week, and soon some of the top players on the ATP World Tour will pack up their tennis bags and head to Newport, Rhode Island to the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the only pro tournament played on grass courts in North America, which will be hosted July 9 – 15, 2012 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

This year’s tournament promises to deliver incredible action as it features one of the strongest player fields ever to come to Newport. Committed 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. Off the courts, great special events including tennis clinics, a fashion show, and a military appreciation day complement the action and make it fun for the whole family! Topping it all off will be the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on July 14, in which the highest honor in tennis – induction to the Hall of Fame, will be presented to former world No. 1’s Jennifer Capriati and Guga Kuerten, Spanish tennis great Manuel Orantes, tennis industry innovator Mike Davies, and wheelchair tennis champion Randy Snow, who will be inducted posthumously. 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. Tickets for the tournament and all special events are available now on tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-6053.

Festivities begin on July 7 – 8 with Family Weekend and Qualifying Rounds a kick-off event for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships that features activities for all ages in the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and on the historic grass tennis courts from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., as well as opportunity to see pro tennis action up close as players compete for the remaining spots in the main draw. A highlight of the event will be a special appearance by The Rossetti Brothers, the dynamic duo who set the Guinness World Record for the longest tennis rally ever – 24,944 strokes over 14 and a half hours! The Rossetti’s will host a special presentation for kids at 11 a.m. each day, focused on the importance of believing in one’s dreams, followed by a tennis clinic at 12 p.m. each day. Also on the grass courts, kids are invited to try a hand at 10 & Under Tennis, a USTA developed program that uses special equipment to introduce the game to kids ages 4 – 10, and Junior Tennis Clinics, designed for ages 8 – 16, to be led by Hall of Fame Tennis Club professionals. Reservations are required for tennis clinics and may be made by calling 401-849-6053.

Inside the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Family Weekend activities will include Museum tours, scavenger hunts, face-painting, Wii tennis, tennis-themed crafts, and dress up with photos in old-fashion tennis costumes.

Simultaneously to the Family Weekend activities, pro tennis players from around the world will take to the legendary grass courts for the Qualifying Tournament, when they vie for a playing spot in the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. The two-day tournament offers a great chance to see world-class pro tennis action up close! Play begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 7 and 12 p.m. 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. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling 401-849-6053 or on tennisfame.com.

The family fun continues on Monday, July 9, which is Kids Day at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships! Young, aspiring tennis players are in for quite a treat on Kids Day, which will feature an exclusive tennis clinic with an ATP World Tour pro, along with tickets to watch tennis for the day and to tour the museum. Tickets are $35 and are limited. Open to juniors ages 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased by calling 401-849-6053 or on tennisfame.com.

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. Tennis shoes are required.

Also on Tuesday, July 10, Kia Motors will host Kia Day at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, featuring center court promotions and prizes, including the “Fan of the Day” contest.

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 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, this annually anticipated event will showcase the designer fashions of Angela Moore, Lilly Puilitzer, Manual Canovas, Jack Rogers and other popular summer collections. Now in its 134th year, the event will feature commentary by designer Angela Moore and modeling done by ATP World Tour players and local celebrities. Tickets for the event are $80, which includes the seated Champagne Breakfast and Fashion Show, a full day of courtside viewing for the tennis tournament and a $15 Angela Moore gift certificate. Tickets are $70 for Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which includes priority seating and a $20 gift certificate. This event will sell out, and tickets are available now on tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-6053.

Friday, July 13 will be Military Appreciation Day at the tournament. Tickets for all active duty military, veterans, and their families will be half-price – just $17.50, rather than $35. Tickets include access to all four quarterfinal matches scheduled to be played that day. In addition, between the four matches, the tournament will host a Center Court Salute to the Armed Services, paying tribute to all branches of the service. Discounted tickets for military may be purchased by calling 401-849-6053.

On the weekend, tennis legends will gather in Newport to celebrate the Hall of Fame induction of the Class of 2012, honoring 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. The Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 14 at 12 p.m. Tickets to be part of this exciting moment in tennis history are $60 – $75, and include both the ceremony and the tournament’s semifinal matches. Tickets may be purchased on tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-6053.

The Hall of Fame Weekend festivities will continue on Sunday, July 15 with an exhibition match featuring tennis legends back in action and a rare opportunity to dine and chat with tennis legends at the Brooks Brothers Lunch with Legends.

On Sunday, July 15 at 10 a.m. fans will have the rare opportunity to see three-time French Open champion, former world No. 1, and 2012 Hall of Famer Guga Kuerten back in action once again, when he takes to the Hall of Fame grass courts for the Hall of Fame Classic Exhibition Match. Also playing with Kuerten will be former ATP World Tour star Todd Martin, who was a top-10 player on the Tour at the same time as Kuerten. Additional players for the exhibition match will be announced shortly. Tickets are $35, $40 and $45 and are available now on tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-6053.

After the exhibition, fans are invited to enjoy a luncheon and tennis talk with legendary Hall of Famers in the Brooks Brothers Lunch with Legends. Hall of Famers from a variety of backgrounds including athletes, journalists and administrators will join fans for a luncheon and to share some of their favorite tennis stories, discuss current news of the game, and take questions from the audience. The luncheon begins at 12 pm. Tickets are $75 and are available now on tennisfame.com or by calling 401-849-6053.

A “Sunday Special” ticket including the Exhibition Match, Brooks Brothers Lunch with Legends, and the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships Finals is available for $130 – $150.

For additional information about the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and the many special events throughout the week, please call the Tournament Office at 401-849-6053 or visit tennisfame.com.